by Who doesn’t love a rich, robust black tea blend first thing in the morning? The infusion of caffeine and antioxidants awakens the senses, providing a slight boost of energy. Some people like to sip the dark elixir plain or with a little milk. Regardless, black tea is loved by everyone. Although tea lovers love drinking it, most of them are unaware that black tea has many health benefits!
Did you know that black tea is fermented from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant? Maitry Gala, Senior Nutritional Therapist at Fortis Hospital in Mulund, Mumbai, tells Health Shots that black tea is one of the most popular teas in the world and is one of four types made from the leaves of the Camellia plant Sinensis.
5 health benefits of black tea
While black tea undergoes oxidation, which gives it additional benefits, green tea does not undergo oxidation. During oxidation, catechins are transformed into thearubigins, theaflavins and flavonols, which are absent in green tea. Black tea is full of antioxidants and offers several health benefits.
Here are 5 benefits of black tea that you should know:
1. Improves Gut Health
Black tea is rich in an antioxidant called polyphenol, which helps reduce oxidative stress, thereby reducing the risk of chronic diseases and improving a person’s overall health. Polyphenols and their antimicrobial properties can help improve gut health and boost immunity.
2. Reduces cholesterol
Black tea is prepared from fully fermented leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. It contains catechins and theaflavins, which help lower your cholesterol levels.
3. Promotes heart health
The flavonoids in black tea may help lower cholesterol levels, control blood pressure, and possibly reduce the risk of heart disease.
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4. Improves concentration
Do you have trouble staying awake all day? Are you feeling less energetic these days? Why don’t you try boosting your health with black tea? It contains caffeine and L-theanine – an amino acid in black tea, to improve alertness and concentration.
5. Helps Lose Weight
A low-calorie, unsweetened beverage, black tea is a great option for people. Flavones have also been linked to reduced weight, BMI, and waist circumference. Since flavones are present in black tea, they are suitable for reducing abdominal fat and weight loss, especially when combined with a proper diet and exercise program, adds the expert .
Side effects of drinking black tea
If black tea offers many health benefits, nutritionist Maitry Gala explains that people who are anemic or iron deficient should consume this drink in limited quantities. It contains tannins that bind to plant iron and affect its absorption in the digestive tract. It is also strongly recommended to consume this drink between meals. Here are the side effects of drinking black tea explained by Gala:
- Excess tannins can irritate the digestive tract, especially in people with a fragile gut, leading to stomach upset/vomiting/worsening diarrhea, etc.
- Overconsumption of caffeine can increase anxiety and agitation.
- Black tea can reduce melatonin production, disrupting the sleep cycle.
- This can contribute to complications in pregnant women, such as miscarriage or low birth weight of the infant.
- Too much caffeine can cause heart burn or worsen pre-existing acid reflux.
Read also: Benefits of Drinking Tea: 9 Ways It Can Work Wonders for Your Health
The best time to drink black tea
Black tea can be a great addition to your diet, considering its health benefits. Although it is safe to drink, people should make sure to drink it in moderation. However, because black tea contains caffeine, children should avoid black tea. Adults can drink 2 to 3 cups a day and avoid excessive drinking as it can cause side effects, says the expert.
If you’re wondering when the right time to drink black tea is, it’s best to drink it in the morning, Gala recommends. Starting your day with black tea will help increase alertness and hydrate the body. It will provide instant energy to your body that will help you start your day.
