Compounds in green and black tea ease the blood vessels by activating ion channel proteins in the blood vessel wall. This discovery helps explain the antihypertensive properties of tea and may lead to the development of new drugs to lower blood pressure.
Research has shown that two catechin-type flavonoid compounds found in tea activate a specific type of ion channel protein called KCNQ5, which allows potassium ions to diffuse out of cells, decreasing cellular excitability, Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry reported.
Since KCNQ5 is found in smooth muscle lining blood vessels, it can be assumed that its activation by tea catechins also promotes the relaxation of blood vessels.
Many people mix black tea with milk before drinking. The researchers in the study found that when black tea was applied directly to cells containing the KCNQ5 channel, the addition of milk prevented the beneficial effects of the tea that activate KCNQ5. However, this does not mean avoiding milk when drinking tea in order to reap the benefits of tea.
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