9 Reasons to Drink Black Tea

May 31, 2016

I am not a coffee drinker and was never a type of person who can’t start a day without it. I never even considered drinking coffee. However, I do like teas, trying out new tastes, and buying different kinds. But, my all time favorite is BLACK TEA, particularly early in the morning when I wake up. I love the taste and the best thing of all, it has numerous health benefits. It’s always good to know that something you like to drink or eat is also good for your health at the same time. If you’ve never tried this tea before, hopefully 9 amazing benefits listed below will inspire you to do so. 

1. Oral health

Scientists at the University of Illinois conducted a study to inspect benefits of back tea on oral health. Findings from the research, presented at the 103rd General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Washington DC, showed that polyphenols present in tea leaves inhibit the growth of oral bacteria. Black tea also eliminates bad breath, mouth infections, and prevents dental cavities. Furthermore, this tea has potential to prevent oral cancer. 

2. Heart health

Benefits of black tea for heart health are well-documented. For example, study published in the Circulation, showed that short- and long-term consumption of black tea reverses endothelial vasomotor dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence which suggests that black tea is good for heart health and reduces risk for various cardiovascular diseases. When talking about cardiovascular diseases, study published in the journal Stroke revealed that daily consumption of about 3 cups of black (or green) tea day decreases chances of ischemic stroke. 

3. Bone health

Regular black tea drinkers have stronger bones and lower risks of developing arthritis due to phytochemicals found in this tea. According to the study presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) 2015 annual meeting, drinking a few cups of black tea during the day with or without milk was associated with significantly lower risk of fractures in older women who participated in the study. In fact, black tea scored higher than green or other types of tea. 

4. Antioxidants content 

Although antioxidant content in black tea is lower than in the green counterpart, it still delivers a powerful protection from oxidative damage. Antioxidants fight free radicals and protect your body from cancer, various diseases, and it’s needless to mention they’re essential for your skin as well. 

5. Cancer prevention

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry published results of the review which examined effects of green and black tea on cancer prevention. Findings suggests that polyphenols found in black and green tea inhibit cancer cell survival. For example, antioxidants found in black tea reduced production of nitric oxide. Scientists concluded study pointing out that green and black tea polyphenols act at numerous points regulating cancer cell growth, survival and metastasis, including effects at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels. 

6. Reduced risk of diabetes 

Scientists from the Tianjin Key Laboratory in China inspected levels of polysaccharides in green, oolong, and black tea and whether they could be used to treat diabetes. Results, published in the Journal of Food Science, showed that of the three teas, polysaccharides found in black tea had the most glucose-inhibiting properties. These findings suggest that black tea can be used to control diabetes. 

7. Immunity boost

Black tea contains alkylamine antigens that help boost immune response. For example, study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that substances found in tea boost immunity and ward off infections. Black tea also contains tannins that fight viruses and hence keep you protected from flu, stomach flu etc. Plus, these tannins have therapeutic effect on gastric and intestinal illnesses thus improving health of digestive tract.

8. Stress relief 

Amino acid L-theanine found in black tea can help you relax and concentrate better. The tea has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol when consumed moderately on regular basis. For instance, Psychopharmacology published results of the study which found that 6 weeks of black tea consumption leads to lower post-stress cortisol and greater subjective in relaxation which is why black tea is beneficial for stress recovery. 

9. Energy boost

Black tea contains caffeine, but unlike other beverages with high caffeine content, the low amounts found in this tea improve blood flow to the brain without over-stimulating your heart. The tea also stimulates metabolism (which is why it can also help you lose weight) and boosts energy levels. In case you’re wondering about caffeine content in black tea, study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals that 100ml of black tea contains 17mg caffeine or 40mg per 250ml of the tea. On the other hand, an average cup of coffee has 75-100mg caffeine. 

You can also check one of my older articles about different kinds of tea and their benefits, click here. Do you like black tea? Or, what’s your favorite type and its benefits you like? Write down your thoughts in the comments section. 

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