Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of one in three women – but about 80% of these diseases can be prevented. Lifestyle choices are a defining factor, in particular not smoking, regular exercise, and eating in a way that supports heart health.
At Purpose Tea, we’re passionate about helping women and our ready-to-drink purple tea offers multiple heart-healthy components. Nature makes it that way!
This new cultivar of the common tea leaf, Camellia sinensis, is related to black, white, and green teas. Grown only in Kenya and at high altitudes, purple tea is bursting with high levels of polyphenols that work in multiple ways to boost heart health. Purple tea serves up 16.5% polyphenols, compared to other teas, which average 10%. But that’s only the beginning of this story. Let’s explore.
Fabulous Flavonoids
Polyphenols have two general classes. One of them, called flavonoids, is a powerful antioxidant, and Purpose Tea is loaded with them! Flavonoids shine in several studies, which highlight the protective effect of dietary flavonoids against coronary heart disease. This appears to happen because they prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein. That reduces the risk for the development of atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in and on artery walls, which restricts blood flow.
All About Anthocyanins
Digging deeper, we find heart-healthy anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid and class of antioxidants. Anthocyanins give foods red-orange and purple-blue colors, like Purpose Tea. A 2019 meta-analysis suggested that consuming anthocyanins reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and associated risk of death. Other studies illustrate how they improve risk factors, like cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and blood pressure. One study found that people with the highest anthocyanin intake were 9% less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease and 8% less likely to die from causes associated with heart disease, compared to those with the lowest intake. Anthocyanins are amazing!
Catch Some Catechins
Purple tea contains exceptionally high levels of catechins, another kind of flavonoid. That matters to your heart because catechins are antioxidative, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting, and more! Multiple studies have found that the more catechins your consumer through tea, the lower the risk of coronary heart disease.
The ABCs of EGCG
It might sound like a club in New York, but EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is actually a type of catechin found abundantly in purple tea. This polyphenol offers a laundry list of cardiovascular benefits! As an antioxidant EGCG reduces free radicals in the body. Those bad guys are involved in many health problems, including cardiovascular disease. Next, EGCG also reduces blood vessel inflammation and plaque formation in and on them. It lowers bad cholesterol, reduces heart stress, lowers inflammation, and so much more.
Have we made the case for purple tea as a powerful heart-healthy drink? Drinking this delicious beverage is one way you can take charge of your own health and commit to healthier living. Cheers!