13 Health Benefits Of Black Tea You Should Not

7. HELPS FEND OFF DIABETES

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a spate of problems, including heart disease, eye problems, kidney disease, and nerve damage. Your blood sugar is regulated by a hormone known as insulin which moves glucose into cells from your blood so that it can be broken down to release energy. In diabetics, glucose is not broken down into energy either because they have insufficient insulin or the insulin doesn’t function properly. If high blood sugar is something you are at risk of, black tea to the rescue once again!

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Research indicates that compounds such as epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, theaflavins, and other tannins present in tea improve insulin activity. No surprise then that a study found that long-term, moderate intake (1 to 2 cups a day) of tea was associated with a 70% lower risk of type 2 diabetes. However, do keep in mind that adding milk to your tea may reduce its beneficial effects as far as diabetes is concerned. One study found that adding 5 gm of 2% milk to a cup of tea reduced its insulin boosting activity by 1/3rd while adding 50 gm of milk to a cup reduced it by almost 90%. Soy milk and nondairy creamers also resulted in reduced insulin-enhancing activity.

8. IS GOOD FOR THE HEART

As we’ve already seen, tea can have a positive impact on various factors such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and blood pressure which affect your heart health. Having black tea can also improve endothelial function in people with coronary heart disease. Flavonoids in tea may also help it function as a blood thinner. In fact, research indicates that drinking black tea is associated with a lower mortality rate in people who have survived a heart attack.

9. REDUCES THE RISK OF STROKE

A life-threatening condition that develops when the supply of blood to a part of your brain is blocked, stroke is a medical emergency which requires immediate attention. Factors such as hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and stress can increase your risk of having a stroke. But not surprisingly, your daily cuppa may help out here too. Research which considered the results of 9 studies found that people who drank 3 or more cups of black (or green) tea a day had a 21% lower chance of stroke than those who had less than a cup of tea a day. Again, the antioxidant properties of polyphenols in black tea may be at play here.

10. IMPROVES FOCUS

Do you find your mind wandering often and that you’re unable to focus on work? Turn to your trusty cup of tea. Research indicates that drinking black tea may help you with focused attention, alertness, and accuracy. Two compounds present in tea, L-theanine and caffeine, may be responsible for these beneficial effects. The synergistic relationship between the two in tea can help enhance performance and boost concentration, stopping your mind from wandering or being distracted. Another advantage is that L-theanine can help counter overstimulation by caffeine. So a cup of black tea may be the best way to get your caffeine shot sans that classic jitteriness associated with excessive caffeine.

11. TONES SKIN

Tannins present in tea have a mild astringent effect. So if you’re looking for a natural toner, some leftover tea or a damp tea bag will just do the trick. It also works well on puffy eyes. When you brew yourself a cup of tea, leave some behind and soak this up with some cotton. Place this on your closed eyes for about 2–5 minutes and you’re sorted! A moist tea bag will do the trick too.

12. MAY PROTECT AGAINST PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that affects nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, which helps coordinate and control our body movements. A meta-analysis of studies shows that components present in tea such as caffeine, flavonoids, and theanine have a neuroprotective effect. Drinking black tea regularly may lower your risk of Parkinson’s disease via different mechanisms – by promoting secretion of dopamine, improving circulation to the brain, and boosting locomotor activity. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits also help play a role.

13. MAY OFFER SOME PROTECTION AGAINST CANCER

Some studies show that regular black tea drinkers may be at a lower risk of cancers such as that of the ovaries and colon. As one study found, women who drank 2 or more cups of black tea in a day recorded a 30% decline in ovarian cancer risk. Phytochemicals in tea are credited for this effect. However, other cohort studies point out that black tea’s anti-carcinogenic activity may not be as potent as that of green tea. The researchers attributed this to the fact that many catechins in black tea are oxidized to forms that are not as powerful against cancer cells. So while black tea can contribute to your anti-cancer defense, don’t rely on it too heavily.

BREW YOURSELF A HOT CUP OF TEA

Brewing a cup of tea has to be the easiest thing in the world. All you need to do is pour a cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of tea leaves, let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes, and your hot tea is ready. And you can experiment with this popular drink too. Add grated ginger which works as a blood thinner and combats insulin resistance to boost black tea’s heart-healthy powers. Or how about a dash of antioxidant rich honey to sweeten the deal?? If you prefer a citrusy tang to your tea, add a squeeze of vitamin C-rich lemon after brewing the tea.

Remember, while tea does offer a range of benefits, it’s important to limit consumption to moderate amounts. Too much black tea, say more than 5 cups a day, can cause a range of side effects such as a headache, tremors, diarrhea, sleep problems, heartburn, and irregular heartbeats. You also need to keep an eye on your caffeine intake and check whether it interferes with any medication you are on. In general, black tea has 2–5% caffeine, so 2 cups of black tea will give you around 200 mg of caffeine. Be wary of having more than this during pregnancy. In fact, limit your intake to no more than 2–3 cups a day, also factoring in other sources of caffeine you’ve had.

Some experts recommend that you limit your consumption of black tea if you’re at risk for osteoporosis since caffeine can increase calcium excreted by your body. According to some studies, however, habitual tea drinking only has a small impact on bone density. While there are some claims that black tea hinders iron absorption, this is not well-established. To be safe, if you are iron deficient, drink black tea between meals instead of with your meals and simultaneously pay closer attention to your intake of iron-rich foods.