Black tea flavonoids protect strokes and heart disease.
Black tea is second only to water in global popularity for good reason. Hot tea relaxes. An iced tea on a hot summer day is the best. Black tea is also healthy.
Is black tea healthy?
Tea drinking began in the 3rd century. Yes, your forefathers knew how to cook black tea leaves over a fire. Kayla Kopp, RD, LD, says black tea is full in flavonoids. Plant compounds are healthy.
Black tea health benefits
Camellia sinensis produces black, green, oolong, and white tea. Herbal teas, brewed from dried herbs, spices, or plant leaves, are different. All teas are nutritious.
Kopp lists three black tea health advantages.
1. Fights inflammation and sickness
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Black tea has polyphenols Antioxidants in plants reduce free radical damage. Normal cell function creates free radicals. Kopp says environmental free radicals infiltrate the body. “These unstable molecules can accumulate and damage cells.” Chronic inflammation from cell damage causes heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Antioxidants fight free radicals by destroying them.
Immune wellness requires antioxidants.Germs are attacked by your immune system.
Improves heart health
Black tea is coloured by theaflavins. One research indicated that theaflavins may decrease cholesterol by lowering gastric cholesterol absorption.
Quercetin is another flavanol in black tea. Another research revealed that quercetin and flavanol-rich diets reduced stroke risk.
Flavanols may promote cardiovascular health by keeping blood arteries flexible. This also explains another research that found consuming three cups of black tea daily for six months may lower blood pressure.
Tea has the greatest flavanols in the US. Onions and apples provide them too. In England, where afternoon tea is a tradition, tea consumers were less likely to die from heart disease or stroke than non-tea drinkers.
3. Energises
47 milligrammes of caffeine are in an 8-ounce black tea. “Caffeine is a stimulant,” explains Kopp. However, too much coffee, particularly before night, might make it difficult to fall and remain asleep. High-blood-pressure sufferers should avoid coffee, according to Kopp.
Caffeine dependence may cause headaches and irritability. If you want to decrease caffeine, black tea contains around half the caffeine of coffee.
Pregnant and nursing women should restrict caffeine to 200 milligrammes per day due to its stimulating effects. Experts advise against caffeine for kids under 12.
Black tea health hazards
Black tea is typically harmless, although certain individuals should restrict or avoid consumption owing to health hazards. Black tea may raise risk of:
Kidney stones
Black tea’s high oxalates may make kidney stones and chronic kidney disease more likely. This organic acid binds minerals like calcium, causing kidney stones.
Esophageal cancer
One research indicated that consuming three or more cups of hot tea (over 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Celsius) may harm the oesophagus. Damage raises esophageal cancer risk.
Drink how much black tea?
To be healthy, drink three cups of tea a day. Black, green, oolong, and white Camellia sinensis teas provide antioxidants. Probiotic-rich kombucha is another option.
Chamomile, ginger, and peppermint are all beneficial herbal drinks. Hibiscus tea is also healthy.
Black tea—milk or honey?
Keep milk, sugar, and honey to a minimum whether you enjoy your tea hot or cold. Kopp warns that eating too much sugar may lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Milk with tea adds a few calories and fat, depending on the dairy. Furthermore, milk reduces tea antioxidants. “Flavonoids bind to protein in milk, reducing antioxidant benefits,” she says.
Skim milk reduces tea antioxidants most. If you add milk, choose full or low-fat. Try almond or oat milk for less protein. Keep drinking antioxidant-rich black tea if you always have. If not, you now have a healthy, refreshing drink to add to your diet.