Unilever, the world’s biggest tea company, produces numerous well-known tea brands such as Lipton, Pure Leaf, TAZO, Pukka, PG Tips, and Red Rose, among others. Our legacy in crafting exceptional teas traces back to the 1800s, when Sir Thomas Lipton embarked on his journey as a tea merchant in Scotland and later in New Jersey. Tea, an ancient beverage with a history spanning thousands of years, holds the distinction of being the second most consumed drink globally, surpassed only by water.
American Heart Health Month
February marks American Heart Health Month, providing an opportune moment to take a step back and contemplate how your diet and lifestyle contribute to the well-being of your heart, as well as that of your loved ones. Engaging in regular exercise, ensuring sufficient sleep, and adopting a heart-healthy diet are all impactful ways to nurture your heart. This includes incorporating unsweetened Lipton black or green tea into your routine.
Tea and Heart Health
As per the American Heart Association, almost half of all adults in the United States suffer from heart disease. One effective approach to promoting a healthy heart is to consume unsweetened tea. Extensive scientific research supports the notion that daily consumption of unsweetened brewed green or black tea, whether hot or iced, can contribute to a healthy heart. In fact, a comprehensive study conducted in 2020, sponsored by Unilever, examining the relationship between tea and heart disease, revealed that incorporating tea into a balanced diet may be associated with reduced risks of death from heart disease among adults.1
Unsweetened Tea Can Help Support a Healthy Heart
To begin with, unsweetened tea consists of more than 99% water, making it a valuable contribution to fulfilling daily fluid requirements that are crucial for circulatory functions. Additionally, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize the importance of reducing added sugar intake to lower the risk of heart disease in adults. By simply replacing sugar-sweetened beverages or other nutritionally poor drinks with unsweetened tea, individuals can effectively reduce their consumption of added sugars.
Moreover, tea stands out as one of the finest sources of flavonoids in our diet. Flavonoids are natural compounds found in tea, wine, cocoa, fruits, and vegetables, and have long been associated with cardiovascular benefits. A cup of unsweetened brewed Lipton green tea contains approximately 150mg of flavonoids, while black tea contains around 170mg per cup. Consuming 2-3 cups of tea daily, providing 200-500mg of flavonoids, aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and can contribute to maintaining a healthy heart. It’s worth noting that decaffeinated brewed green or black tea also offers this advantage!
Beverages Matter
The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020-2025) highly recommend unsweetened tea as an excellent beverage choice due to its calorie-free nature and absence of added sugars. These guidelines specifically highlight unsweetened iced tea as a preferred option to accompany well-balanced and nutrient-rich meals. Lipton offers a wide range of unsweetened tea choices for you to select from. Remember to opt for unsweetened green or black tea as your next beverage preference, as it can have positive effects on your heart health.
For healthcare professionals seeking additional information and inspiration, we invite you to explore our new Communications Toolkit and Tea and Health Healthcare Professional toolkit.
Reference:
- Chung M, Zhao N, Wang D, et al. Dose-Response Relationship Between Tea Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Studies. Advances in Nutrition. 2020 Feb 19:1–25.