Sex differences in the benefit of tea consumption: A critical summation of the epidemiological evidence

Tea is acknowledged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an important functional food, and is classified as ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ (GRAS). Extensive research conducted over the past few decades has demonstrated tea consumption's numerous health benefits through in vitro animal and in vivo studies. The impact of sex and gender differences on health outcomes related to tea consumption has been overlooked, resulting in numerous errors and underestimations that could impact various outcomes. The objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of tea consumption and its effects on multiple health outcomes, while also analyzing the influence of sex and gender on these outcomes. To investigate the association between tea consumption and human health risk, a comprehensive search of the PubMed and Embase databases up to April 2023 was conducted. Cross-sectional studies, prospective cohort studies, and case-control studies that met the inclusion criteria were reanalyzed. Some studies suggest that drinking tea can have a positive impact on health; additionally, gender differences regarding tea drinking's protective effects have been observed, particularly in women. By considering the specific impact of gender factors on patients, a more comprehensive personalized medicine approach can be achieved.