After a heavy meal, blood lipid levels rise, triggering harmful substances—oxygen free radicals—that cause temporary hardening and constriction of blood vessels. This process is especially pronounced in patients with cardiovascular disease. Japanese researchers recently found that drinking a cup of tea after a meal can eliminate this harmful effect, because the antioxidants in tea leaves have the ability to scavenge free radicals, thus softening blood vessels and promoting blood flow.

In a large-scale study, researchers asked 10 healthy volunteers aged between 21 and 38 to consume a high-fat diet containing 79% fat. One group drank black tea after the meal, while the other group drank plain water. The results showed that the tea-drinking group had greater forearm blood flow, indicating that the antioxidants in tea help protect normal vascular function. Further tests also found that the antioxidant capacity in the blood of the tea drinkers was significantly enhanced.

Researchers point out that for heart disease patients, even a single high-fat meal can trigger a heart attack, while for healthy individuals, frequent consumption of high-fat foods can easily lead to atherosclerosis. Therefore, finding effective ways to eliminate the vascular pressure caused by fat intake is very important.