The benefits wane if you do so less often.
The science:
For a newly published study, researchers asked people how often they drink green tea. During the eight-year follow-up period, those who did so at least three times per week had a 29 percent lower risk of early death than those who enjoyed it less often.
The findings support making a habit of drinking green tea.
Expert insight:
Green tea is full of polyphenols, which protect your cardiovascular system and could explain the beverage’s link to longevity, says study author Dongfeng Gu, MD, Ph.D., researcher at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing. Black tea may not have the same effect since it undergoes a fermentation process that destroys polyphenols.
Those micronutrients move through the body quickly, Gu notes. That’s why you need to drink green tea regularly to get the benefits.
The bottom line:
For longevity, drink green tea at least three times per week and brew it with filtered water. Gu suggests taking it plain; studies show adding milk or sugar can impact antioxidant activity.