A cup of tea a day could keep the doctor away: Earl Grey tea 'reduces heart disease'

Earl Grey tea could be highly influential in reducing the risk of heart disease, according to scientists. New research has found that bergamot extract, which is an important component of the tea blend, helps to lower cholesterol. This could help to protect against cardiovascular illness, which are responsible for over 25 per cent of UK deaths.

Scientists from the University of Calabria, Italy, found that bergamot contains hydroxy methyl glutaryl flavonoids (HMGF) enzymes, which attack a number of proteins that can contribute to heart disease. Bergamot is the ingredient within Earl Grey tea that gives it its distinctive flavour, meaning that having a daily dose of the beverage could provide protection.

Published in the 'Journal of functional Foods', the study suggested that taking a daily dose of HMGF could help to lower bad cholesterol - low-density proteins (LDL) - and be just as effective at statins in doing so. HMGF was also found to increase the amount of good cholesterol - high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

Bergamot has long been part of the Mediterranean diet, which is known to be one of the healthiest diets and to help cut down the chance of cardiovascular disease. It is often used in traditional forms of medicine for the treatment of inflammation, wounds and as an antiseptic, as well as for heart protection.

While the extract is available in supplement form, it could also be beneficial for those at risk of heart disease to drink several cups of Earl Grey tea each day in order to benefit from its protective qualities.

The study follows on from previous research, performed by the University of Catanzaro, Italy, in 2012, which found that bergamot could help to protect against diabetes and aid with weight loss. This means that the fruit could have a number of health benefits.

Despite the fruit being likened to statins in terms of heart protection by lowering LDL, it is thought that statins also have other health benefits, including being an effective treatment for men suffering from erectile dysfunction.