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A new study published in Renal Failure suggests that regular tea consumption may offer protective benefits against mortality for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Researchers found a correlation between drinking tea and reduced risk of death, particularly in the early stages of the disease.
The study, conducted by Jin Li, Ph.D., from the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in China, and colleagues, analyzed data from 17,575 CKD patients participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2018. During the follow-up period, 5,835 deaths were recorded, including 1,823 from cardiovascular-related causes.
The research revealed that consuming up to four cups of tea daily was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in patients with CKD stage 1 to 2, compared to those who never drank tea. Specifically, in these early stages of CKD, drinking one additional cup of oxidized tea per day was linked to a 10% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality. While a trend towards reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was observed, it did not reach statistical significance in the overall analysis.
Interestingly, the study also found that substituting one cup of green tea with one cup of oxidized tea was associated with a significantly lower risk of both all-cause and CVD mortality in patients with CKD stage 1 to 2.
The researchers observed a dose-response relationship, indicating that the protective effects against all-cause mortality were strongest with consumption of up to three to five cups of tea per day, particularly in the earlier CKD stages.
“We suggest that CKD patients limit their daily intake of tea to no more than four cups, and choose appropriate varieties and flavors, such as oxidized tea and sugar-free tea,” the authors advised.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting potential health benefits associated with tea consumption. However, the researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to fully understand the mechanisms by which tea may protect against mortality in CKD patients.
Key Findings:
- Up to four cups of tea per day linked to lower all-cause mortality in early-stage CKD.
- Oxidized tea showed greater benefits compared to green tea in reducing mortality risk.
- A dose-response effect observed, with up to three to five cups per day showing the strongest protective effects.
- Researchers recommend limiting daily intake to no more than four cups and choosing oxidized, sugar-free varieties.
Source: Jin Li et al, Association of tea consumption with all-cause/cardiovascular disease mortality in the chronic kidney disease population: an assessment of participation in the national cohort, Renal Failure (2025). DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2025.2449578
