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  • Review
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Black tea – helpful or harmful? A review of the evidence

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 61, pages 3–18 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To consider whether consumption of black tea has a positive or negative impact on health.

Design:

Databases were searched for relevant epidemiological and clinical studies published between 1990 and 2004.

Results:

Clear evidence was found for coronary heart disease (CHD), where an intake of ⩾3 cups per day related to risk reduction. The mechanism could involve the antioxidant action of tea polyphenols. While experimental models have suggested that flavonoids attenuated cancer risk, epidemiological studies failed to demonstrate a clear effect for tea, although there is moderate evidence for a slightly positive or no effect of black tea consumption on colorectal cancer. Studies on cancer were limited by sample sizes and insufficient control of confounders. There is moderate evidence suggestive of a positive effect of black tea consumption on bone mineral density although studies were few. There is little evidence to support the effect of tea on dental plaque inhibition but evidence to support the contribution of tea to fluoride intakes and thus theoretical protection against caries. There was no credible evidence that black tea (in amounts typically consumed) was harmful. Normal hydration was consistent with tea consumption when the caffeine content was <250 mg per cup. A moderate caffeine intake from tea appeared to improve mental performance, although sample sizes were small. There was no evidence that iron status could be harmed by tea drinking unless populations were already at risk from anaemia.

Conclusions:

There was sufficient evidence to show risk reduction for CHD at intakes of ⩾3 cups per day and for improved antioxidant status at intakes of one to six cups per day. A maximum intake of eight cups per day would minimise any risk relating to excess caffeine consumption. Black tea generally had a positive effect on health.

Sponsorship:

The Tea Council. The authors confirm that the sponsors played no role in the writing of this review.

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Acknowledgements

The cost of researching and writing this paper was met by the Tea Council who approached Dr Ruxton in 2004 to review all recent evidence relating to black tea and health. A condition of receipt of the funding was that the sponsors would have no control or influence over the content of the paper, and the authors confirm that this is the case. Other declared interests: AR Leeds received an honorarium 8 years ago for serving as a member of a UK tea advisory board.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 39 Cornwall Ave, London, UK

    E J Gardner

  2. Nutrition Communications, Front Lebanon, Cupar, UK

    C H S Ruxton

  3. Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, King's College London, London, UK

    A R Leeds

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  1. E J Gardner
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  2. C H S Ruxton
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  3. A R Leeds
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Correspondence to C H S Ruxton.

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Guarantor: CHS Ruxton.

Contributors: EJG carried out the literature search; all authors wrote the paper.

Appendices

Appendix A

Search terms Table A1

Table 8 Table a1
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Appendix B

Ranked levels of evidence adapted from SIGN literature grading system (SIGN, 2001). Table B1

Table 9 Table a2
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Gardner, E., Ruxton, C. & Leeds, A. Black tea – helpful or harmful? A review of the evidence. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 3–18 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602489

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