Terrabella Thornblade Blog

Tea for Heart Health: Which Brews Help Seniors and Which to Skip

Written by TerraBella Thorn Blade | Dec 8, 2025 5:00:00 AM

Holistic healing has a long history of using tea for heart health. The best teas for cardiovascular health are green tea, herbal tea, and rooibos tea. Avoid high caffeine and high sugar teas.

According to studies from the American Heart Association, as high as 98% of older adults above the age of 59 have at least two chronic diseases. Seeing how high this number is makes it clear how important it is for us to look into heart-smart drinks and cardiovascular wellness.

If you're curious about your health and retirement, Greer, SC, is the perfect spot for you. While we're known for our small-town charm, Greer is also growing at a healthy rate, ensuring you always have what you need around you. Whether you're here for the beauty of the mountains or the bustling town, we're proud to have you!

So, how does tea for heart health impact your wellness regimen? If you're curious about senior hydration tips, we're here to help. Read on to learn more about nutrition in assisted living.

How Does Tea Help?

Does tea actually help with health? Many people view tea as a holistic healer rather than having true medical benefits.

Saying "tea is healthy" is a bit too broad to be a fully true statement. The truth is that there are dozens of different types of teas, as well as different things that people add to teas. Because of this, a healthy tea can quickly become an unhealthy one, and vice versa.

According to Harvard Health, tea is part of a healthy and balanced diet. But what do you think of when you think of tea?

A great step to start is to speak to your community about what teas are common and available. At TerraBella Thornblade, our inclusive amenities offer chef-prepared diet-friendly meals to support a variety of dietary preferences.

The Best Teas for Health

With so many different types of tea, how can you know which ones are best for your health? We've gone ahead and made it easy by compiling a quick list of the best and worst. But make no mistake, there are many others that aren't on this list!

Here are some of the best teas for cardiovascular wellness.

Green Tea

Green tea is often seen as the most popular tea for heart health. It has a long culture, particularly from eastern nations, and has been used medicinally for thousands of years.

Green tea has a low caffeine content and is common among heart-smart drinks for people weaning themselves off of coffee. It's also typically an affordable tea and one that's easy to steep.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea, or red bush tea, is a caffeine-free tea native to South Africa. Rooibos is an herbal tea, which means it's made from herbal plants rather than traditional tea leaves.

According to Healthline, rooibos is well known for being rich in antioxidants. Many studies have suggested that it's associated with numerous other health benefits. Its lack of caffeine helps ensure your heart isn't being overworked.

Hibiscus Tea and Herbal Teas

Rooibos is far from the only herbal tea. If you can think of an herb, someone's made a tea out of it! These teas are critical for herbal support for aging seniors.

Herbal teas are generally higher in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. That isn't to say they're healthier than non-herbal teas, just that they're exceptionally healthy. Many people make mint or ginger teas to help with digestion, for example.

One of the most common herbal teas is hibiscus tea, made from hibiscus flowers. Hibiscus tea is a rich, slightly sweet tea that's deep red in color.

It's well-known for lowering blood pressure and helping to regulate our bodies. As such, it's also popular and common in senior living communities.

Teas to Avoid

Is every tea healthy? If your tea is unhealthy, it's likely from additives. Here are some things to avoid or minimize.

High-Sugar Teas

Many of us love a glass of sweet tea, but our bodies don't love the sugar. When you're making tea, consider limiting how much sugar you put in.

High sugar consumption is often seen as bad for your health. If you're dealing with diabetes, this can cause significant problems.

High-Caffeine Teas

Have you ever found yourself shaky after your fifth cup of coffee? High-caffeine teas can cause the same! Limit your intake of caffeine-high teas, such as:

  • Green tea
  • Black tea
  • Oolong teas
  • Yerba Mate

These teas aren't unhealthy, but multiple cups of them can cause you to have too much caffeine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Drink Too Much Tea?

Typically speaking, there's no such thing as "too much tea." However, some things can cause complications.

Some teas will work as diuretics, for example. That means that over-consuming the tea will mean more trips to the bathroom, which is a problem late at night.

Caffeinated teas are also easy to drink too much of. While the tea itself poses no issue, the caffeine intake can become problematic.

Will Tea Replace My Medicine?

Never let anything replace your medicine unless your doctor has specifically said so. Do not view tea as a replacement for your medicine.

Instead, view it as a supplement to your usual regimen. You aren't getting rid of your blood pressure medication, but hibiscus tea is helping it do its job, for example.

How Large Is a Tea Serving?

A typical cup of tea is six to eight ounces. Some types of tea may have different serving quantities.

Your serving may also change depending on what you add to your tea. If you like sugar or milk, for example, the measurements may shift.

Understanding Tea for Heart Health

Finding the best tea for heart health means knowing what's available. Herbal teas and limited amounts of green and black tea are great. Avoid adding too much sugar or cream to your teas and manage your caffeine intake.

At Terrabella Thornblade, we know your diet is important to your health. Our senior living community is part of The Discovery Senior Living family of management companies, which ranks #1 in community staff, resident activities, and general satisfaction according to J.D. Power. Schedule a tour to see your new home!