Vinita Alvares Fernandes writes, for every tea drinker, specifically black tea drinkers, here’s some great news, your daily pick me up has a variety of hidden health benefits
A recent trip to Darjeeling, the land of tea, countless cups of piping hot tea and visiting the world’s first tea factory, established in 1859, ‘The Makaibari Tea Estate’ After the workshop on tea tasting, I would like to call myself a tea connoisseur—AH! If only.
For every tea drinker, specifically black tea drinkers, here’s some great news, your daily pick me up has a variety of hidden health benefits.
It’s time to uncover these secrets
All tea comes from the camellia sinensis plant but different ways of harvesting and processing the plant produces different types of tea. The tea is then blended with other plants to create a variety of flavours. Black tea is stronger in flavour and contains more caffeine than other teas, but it has less caffeine than coffee.
Benefits of drinking black tea —
- Black tea is bursting with antioxidants: Who doesn’t love antioxidants? They’re full of health benefits and great for your overall health and immunity. Black tea is rich in antioxidants that provide benefits to your organic body. So don’t feel guilty for enjoying your cup of tea every morning.
- Black tea boosts heart health: Black tea contains a group of antioxidants called flavonoids which are extremely beneficial for your heart health. Consuming flavonoids on a regular basis helps reduce many risk factors of heart disease like high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, strokes and obesity.
- Black tea is known to lower “bad” LDL cholesterol: The body contains two lipoproteins, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) that transport cholesterol throughout the body. LDL is considered the “bad” lipoprotein because it transports cholesterol to cells throughout the body, while HDL is the “good” lipoprotein because it transports cholesterol away from your cells and to the liver to be removed from the bloodstream. When there is too much LDL in the body, it can build up in the arteries and cause plaque which can lead to problems like heart failure or stroke. Fortunately, consuming black tea helps reduce LDL cholesterol in the body.
- Black tea improves your gut health: The bacteria found in your gut majorly affects your overall health. Some bacteria are beneficial for your health and some not. The type of bacteria in your gut may play an important role in reducing the risk of gut and stomach issues and even other health concerns Black tea aids in the growth of good gut bacteria, thereby reducing the risk of inflammatory bowel disease, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and even cancer in some cases.
- Black tea is good for your hair and skin: The antioxidants found in black tea eliminate the toxins from your body. Black tea is great for your skin and hair, it helps the body to fight against skin infections, blemishes, helps delay ageing and reduces puffiness. It makes your hair shiny and smooth as well.
- Black tea makes your bones stronger: The flavonoids present in black tea keep your bones healthy and strong, thereby preventing fractures. Minerals like potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus that are found in black tea help keep bones stronger, improve bone density and reduce the chances of developing arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other joint and bone issues.
- Black tea is great for oral health: Black tea possesses antimicrobial properties that are wonderful for your oral health. Black tea can even prevent oral problems like bleeding gums, cavities, stop the growth of bacteria, bad breath and plaque formation.
- Black tea lowers blood sugar levels and helps control diabetes: Consuming black tea is said to help reduce the risk of diabetes by lowering your blood sugar levels and keeping it in control.
- Black tea is a wonderful stress reliever: Drinking black tea reduces the production of the stress hormone, cortisol, and can help you de-stress, soothe your mind and even help you concentrate better. Research has shown that if you are going through a rough time mentally, you should drink three or more cups of black tea a day.
- Black tea has fabulous antibacterial properties: The flavonoids and polyphenols found in black tea have antibacterial properties. Doctors and health professionals often recommend applying chilled black tea bags to razor bumps, scratches, burns, itchy skin and redness.
Watch out for these side effects of black tea —
While black tea is all good for your health, everything should be done within its limits and not overdone to cause health issues. Too much black tea can trigger side effects like anaemia, jitters due to the caffeine, and it can interfere with the effects of certain medications.
Moderation! Moderation! Moderation!
NOTE — What about black tea with milk and sugar?
If you like your tea with some milk and sugar, no need to fret. Adding milk or sugar does not reduce or alter the benefits of black tea.
Make a perfect cup —
First boil water.
If you are using store-bought tea bags, simply add a tea bag to a mug and fill it with the hot water.
If you are using loose leaf tea, use 2–3 teaspoons of tea leaves for every 6 ounces of water.
Let the tea steep in the hot water for 3–5 minutes, depending on how strong you want your tea.
Drink black with or without sugar, honey, gur or add milk and sugar as desired.
The Tea-keway —
A recently published study in the UK suggests that a few cups of black tea a day lowers your risk of mortality and the antioxidants it contains, helps the body reduce inflammation.
India is a country of tea lovers so indulge in the best beverage low-in-calorie, non-sweetened with a slight caffeine kick.
Packed with tons of health benefits be partial to a couple of cups of tea a day.
You’re in for a health treat.
