Science / Medicine : Tea, Cholesterol Level Linked

A preliminary study suggests that tea drinking may result in increased levels of total blood serum cholesterol, a researcher told food technologists. Elevated blood serum cholesterol levels have been identified as a risk factor for development of heart disease.

A study of nine women showed they had an increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol after they drank several cups of tea per day, while their high-density cholesterol levels were unchanged, said Constance Kies of the University of Nebraska.

Low-density cholesterol is believed to be a culprit in the formation of artery-clogging deposits, while high-density cholesterol is considered beneficial because it may help remove such deposits. In a report to the Institute of Food Technologists’ convention, Kies said she recorded a 3.6% increase in blood serum cholesterol after two weeks of tea drinking, with a 4.1% increase in low-density cholesterol.