TEA CONSUMPTION, LIPID-METABOLISM, AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS

The use of tea is derived from the Far East and was introduced into Eu rope, where in some countries tea soon became a favorite drink. Tea ac counts for about 43% of all caffeine consumption. Total world caffeine consumption in 1981 was estimated to be approximately 120,000 tons, e quivalent to 70 mg a day for each human. There is evidence from in vit ro and animal studies, as well as from human investigations, that tea and its main constituents can prevent atherosclerosis to a certain ext ent. Supplementing tea as beverage instead of coffee might react benef icially with other antiatherosclerotic strategies. Investigations on t he hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic action of tea, and therefore flavonoid intake, are still in their infancy and further fundamental d ata from controlled trials are needed to evaluate possible positive ef fects of tea consumption to prevent or treat atherosclerosis. Brief in formation on the biological potential of caffeine and flavonoids, as w ell as on their possible beneficial effects on the atherosclerotic pro cess is documented in this review.