Why Unsweetened Tea May Help You Live Longer — And Sweetened Tea Might Not
Tsara Tea – A major new study from the UK Biobank has added weight to something tea purists have long suspected: the healthiest tea might be the one you drink without sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Researchers found that drinking unsweetened tea in moderate amounts was linked to a significantly lower risk of death from all causes — including cardiovascular disease and cancer — while adding sugar or sweeteners appeared to blunt those benefits.
The Study at a Glance
The research, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, followed 195,361 UK adults aged 37–73 over a period of years, tracking their tea drinking habits and health outcomes. Participants reported how often they drank tea, whether they added sugar or artificial sweeteners, and how many cups they consumed daily.
Four groups were compared:
- Non-tea drinkers
- Unsweetened tea drinkers
- Sugar-sweetened tea drinkers
- Artificially sweetened tea drinkers
Most of the tea consumed was black tea, with a standard serving defined as around 250ml (8.5 oz).
Key Findings
- 3.5–4.5 cups of unsweetened tea per day was linked to a 20% lower risk of all-cause mortality, a 14% lower risk of cancer death, and a 27% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to non-tea drinkers.
- Sugar-sweetened tea drinkers and artificially sweetened tea drinkers did not see statistically significant reductions in death risk.
- Unsweetened tea drinkers tended to have healthier lifestyles overall, including lower BMI and higher levels of physical activity.
These results held true even when researchers adjusted for factors like smoking status, diet quality, and genetic differences in caffeine metabolism.
Why Sugar and Sweeteners Change the Story
Tea is naturally rich in flavonoids and polyphenols — plant compounds that act as antioxidants and may help protect against oxidative stress, inflammation, and chronic disease. But when sugar or artificial sweeteners are added, the overall health profile changes:
- Added sugar can contribute to higher calorie intake, increased blood sugar spikes, and higher risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
- Artificial sweeteners, once thought to be a healthier alternative, have been linked in some studies to potential negative impacts on metabolism and gut health. The World Health Organization recently classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic,” prompting renewed caution.
What This Means for Your Tea Habit
If you’re drinking tea for its health benefits, keeping it unsweetened seems to be the way to go. Here are some practical tips to help you enjoy it without reaching for the sugar bowl:
- Experiment with steeping time — shorter brewing times can reduce bitterness in black tea.
- Try naturally sweeter teas like certain oolongs or green teas if you find black tea too astringent.
- Add natural flavor infusions like lemon, mint, cinnamon, or fresh herbs.
- Transition slowly — gradually reduce sugar over a few weeks so your palate can adjust.
Does This Apply to Green or Herbal Teas?
The study focused mainly on black tea drinkers in the UK, so the results may not be identical for green tea or herbal infusions. However, both green tea and herbal teas also contain beneficial plant compounds — so drinking them unsweetened is still likely the healthiest choice.
For example, green tea’s catechins have been linked to improved heart health and metabolism, while herbal teas like hibiscus and chamomile offer their own wellness benefits without needing added sugar.
Bottom Line
Drinking 3.5 to 4.5 cups of unsweetened tea daily appears to significantly lower the risk of early death, especially from heart disease and cancer. But sweetened versions — whether with sugar or artificial sweeteners — may not deliver the same protective effects.
The takeaway is simple: if you want the full health benefits of tea, drink it pure. Your heart, your metabolism, and maybe even your lifespan could thank you.
