title: Green tea and cardiovascular disease: from molecular targets towards human health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize current knowledge of the protective effects of green tea and green tea constituents, particularly catechins, on the cardiovascular system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consumption of green tea has been inversely associated with the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors. Mechanisms that have been suggested as being involved in the antiatherosclerotic effects of green tea consumption primarily entail antioxidative, antiinflammatory, antiproliferative, and antithrombotic properties, as well as beneficial effects on endothelial function. Moreover, evidence exists for myocardial effects of tea constituents, including positive inotropic and antihypertrophic effects, and beneficial impact in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Green tea represents a promising tool for the prevention of cardiovascular disorders.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Angiologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicoline
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jochmann
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stangl
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001628:Beverages; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin