Often praised for its health-enhancing properties, a new study is providing more evidence that a daily cup of green tea may lead to a healthier heart.

The study, conducted by a team of researchers from the Athens Medical School in Greece, shows that drinking tea improves blood flow and expands arteries, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.In the study, blood flow was measured after volunteers drank green tea, caffeine or hot water. Consuming green tea had an immediate short term effect (within 30 minutes) of improving the function of cells that line the circulatory system.

With its high flavonoid content, green tea has been previously shown to offer cancer-fighting and cardiovascular benefits. The same antioxidants found in red wine and dark chocolate, flavonoids are found in certain plant foods and can lower cholesterol, prevent inflammation and protect arteries from hardening.

While black tea also offers health benefits, green tea comes highly recommended as it is made from unfermented tea leaves and undergoes less processing. Green tea is also lower in caffeine and has higher antioxidant properties.

image credit: Green for Tea by Alexia