Green tea for heart health and longevity

 Researchers studied green tea’s ability to improve heart health and longevity in several key ways:

Improved Endothelial Function - Green tea has been shown to enhance the function of endothelial cells, which are essential for the health of blood vessel walls. This improvement in endothelial cell function contributes to more flexible and relaxed arteries, facilitating efficient expansion during blood flow. Research, including a study conducted by Dr. Nikolaos Alexopoulos and colleagues, demonstrates that green tea intake leads to a rapid enhancement in endothelial function, which is vital in preventing atherosclerosis. Furthermore, green tea's effect on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery in healthy individuals has been noted, indicating its role in diminishing cardiovascular risk. A specific study involving 14 healthy participants revealed that green tea consumption significantly increased FMD by 3.69% (peak at 30 minutes), underlining its acute positive impact on endothelial function and, by extension, cardiovascular health (ref, ref, ref, ref, ref)

Association with CVD and All Cause Mortality – Several studies have demonstrated the potential longevity benefits of green tea. Zhao et al. (2017) found that green tea intake was inversely associated with all-cause and CVD mortality in Chinese adults, particularly among never-smokers. In a pooled analysis of eight Japanese cohort studies, Abe et al. (2019) observed that higher green tea consumption was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality, heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease mortality. A dose-response meta-analysis by Tang et al. (2015) revealed that green tea consumption was significantly inversely associated with CVD and all-cause mortality. Overall, these findings suggest that regular green tea consumption may contribute to a lower risk of mortality due to various causes, particularly CVD.

Extending Species Lifespan – Green tea and its extract, EGCG, extended the lifespan of mice, fruit flies and C elegans, though not every experiment showed life extension (2021, 2014, 2012).

FOXO3 Activation – Emerging research suggests that EGCG may influence longevity at a genetic level. EGCG has been found to activate FOXO3, a gene integral to regulating the aging process. Additionally, FOXO3 variants have been associated with human longevity in certain populations, and studies have shown that FOXO3 polymorphisms correlate with reduced morbidity from age-related diseases like cardiovascular disease in long-lived individuals (ref, ref, ref, ref, ref).

JAK/STAT Inhibition – Daily consumption of hot green tea or its extract EGCG has been reported to inhibit the inflammatory JAK/STAT pathway across multiple health conditions. A 2018 study found that EGCG reduces JAK2 expression in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. EGCG supplementation induced complete molecular remission in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia case (2015). Furthermore, EGCG has been found to inhibit specific IFN-γ pathways and JAK2 in alopecia areata patients (an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss) (2018). It also demonstrated potential in vitiligo (an autoimmune skin condition) treatment by inhibiting JAK2 activity (2015). Green tea reduced obesity associated inflammation by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 in mice (2020).