The Benefits Of Drinking Black Tea
Black tea is the most consumed tea in the USA accounting for more than 80% of tea consumption.
While green tea has long been heralded for its antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, black tea may offer some similar benefits. The key difference is that the processing step for making black tea leaves the polyphenols in a more stable form. Essentially this means more of these beneficial compounds make it through to your cup!
Black tea is a type of tea made from the young leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant. Black tea is the most commonly consumed form of tea in the world and one of the most popular beverages. Tea consists mainly of water (around 90%) along with small amounts of flavoring agents (1-2%), black tea is unique for its high caffeine content. Research shows that drinking black tea on a regular basis may have numerous health benefits, such as weight loss, lowering cholesterol and preventing heart disease.
1. Lowering the risk of atherosclerosis
Did you know that black tea might help fight cardiovascular disease? According to a handful of animal studies, black tea or green tea consumption has been associated with reduced production of free radicals, which play a role in cardiovascular disease. Evidence from human studies is inconclusive and more research is necessary.
2. Lowering the risk of cancer
Evidence from laboratory animal and test tube research suggests that the polyphenols in tea may decrease the risk of tumor growth. In particular, black tea may help reduce the risk of skin, breast, lung, and prostate cancers. More studies are needed, however, to confirm whether or not drinking tea as part of the diet can help reduce the risk.
3. Reducing blood pressure
A 2015 study suggested that black tea may reduce diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Moreover, drinking black tea may make your blood pressure resistant to the impact of a high fat meal. This benefit remains despite the caffeine content of the tea. However, this was a small study with only 19 participants, so larger studies are necessary to confirm these results.
4. Other benefits
Black tea taste good and has many health benefits too. Researchers have also found that black tea might help improve bone density, reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, and protect against Parkinson’s disease.
