It is believed that free radicals are the cause of heart disease, some kinds of cancer and increase the risk of strokes. We all take in fats and occasionally treat ourselves with the odd high cholesterol treat, they are a part of life. In order to remain healthy we must manage our levels. Green Tea acts to reduce cholesterol levels and regular consumption is therefore recommended.

Recent research has shown the following:

• Anti-oxidants may have curative properties that inhibit the development of heart disease and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack
• Tea flavonoids increase coronary flow and promote healthy blood vessel functionality  
• Consuming tea lowers cholesterol levels.

In 2004 a report by Sano J, Inami S, Seimiya K, Ohba T, Sakai S, Takano T, Mizuno K. concluded that Green Tea consumption was associated with a lower incidence of CAD in the present study population in Japan. Therefore, the more Green Tea patients consume, the less likely they are to have Coronary Artery Disease.
A long term study in Japan found, tea drinkers consuming more than 230gms of tea per day had significantly less risk of dying from heart disease and a lower rate of first heart attacks than those who drank less tea. Men in the study whose antioxidant intake was greatest had one-third the risk of death from coronary heart disease than those who consumed minimal levels.

One study in Japan found an average decrease of eight total cholesterol levels for men with the highest daily intake of Green Tea, compared to ones with the lowest.

In 2004 a study in China (Yang YC, Lu FH, Wu JS, Wu CH, Chang CJ.) showed habitual moderate strength Green or Oolong Tea consumption for 1 year, significantly reduces the risk of developing High Blood Pressure (hypertension) in the Chinese population.