Japanese researchers analyzed green tea consumption and the risk of death in a study of more than 40,000 middle-age and elderly men and women. Drinking three or more cups of green tea was associated with substantially lower risks of death from cardiovascular disease in both men and women. Women benefited more than men from green tea, with consumption of five or more cups daily related to a 31 percent reduction in cardiovascular-related deaths. Green tea had the greatest benefit in reducing the risk of stroke.