Tea is one of the most loved hot beverages in the world. Billions of people around the globe swear by a cup or two of tea every day. Among all the variants of tea that is consumed every day, black tea is the most popular in the USA. And there are valid reasons for that. Besides a strong, full-bodied flavour which has a stimulating effect on the person who drinks it, it is also low on caffeine content. Thus, if tea is consumed moderately, there is no chance of a caffeine overload and other related risks.
Additionally, for tea lovers looking for excuses to drink more tea, black tea also has some exciting health properties that have proven quite beneficial. The essential components present in a tea are – antioxidants, amino acids, several vital vitamins, minerals, fluorine etc.
Health Benefits of Black Tea
The components mentioned above provide some added benefits to drinking tea. These are as follows –
Drinking tea in moderate amount regularly helps in lowering the diastolic and systolic blood pressure. It also reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and chronic inflammation. Thus, black tea, along with a healthy lifestyle, can improve heart health. Blood clots are essential to prevent loss of blood through continuous bleeding. However, in some cases, excess blood clot formation can cause stroke, pulmonary embolism etc. according to studies, it was seen that polyphenols present in tea reduce excess blood clot formation.
Black tea is rich in antioxidants such as catechins, theaflavins and thearubigins. These antioxidants help in eliminating harmful free radicals and prevent damage to our cells and tissues. Additionally, these antioxidants also have anti-inflammatory properties which improve our body’s immune system and protects against diseases like common cold and flu. Other variants of tea also contain some antioxidants; however, the nature of antioxidants and their functions change based on the oxidation process.
Polyphenols lower blood sugar levels in our body by boosting insulin secretion and breaking down starchy food into simple sugar and reduces risks of type 2 diabetes. Consequently, having a cup of tea after meals can be very beneficial.
The antioxidants in black tea eliminates harmful bacteria present in the stomach such as salmonella, E. coli etc. additionally, they facilitate the growth of probiotics which boosts digestion and improve metabolism.
Tea contains a substance called polyphenols which has been proven to be effective against certain types of cancer by decreasing the chances of tumour growth. According to scientists, black tea may aid in reducing the risk of ovarian, prostate, skin, breast, and lung cancer.
Have you ever wondered why you crave a cup of tea when you have been working all day, and you feel tired? Well, besides the amazing health benefits, tea also contains a component like L – theanine, which is a type of amino acid. Caffeine and L-theanine together make us more alert and improve our concentration.
So, make yourself a cup of tea right now and enjoy these health benefits.