Drinking tea may help people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) live longer, according to a study published on January 13 in Renal Failure. The study highlights how tea consumption might lower the risk of death in CKD patients, particularly those in the early stages of the disease.
A research team led by Jin Li, Ph.D., from Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, analyzed data from 17,575 CKD patients collected over two decades through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2018). During the follow-up period, researchers tracked 5,835 deaths, including 1,823 deaths related to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Key Findings
The study found that drinking up to four cups of tea per day was linked to a reduced risk of death from all causes for patients with early-stage CKD (stages 1 and 2).
After adjusting for other factors that could influence health outcomes, the researchers observed that these tea drinkers had an 11% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those who never drank tea.
However, the protective effect of tea against cardiovascular-related deaths was less clear and not statistically significant.
The study also revealed a dose-response relationship, meaning that the benefits of tea increased with moderate consumption. Drinking three to five cups of tea per day showed the greatest reduction in mortality risk, particularly in CKD stages 1 and 2.
For each additional cup of oxidized tea consumed daily, there was a 10% lower risk of death from any cause in patients with early CKD.
Replacing one cup of green tea with one cup of oxidized tea, such as black or oolong tea, further reduced the risk of all-cause and CVD-related mortality. Specifically, replacing green tea with oxidized tea reduced all-cause mortality by 8% and CVD mortality by 11%.
Recommendations for CKD Patients
Based on these findings, the researchers suggest that CKD patients can benefit from moderate tea consumption but should limit their intake to no more than four cups per day. They also recommend choosing oxidized teas like black or oolong tea and avoiding sugary varieties to maximize the health benefits.
Analysis of the Study
This study sheds light on the potential protective effects of tea for CKD patients, particularly in the early stages of the disease. It aligns with previous research suggesting that tea, especially oxidized varieties, contains antioxidants and other compounds that may improve heart health and reduce inflammation.
These benefits are particularly important for CKD patients, who often face a higher risk of cardiovascular complications.
However, it’s important to note that the study focused on observational data, meaning it cannot prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between tea consumption and reduced mortality.
Other lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, and access to healthcare, may also influence the results. Additionally, the study did not explore the impact of excessive tea consumption, which could potentially worsen kidney health due to caffeine or other compounds.
Despite these limitations, the findings offer a promising and accessible strategy for CKD patients to improve their health. Future research, including controlled clinical trials, could help confirm these results and clarify the mechanisms behind tea’s protective effects.
Until then, moderate tea consumption appears to be a safe and potentially beneficial choice for CKD patients looking to support their health.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about how to protect your kidneys from diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and eating nuts linked to lower risk of chronic kidney disease and death.
The research findings can be found in Renal Failure.
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