Black tea is a popular beverage, especially in the world. It has been used for thousands of years and many people like it because of its taste and health benefits. Black tea has caffeine in it and contains tannins which are anti-inflammatory compounds that help to prevent cardiovascular disease. However, some people may have problems with drinking black tea because they have different medical conditions or some other reasons such as pregnancy, etc.
What is black tea?
Black tea is a type of tea that has undergone a process of fermentation and oxidization, which causes the tea leaves to turn black. These processes give black tea its distinctive taste, aroma, and look. Black teas are made from the young leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant.
Where do we get from black tea?
- Black tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. This evergreen flowering shrub is native to China but has been cultivated in India and Sri Lanka since the 16th century. It’s also grown commercially in Africa, though most black teas are produced in Sri Lanka and Kenya today.
- How do we get black tea from these leaves? We first harvest them and let them wither for a couple of hours (during which time they lose about 10% of their moisture). Then we roll them up into tight little balls—this deactivates enzymes that would otherwise cause fermentation during drying or roasting—and dry them at high temperatures until they’re ready for consumption.
What is the nutritional value of black tea?
The nutritional value of black tea is not high, but it does contain some useful vitamins and minerals. Black tea contains caffeine, which can increase alertness and energy in the body. It is rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body and help protect against diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Health benefits of black tea
Relieve stress and anxiety
Black tea also helps in reducing stress and anxiety. It contains caffeine, which is known to reduce stress levels by increasing the production of adrenaline and dopamine in the body. Black tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that helps you relax without making you feel drowsy.
While black tea is not considered to be as beneficial as green or white tea when it comes to lowering blood pressure, it can still help relieve high blood pressure symptoms. Besides helping with your heart health, consuming black tea regularly will have other advantages such as improving quality sleep, reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack, and lowering stress levels and anxiety levels.
Improves heart health
One of the medical advantages of drinking black tea is its antioxidant content. Antioxidants are substances that can neutralize free radicals and prevent damage to cells in the body. Free radicals are byproducts of normal cellular processes, but when there are too many or they don’t get neutralized fast enough, they may damage important cells and hurt the cardiovascular system.
Antioxidants have been found to help reduce (or even prevent) heart disease. Studies show that antioxidants have been shown to lower blood pressure, improve blood flow through arteries, lower LDL (bad cholesterol), and raise HDL (good cholesterol). In addition to the presence of antioxidants in black tea itself, consuming hot beverages like tea also increases your body temperature slightly—which means you may be able to burn more calories after a cup.
Reduce the risk of diabetes
Black tea is rich in antioxidants that are beneficial for your well-being. Antioxidants fight free radicals in your body, which can cause cell damage and lead to many diseases. Free radicals can interfere with insulin production, thereby increasing the risk of developing diabetes.
Black tea is also a source of polyphenols, compounds that have been shown to lower blood sugar levels by inhibiting an enzyme called alpha-glucosidase. This enzyme normally breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars (glucose), which are absorbed into the bloodstream and used as energy. The inhibition of alpha-glucosidase means that less glucose enters your bloodstream when you consume black tea, resulting in lower overall blood sugar levels after meals.
Improves digestive health
Black tea is a great way to improve your digestive health. It helps in digestion by increasing the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to healthier bowel movements and better overall digestion.
Black tea contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that protect against cell damage caused by free radicals (a natural chemical change caused when the body uses oxygen). These antioxidants also help increase your body’s production of enzymes that aid in digestion by breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into smaller molecules so they can be absorbed more easily.
Prevent the risk of cancer
In addition to helping the body absorb iron, black tea contains polyphenols and antioxidants that can help fight cancer. Polyphenols are believed to help prevent cancer by inhibiting the growth of tumors and slowing down the spread of cancer cells.
Black tea has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that may prevent cancer by reducing oxidative stress in cells. Oxidative stress is thought to contribute to carcinogenesis (the process by which normal cells become cancerous), so reducing it can help prevent cell damage from occurring in the first place.
Improves oral health
Black tea is a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent, which means it can help to fight against tooth decay and bad breath. This is due to the compounds found in black tea that are known as polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that can protect your body from free radical damage and improve your overall health.
Black tea also contains fluoride, which helps prevent cavities by strengthening teeth enamel and preventing tooth decay. Black tea also has an astringent quality that helps cleanse the mouth by removing plaque and debris from your teeth naturally without damaging the enamel of your teeth as other harsh chemical toothpastes do.
