For enthusiasts of fine beverages, tea stands as the world's second most consumed drink after water, overshadowing even coffee! Black tea, rich in beneficial elements like theaflavins, thearubigins, catechins, and flavonols, holds a prominent place in the lineup of healthful beverages. This unassuming brew offers an array of advantages, so grab yourself a cup and let's explore!
While green tea frequently hogs the spotlight in discussions of health benefits, black tea often remains in the background. However, as we'll delve into shortly, a plain cup of black tea boasts remarkable benefits. So, what sets these two apart? Both green and black teas derive from the Camellia sinensis plant but undergo distinct processing methods, leading to differing chemical compositions. Green tea sees minimal fermentation, while black tea undergoes a fermentation process. This fermentation imparts the dark hue and slightly bitter taste distinctive to black tea. Although the total flavonoid content remains relatively similar in green and black teas, the nature of these flavonoids undergoes alterations during this process.
# Fights Free Radical DamagePolyphenols like theaflavins, thearubigins, and catechins in black tea give it potent antioxidant properties, helping fight the damaging effects of free radicals. While free radicals are naturally made in your body during the process of converting food to energy, certain other factors can increase their numbers, making it a challenge for the body to neutralize these efficiently. Factors like environmental pollution, high intake of processed and refined foods and alcohol, smoking, and sun overexposure can all increase the presence of free radicals in your body. These, in turn, cause oxidative damage to your cells, not only contributing to aging but playing a role in diseases ranging from cancer and diabetes to heart disease. That cup of black tea you chug down translates to a shot of protective and anti-aging antioxidants that can fight the damaging effects of free radicals and bolster your overall health.
# Tackles High Cholesterol ProblemsHigh cholesterol levels can mean an increased risk of atherosclerosis and even heart problems. If you are struggling to keep your cholesterol under control, your daily cup of tea can chip in and help. One study looked at mildly hypercholesterolemic people who had 5 servings of black tea a day for a period of 3 weeks. Drinking black tea helped reduce LDL cholesterol by 11.1% and total cholesterol levels by 6.5%. Regular consumption of tea may also help inhibit the oxidation of LDL and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Tea catechins, specifically, gallate esters, are thought to counter cholesterol disorders by limiting the absorption of cholesterol in your intestine.
# Helps Manage High Blood PressureHigh blood pressure or hypertension contributes to a range of serious medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease, heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. Fortunately, positive lifestyle habits such as eating a low-salt diet, keeping to a healthy weight, and getting enough physical exercise can go a long way in managing your blood pressure. Add a plain old cup of black tea to this regimen if you are at risk of hypertension.
According to a study, regularly having 3 cups of black tea in a day for 6 months significantly decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects. Thanks to the flavonoids in them, tea may impact blood pressure by improving endothelial function, that is, the functioning of the cells which line your blood vessels and heart. Another possible mechanism relates to its ability to burn visceral fat, which in turn helps control your blood pressure.
According to the researchers, when applied to a general population, the kind of improvement seen in the study would translate to a 10% reduction in the risk of hypertension and a 7–10% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease.
# Fights CavitiesYes, your cup of tea can help keep your teeth healthy too! Research shows that components in tea can inhibit cavity-causing bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. They also suppress the activity of the enzyme amylase which breaks down food starches into low molecular weight sugars and plays an important role in the development of dental cavities. Moreover, tea contains fluoride which helps to keep tooth enamel strong.
# Promotes Weight LossIf you are trying to lose weight, black tea could be your secret ally. One animal study found that it changed the composition of bacteria present in the intestine, increasing the percentage of beneficial bacteria associated with lean body fat and reducing the bacteria associated with obesity. So while it’s still important to pay attention to diet and exercise regularly to lose those extra pounds, black tea can provide an extra boost to your energy metabolism from within.
# Boosts Immunity And Fights InfectionsWe’re constantly exposed to attacks from harmful germs that can cause a range of illnesses. Fortunately, our immune system is usually successful in mounting a defense against them and protecting us from diseases. But your immune system needs all the help it can get and that’s where black tea can step in. One study found that regularly consuming black tea for a period of 6 months positively impacted biomarkers which indicated the activation of the immune system. Compounds present in tea have also been found to act against a range of disease-causing microorganisms.