Black tea is rich in antioxidants, such as catechins and polyphenols, which help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in the body, in addition to being one of the most consumed drinks worldwide.
Due to its properties, black tea can bring several health benefits, such as helping to improve digestion, control diabetes, promote weight loss and prevent diseases such as cancer and heart attack.
The difference between green tea and black tea lies in the way the leaves are treated, as both come from the same plant called Camellia sinensis. In the case of green tea, the leaves are fresher and are exposed to a little heat, while in black tea the leaves are oxidized, which causes its flavor to be more intense and its medicinal properties to be altered. .
Health benefits of black tea
Black tea can bring the following health benefits:
1. Prevent premature aging
Black tea has good amounts of antioxidants that prevent excessive oxidation caused by free radicals, thus preventing tissue damage and keeping cells healthy for longer, delaying aging.
2. Ease digestion and treat diarrhea
Black tea is a good option when you have a full stomach, as it acts directly on the digestive system, facilitating digestion and purifying the body.
Furthermore, black tea contains tannins, which help to reduce inflammation in the intestine, being very useful for intestinal pain and reducing diarrhea.
3. Decrease your appetite and lose weight
Regularly consuming a cup of black tea for at least 3 months can help reduce your appetite and speed up your metabolism, promoting weight loss and slimming your waist. It is believed that this property may be due to its high antioxidant power derived from the flavones it contains and caffeine.
Although black tea reduces appetite, it is still important to eat a balanced diet, low in fat and sugar and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds and fish. It is also essential to practice some type of physical activity, such as walking 30 minutes a day.
4. Help control diabetes
Black tea has phenolic compounds that help regulate blood glucose levels, being a good aid in case of diabetes or pre-diabetes due to the healing effect it has on pancreatic β cells.
5. Help clear the skin
Applying black tea under the skin is a good way to combat acne and oily skin. Just prepare the tea and when it is still warm, apply it with gauze or cotton directly on the area you want to treat. Leave it on for a few minutes and then wash your face.
6. Lower cholesterol
Black tea extract promotes an increase in cholesterol metabolism, probably due to the inhibition of bile acid reabsorption, and can be used to prevent metabolic syndrome.
7. Prevents atherosclerosis and heart attack
Black tea is rich in flavonoids, known as protectors of the cardiovascular system and prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, responsible for the formation of atheroma plaques, which increase the risk of thrombosis.
8. Keep your brain alert
Another benefit of black tea is keeping the brain alert because this tea has caffeine and L-Theanine that improve cognitive performance and increase alertness, which is why it is an excellent option for breakfast or right after lunch. Its effect can be noticed on average after 30 minutes of ingestion.
9. Help prevent cancer
Due to the presence of catechins, black tea also helps prevent and fight cancer, and it is believed that this may happen due to its protective effect on cell DNA, in addition to its ability to induce the death of tumor cells.
How to make black tea
Black tea can be prepared with dried leaves, which can be found in bulk or in sachets. To enjoy all the benefits of black tea, you must follow the recipe below:
Ingredients
- 1 cup of boiling water;
- 1 black tea bag or 1 teaspoon of dried black tea leaves.
Preparation mode
Add the sachet or black tea leaves to a cup of boiling water, cover and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. Strain and drink while still warm, sweetened or not.
To make the taste of black tea milder, you can add a little warm milk or half a squeezed lemon.
Amount of caffeine in black tea
The amount of caffeine in black tea can vary depending on the amount of leaves used to prepare the infusion. In general, tea prepared with 1 gram of dry leaves and 100 mL of water contains around 6% caffeine, unlike a cup of coffee, which can contain up to around 25% caffeine.
Secundary effects
Drinking moderate amounts of black tea is safe, however, if more than 5 cups are consumed per day, it is possible to notice the appearance of some side effects, due to the presence of caffeine it contains, such as headache, nervousness, problems sleeping, vomiting, irritability, tremors, stomach pain and dizziness.
Who shouldn’t drink black tea
Black tea is contraindicated for babies and children under 12 years of age. Furthermore, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should also avoid consuming it, as black tea contains caffeine and should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
Black tea is also not recommended for people with high blood pressure, as this medicinal plant has a slight hypertensive effect due to the presence of caffeine. However, this usually doesn’t happen when people regularly drink black coffee and other beverages that contain caffeine.
Consumption of this tea should also be done in moderation by people who are iron deficient, as this herb contains compounds, such as tannins, that reduce iron absorption, and it is recommended to drink the tea at least 1 hour after main meals.