Makes healthier bones
Fluoride is a mineral that helps in the development of bones and teeth. Black tea contains fluoride, making it a good source of calcium and vitamin D, which are important for healthy bones.
Our bones are made up of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and copper. These minerals are essential for building strong bones as well as maintaining healthy bone density throughout life. As we get older our bones become weaker because they don’t contain enough nutrients needed to stay strong or maintain their shape over time (National Osteoporosis Foundation).
Helps in Weight Loss
Black tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols which help to burn fat. Drinking black tea can help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism and making you feel full. When you drink black tea, it fills your stomach, which results in reduced hunger. Also, the caffeine content of black tea increases energy levels so that you become more active during the day, which helps burn more calories than sitting on the couch all day long.
Prevents Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances. It can narrow the arteries and make it hard for blood to flow through.
Black tea has been shown to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by helping keep your blood vessels healthy. In addition, black tea has antioxidant properties that may reduce inflammation and help prevent heart attacks or strokes.
Healthy for skin and hair
Another health benefit of drinking black tea is that it prevents premature aging, wrinkles, and fine lines. Antioxidants found in black tea help to prevent the oxidation of skin cells, which can lead to premature aging and wrinkles. These antioxidants also help to create a healthy environment for collagen production, strengthening your skin’s natural barrier against environmental stresses such as pollution or harsh beauty products.
Black tea also has anti-bacterial properties that help prevent acne breakouts by killing bacteria on your face. This can be especially helpful if you have oily skin because black tea contains tannins that naturally reduce oil levels in your pores and prevent blemishes from forming.
Finally, the antioxidants found in black tea are known for their ability to fight dandruff by preventing dry scalp conditions such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis by reducing inflammation at its source (your scalp).
Disadvantages of drinking black tea
Insomnia
Insomnia is a common problem that can result from a wide range of factors. It’s important to note that not everyone will experience the same effects when drinking caffeine, as some people are more sensitive than others. If you find yourself struggling with insomnia, especially if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, it’s best to avoid consuming any caffeine after noon or before bedtime.
Caffeine can cause insomnia in some people by interfering with sleep cycles and increasing alertness during the day. Caffeine can also cause other side effects such as headaches and jitteriness which may make it difficult to relax enough to fall asleep.
Complication of pregnancy
There are a few risks associated with drinking black tea during pregnancy, including the possibility of miscarriage and stillbirth. It is important to discuss these potential complications with your doctor before consuming any kind of tea while carrying a child.
Teas may also cause heartburn and constipation, which can be problematic for people who already suffer from these conditions. In addition to being bad for pregnant women, they are not recommended for children or people with acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Decrease iron absorption
Another potential side effect of drinking black tea is that it can decrease the body’s ability to absorb iron. This can be a problem for people who already have low levels of iron in their bodies and are at risk for anemia, but it can also cause some disruption in the body’s natural processes.
If you drink black tea regularly and find yourself experiencing symptoms of anemia, talk to your doctor about what might be going on with your diet or lifestyle choices and how you might change them to help resolve the issue.
Headache
Headache is a common problem and it’s easy to assume that the headache is caused by what you ate or consumed. But there are many other causes: stress, lack of sleep and dehydration can all cause headaches. Caffeine withdrawal can also trigger headaches in people who consume large amounts of coffee or tea on an ongoing basis. And medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen can cause headaches for some people.
Tooth enamel is damaged
While black tea is healthy, it can damage tooth enamel and cause dental problems. This is because the tannins in black tea make your mouth produce more acid. When your teeth are exposed to acidic drinks like soda or fruits, they become vulnerable to damage.
Tea contains fluoride which helps prevent tooth decay but it also stains your teeth if you consume too much of it. The stain is temporary but will eventually fade away if you stop drinking tea regularly or switch to green or white teas instead which don’t contain as much fluoride as black tea does).
Conclusion
Black tea is a popular and delicious beverage that can provide many health benefits. It contains caffeine, which is known to be an energizer and may help improve athletic performance. The antioxidants in black tea are also thought to have anti-aging properties as well as protect against certain types of cancer and heart disease. Although there are many potential health benefits associated with black tea consumption, there are also some risks associated with excessive intake.
Also Read:Â Health Benefits of Coffee vs Tea
