This 4p hot drink could slash cholesterol levels and reduce heart attack and stroke risk

For as little as four pence a cup, one popular drink could bolster your heart health. Mounting evidence suggests that green tea not only protects your heart by cutting cholesterol levels but also reduces the risk of serious events like strokes and heart attacks.

Boasting health-friendly compounds, this brew could be a lifesaver for those with high cholesterol - a condition marked by too much of the fatty substance in your bloodstream, leading to potentially life-threatening blockages. Diet plays a huge part in managing cholesterol levels, and naturally, some foods and drinks can send them soaring, while others like green tea are hailed for their ability to bring them down.

One study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association in 2011, pinpointed catechins - a type of polyphenol abundant in green tea - as the key ingredient behind a "significant" drop in both overall and "bad" LDL cholesterol, although "good" HDL cholesterol and triglycerides seemed impervious to its effects.

As reported by GloucestershireLive, the study's authors noted: "The consumption of green tea catechins is associated with a statistically significant reduction in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels; however, there was no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [‘good’ cholesterol] or triglyceride levels."

A 2020 study also put the spotlight on green tea as a potential cholesterol-busting beverage, according to findings published in the Nutrition Journal. The comprehensive analysis, which scrutinised data from over 3,000 individuals, revealed: "Thirty-one trials with a total of 3,321 subjects were included in the meta-analysis.

"In general, green tea intake significantly lowered the total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels compared with those in the control." It also stated: "Green tea consumption did not affect high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; however, it reduced the triglycerides compared with that in the control."

These effects were observed irrespective of participants' weight, prompting calls for further research involving diverse populations and longer study periods. In addition, Teresa Fung, an adjunct professor of nutrition at Harvard Medical School, has pointed out the wider health advantages of green tea's catechins, which may include reducing risks of heart problems, cancer, stabilising blood sugar, and promoting oral health. She suggests drinking three cups daily for optimal benefits.

For those worried about their cholesterol, it's advisable to consult with a GP. Meanwhile, Tesco is selling a 20-pack of green tea bags for just 75p, amounting to a mere 3.75p per cup.

To combat high cholesterol, the NHS advises quitting smoking, eating fewer fatty foods, reducing alcohol intake, and increasing physical activity.