Black tea comes from the camellia sinensis plant. Caffeine is present in black tea and caffeine has many health benefits. Black tea is the second most consumed beverage after tea. Black tea is the most popular drink because of its taste, strong flavor, plenty of antioxidants and lots of health benefits.
The black tea name came from the color of tea. It has dark amber or orange color rather than black. Black tea has a low-calorie, non-sweetened beverage with less caffeine than coffee or energy drinks. So it is very helpful in weight reduction.
Black tea has many health benefits such as reduced blood pressure, lower cholesterol level, help in weight reduction, protect against heart diseases, provide diabetes care, provide mental and emotional health, skincare, immunity booster, fight with infection, anticancer property, etc.
Botanical Name: Camellia sinensis
Black tea was discovered in China about 4000 years ago, it is now the most popularly consumed beverage.
There is much variety of black tea but it all is based on productivity place such as, Lap sang Souchong, Fujian Minong, Anhui Keemun, Yunnan Dianhong, etc.
Nutritional Profile
Health Benefits
Provide overall health
Black tea is extremely rich with antioxidants. Antioxidants can give protection against damage in the body. Antioxidants in black tea can help slow down the process of aging and help in the regeneration of cells. So antioxidants' property of black tea can help in repairmen of damage in the body.
Polyphenols act as antioxidants. This can help in removing the free radicals from the body which causes damage to cells. So removing the free radicals by antioxidants of tea can also remove the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
Black tea can hydrate to the body. This hydration is because of its antioxidant properties.
MAIN THING: Black tea has antioxidants like polyphenols, including catechins, theaflavins, thearubigins, etc. these all are helpful in providing the overall health.
Provide brain health
Black tea can create brain health. Black tea has L- theanine is an amino acid. This amino acid can calm the brain and increase the alert state of mind. Black tea can help in relaxing and concentrate on the brain. It can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment. It can help to increase the memory and cognitive function of the brain.
Black tea can help in reducing the stress hormone level. So it also helps in decreasing the anxiety as well as depression. It can also help in reducing irritation, headache, tension, insomnia, etc. so it can help a person who is suffering from sleeplessness due to anxiety.
MAIN THING: Caffeine in tea can help in boosting the power of the brain and help in reducing the risk of nervous system disorders, such as Parkinsonism, insomnia, etc.
Provide heart health
Black tea can help in reducing the bad cholesterol level in the body. Because of the high level of bad cholesterol can reduce the level of good cholesterol or HDL. HDL can protect the heart from cardiovascular disease. HDL can help in reducing the risk of formation of clots in the vessels and stay away from a heart attack, stroke, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, embolism, plaques, etc.
Black tea has an adequate amount of sodium and potassium. Sodium and potassium can regulate normal blood pressure. Balance of these minerals can help in reducing the risk of hypertension. Low levels of bad cholesterol of tea can also help in reducing the risk of hypertension.
MAIN THING: Balance of sodium and potassium can help in reducing the risk of hypertension. Low levels of bad cholesterol of tea can also help in reducing the risk of hypertension.
Provide digestive health
Black tea is made the digestive system healthy. Black tea is rich in polyphenols which are helping to increase the growth of good bacteria in the gut and reducing the bad bacteria in the gut. Good bacteria in the gut can help in good and proper digestion. These polyphenols also help in reducing the risk of inflammation in intestine such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Black tea has antispasmodic property too. It can help in reducing cramps and pain in the stomach. Black tea can improve digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes. Black tea is good for reducing flatulence, gastric irritability, dyspepsia, nausea, chronic diarrhea, stomach ulcer, and dysentery.
MAIN THING: The polyphenols in tea help in reducing the risk of inflammation in intestine such as inflammatory bowel disease and also good for reducing flatulence, gastric irritability, dyspepsia, nausea, chronic diarrhea, stomach ulcer and dysentery.
Provide immune power
Black tea is rich in antioxidants. This antioxidant property of tea can help in boosting the power of the immune system. Antioxidants present in tea can fight with free radicals and remove them from the body. Because free radicals are the main cause of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, liver diseases, etc.
Black tea enhances the power of the immune system by increasing the white blood cells in the blood, which is the natural fighter of the body. Black tea also works as a blood purifier and boost blood circulation. Blood purification can remove the toxins and foreign bodies from the blood as well as increasing the level of antioxidants. These properties of tea can help to immunity.
Black tea has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can help in boosting the power of the immune system by reducing the infection or fight with infection.
MAIN THING: Tea has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can help in boosting the power of the immune system by reducing the infection or fight with infection.
Provide skincare
Black tea is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants can remove all toxins and waste products from the body. So it can give protection to the skin against any infections such as bacterial, fungal, etc.
Flavonoids and catechins present in black tea can fight with bacteria or fungi and provide protection against eczema, ringworm, itching, etc.
Antioxidants of black tea can also hydrate the skin. Adequate hydration can remove wrinkles, scars, dry skin, fine lines, etc and act as an anti-aging substance. It can also reduce dark circles and puffiness under the eyes if topically using black tea bags.
An adequate amount of antioxidants can diminish oxidative stress and remove free radicals from the body.
MAIN THING: Removing free radicals from the body can decrease the risk of cancer such as skin cancer. It also gives protection against UV radiation, skin pigmentation, etc.
Protect against diabetes
Black tea is nonsweet beverages. So it can help in reducing the blood sugar level. Whenever consuming the extra amount of sugar it can increase the risk of diabetes and another metabolic syndrome. The extra amount of sugar in the body can store in the form of fat and can increase the weight. Black tea can remove sugar by removing the extra amount of fat from the body.
Black tea has catechin that can help in enhancing the use of insulin in the body. Insulin can control the extra amount of sugar and give protection against type 2 diabetes.
MAIN THING: Drinking of tea, 3-4 cups a day can reduce the risk of diabetes and also helpful to control blood sugar level.
Protect against cancer
Black tea is extremely rich with antioxidants. Antioxidants like polyphenols can give protection against damage in the body. Polyphenols in black tea can help slow down the process of aging and help in the regeneration of cells. So it can help to kill the cancerous cell and help in the regeneration of new cells.
Polyphenols can help in removing the free radicals from the body which causes damage to cells. So removing the free radicals by antioxidants of black tea can also remove the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.
MAIN THING: Black tea gives protection against cancer, especially breast cancer.
Protect against oral disease
Black tea has anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. It can help in reducing the risk of oral diseases such as gingivitis, plaque, tooth decay, and cavities. Black tea can also help in reducing the pain such as toothache.
Black tea also helps in reducing the bad breath because of the main reason for bad breath is germs in the mouth.
MAIN THING: Mouth germs are killed by antiseptic properties of black tea. So black tea can fight with dental problems as well as oral problems.
Safety Profiles
Sleep disturbances: Black tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can help in the alertness of the mind and decrease sleep. So if anyone suffering from insomnia, do not consume black tea especially before bedtime.
Toxicity: Excessive consumption of black tea can produce adverse effects on organs such as the brain, liver, heart, pancreas, etc. it can produce high blood pressure, diminished immune response, etc.
Anemia: Black tea contains lots of antioxidants that can reduce iron absorption in the human body. So avoid the use of black tea if suffer from anemia.
Bleeding disorder: Black tea can decrease the level of fibrinogen, compound which is necessary for blood clotting. So if anyone suffering from a bleeding disorder, do not consume black tea. It can be dangerous.
Selection and Storage
Selection
Buy organic black tea bags or loose black tea leaves are best rather than powder for avoiding adulteration.
Storage
Store the leaves in tin containers. Keep them away from sunlight and moisture.