The beverage you drink every morning may be one of the most important decisions you make each day because what you consume has a direct effect on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. That’s why it’s so important to know which drinks are good for you and which ones aren’t worth the calories or money spent on them. It is all too common for people to not drink black tea often enough, and when they do, they don’t think about what makes it so great. Yet when it comes to healthy beverages, there are few things more valuable than your daily cup of black tea. To help get things started, here are 13 reasons why black tea is an excellent choice for anyone who wants their body to look and feel its best!
Black Tea Is Loaded With Antioxidants
One of the most valuable compounds within black tea is known as L-Theanine. This amino acid contains powerful antioxidant properties that work to neutralize free radicals, allowing them to do less damage to your body (8).
Of course, antioxidants can also help prevent cancerous cells from developing and growing into tumors that will spread throughout the body. Additionally, there’s evidence that these antioxidants can reduce cellular decay caused by oxidative stress (8).
The Amino Acids Within Black Tea Can Reduce Stress And Anxiety Levels
Another major benefit of L-Theanine is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety levels. A 2019 study published in the National Institutes of Health found that participants who took 200 mg of this amino acid before bed had improved stress-related symptoms (4).
Black Tea Boosts Gut Health
One of the most overlooked but critical areas of health is gut health. By promoting healthy digestion and preventing inflammation in the digestive tract, black tea may actually help increase nutrient uptake and prevent disease (8).
To begin with, it works to restore proper levels of good bacteria within your GI system and also reduces unwanted bacterial byproducts such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide (8).
The L-Theanine found within black tea is linked to increased gut health, which can prevent digestive issues and improve your immune system. Even better, the antioxidants in this beverage are known to reduce inflammation throughout your body that often causes leaky gut syndrome (8).
Read More: Green Tea Facts, Health Benefits And Side Effects
Antioxidants May Help Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
When it comes to drinking black tea for cardiovascular health, research has shown that you may experience several benefits through the L-Theanine compound found within this beverage. For one thing, there’s evidence that this amino acid may help prevent fatty buildups in your arteries, which is a common cause of heart attacks and strokes. At the same time, L-Theanine may help reduce blood pressure levels (7).
Black tea is also linked to improved cholesterol levels, which can reduce the risk of developing heart disease and other serious health conditions. It works to lower LDL cholesterol levels while raising HDL levels, providing the best ratio for mitigating any risk of heart disease (7).
Black Tea Can Improve Weight Loss
One of the primary reasons to drink black tea for weight loss is its caffeine content. This stimulant may work as an appetite suppressant, allowing you to feel fuller without eating as much food throughout the day. At the same time, caffeine helps release fatty acids within your body, so they burn off as energy through thermogenesis. Drinking black tea later in the day can also keep you energized and burning calories more efficiently throughout your evening workout sessions before bedtime rolls around again (8).
This Beverage May Be Able To Reduce Your Risk Of Type II Diabetes
Black tea components have been shown to help improve glucose tolerance in animal studies. In these tests, it was found to improve the ability of insulin to regulate how much glucose is absorbed by cells (5). As a result, less sugar remains in the bloodstream. In this way, drinking black tea may be able to lower your risk of type II diabetes as well as obesity.
Black Tea Is High In Certain Minerals And Vitamins That Can Promote Healthy Hair Growth
In addition to being loaded with antioxidants that can help fight off free radicals and prevent cellular damage within your body, it’s also important to note that black tea contains certain minerals and vitamins that are vital for healthy hair growth. For instance, the niacin found in black tea is essential for cellular metabolism. This means that cells can’t produce new proteins without this vitamin component (9).
The Caffeine And Antioxidants Can Help Protect Against Damage Caused By UV Radiation
UV radiation from the sun is one of the leading causes of skin damage, including wrinkles and DNA damage. However, animal studies have shown that antioxidants found in black tea may be able to help prevent some of these effects when consumed regularly (10).
One study testing green and black teas against UVB radiation found that both beverages were effective at reducing the number of tumors induced by UVA + B light in mice, but black tea was more protective against sunburn and tumors from UVB light alone.. Black tea may also be able to protect against UVA penetration, though more research needs to be done in this area (10).
