Abstract
Tea is a ubiquitous and staple beverage for many people globally. It is well documented that mental well being and cardiovascular health are both recognized as being important in determining general health. The two are intricately linked as people with mental health issues are more likely to have heart disease. We systematically searched the PubMed database and selected studies by predefined eligibility criteria. The reviewed studies presented a large body of evidence indicating that black tea drinking could benefit markers of heart health, including vascular and endothelial function. There is emerging evidence that tea drinking (black and green) and aromatic inhalation of certain teas (e.g., Darjeeling and Assam teas) could aid relaxation, lower stress, dementia risk and cognitive decline and potentially improve attention and psychomotor speed in advanced age. Further human trials are warranted.
Highlights
An excess of people suffer from mental health issues contributing to one of the largest proportions of the global disease burden [1]
Publications were included if they used tea (Camellia sinensis) and studied specified health outcomes related to the mind and heart
Tea and the mind: At least four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have focused on tea ingestion in relation to outcomes related to the mind (Table 1)
Summary
An excess of people suffer from mental health issues contributing to one of the largest proportions of the global disease burden [1]. The world health organization recognizes that there is “no health without mental health”, reporting that mental conditions are responsible for 30-40% of chronic sick leave and around 3% of Gross Domestic Product with action needed in this important field [2]. In the United Kingdom (UK) it was reported in 2021 that around 1 in 4 people experience mental health issues at some point in the year and 1 in 6 experienced a mental health issue weekly [3]. Poor mental health is projected to cost the world economy $6 trillion by 2030 due to poor health and reduced productivity [4]. Ten predominant CVD risk factors are well recognized which include: unhealthy nutrition, obesity, physical inactivity, and genetics e.g., familial hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, smoking, thrombosis, kidney dysfunction and risk to specific populations (gender, older age, and race/ethnicity) [7]
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