"...tea extract cut total cholesterol by 11%..."

Failed at cutting your cholesterol with a low-fat diet? Try tea. New research confirms that extracts of black tea-the kind you get in Lipton or Tetley-can help reduce cholesterol. And now experts know why.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University tested 240 people with mild to moderate high cholesterol who were on a low-fat diet. Half took a daily black tea extract with polyphenols called theaflavins (equal to 7 cups); the other half took a placebo. After 12 weeks, those on and LDL-the bad cholesterol-by an amazing 16%, compared with no change in the other group. "Over time, that could translate into a 16 to 24% reduction in risk of heart attack and stroke," says David Maron, MD, cardiologist and lead researcher.

"Black tea theaflavins may help people who can't lower their LDL enough with diet alone, but whose level isn't high enough for drugs," says Maron.

Prevention Magazine, Nov 2003