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You Can Enjoy Black Tea As Part Of Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Black tea contains calcium, fluoride, and fluoride ions that can help prevent tooth decay when added to your oral hygiene routine. With natural antibacterial properties, the tannins within black tea are capable of slowing down bacterial growth on teeth, which means you have fewer plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth after drinking it regularly (2).
This is especially true if you opt for a decaffeinated version of this drink since caffeine can cause dryness around your gums, making it easier for plaque build-ups to form.
The Antioxidants Can Help Fight The Effects Of Aging
As you age, your skin becomes less capable of protecting itself against free radicals. One of the ways that antioxidants can help fight age is by protecting your skin from UV radiation damage so you don’t develop sunspots or other issues later in life. At the same time, these compounds may also be able to repair some of the DNA mutations caused by free radicals, which means you could potentially even out your skin tone if you drink black tea regularly (10).
May Improve Focus And Concentration Levels
Another benefit of black tea is its potential ability to improve focus and concentration levels. The L-Theanine found this beverage is believed to improve memory, reduce oxidative stress in the brain and improve cognitive function (7).
Black Tea Contains A Substance Capable Of Boosting Immunity
Black tea contains the amino acid L-theanine which is known for its ability to boost immunity. Studies have shown that this substance is capable of enhancing antibody production (7). This means you can drink more black tea if you want a stronger immune system to fight off diseases like the common cold or flu.
Read More: Tea That Makes You Lose Weight: Health Benefits And Side Effects
Risks Of Drinking Black Tea
There may be some risks to drinking black tea, including:
Toxic Elements
Black tea may contain toxic elements such as fluoride. Most people don’t have a problem with this beverage since it contains trace amounts, but some studies show that excess intake can cause health issues (11).
Lead and aluminum are also present in tea. While most of the aluminum is removed with processing, some can still be found in this beverage (11). Studies show that excessive, prolonged intake of lead and aluminum may cause health problems such as anemia, osteoporosis, low birth weight babies, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer (6).
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Allergic Reactions
There are several substances found in black tea leaves that can cause allergic reactions for certain groups of people. These include tannic acid, caffeine, and theaflavins (11).
Anxiety And Sleep Problems
If you already suffer from anxiety or trouble sleeping, black tea may make these conditions worse. This is because it contains caffeine, which can cause these symptoms, especially if consumed later in the day (1).
Anemia
The tannins found in black tea can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb iron. This can result in anemia, a condition that causes fatigue and other symptoms (11). Try to drink your black tea at separate times from your iron-rich meals or supplements.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Caffeine can be irritating to the GI tract. An excess intake of this beverage may cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bloating, belching, abdominal pain, and flatulence (11).
Headache Or Migraine
People who have a sensitivity to caffeine may experience headaches when they drink black tea. This is because black tea contains caffeine, which can cause these symptoms in some people (11).
The Bottom Line
Black tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world and with good reason. It offers several health benefits, such as antioxidants, improved concentration and memory, and reduced stress. However, you should be careful about how much of this beverage you drink since there are some risks associated with an excess intake. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, black tea may cause anxiety and sleep problems. It may also lead to gastrointestinal issues such as bloating and diarrhea.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
SOURCES:
- Black Tea (2021, medlineplus.gov)
- Black Tea Aids Oral Health (n.d., pacificcollege.edu)
- Caffeine: Cognitive and Physical Performance Enhancer or Psychoactive Drug? (2015, nih.gov)
- Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Function in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial (2019, nih.gov)
- Green and black tea suppress hyperglycemia and insulin resistance by retaining expression of glucose transporter 4 in muscle of high-fat diet fed C57BL/6J mice (2010, pubmed.gov)
- Lead: Health Problems Caused by Lead (2018, cdc.gov)
- L-theanine: A potential multifaceted natural bioactive amide as health supplement (2017, sciencedirect.com)
- Molecular evidences of health benefits of drinking black tea (2019, nih.gov)
- Niacin-Vitamin B3 (n.d., harvard.edu)
- Protection of black tea and green tea UVB and UVA + B induced skin cancer in hairless mice (1998, pubmed.gov)
- The Benefits and Risks of Consuming Brewed Tea: Beware of Toxic Element Contamination (2013, hindawi.com)
