Most people know that black tea is the superior choice when it comes to drinking tea. This is because it has more antioxidants than any other type of tea. The reason for this is that black tea contains almost twice as much caffeine as green or white tea.

In fact, a cup of black tea has up to five times more caffeine than a cup of white or green tea.

This makes black tea an excellent choice for people who are trying to reduce their intake of caffeine or who simply do not like strong drinks.

However, not everyone knows about all the health benefits of black tea. In this article, we take you through some of the hidden benefits you may not know about black tea.

What is Black Tea?

Black tea is a type of herbal tea made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. It has a higher level of the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) than white tea, which may explain its antioxidant benefits. However, it’s important to note that both types of tea have high levels of this antioxidant, which means that black tea has more benefits for your health.  It has been widely acknowledged for its potent antioxidant content. In fact, black tea has up to 10 times more catechins than green and white tea.

For this reason, black tea is considered to have up to 5 times more potent health benefits than green or white tea. It’s also known as a “super-antioxidant” because of its high concentration of resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grape skins.

Why Add Black Tea To your Diet?

Black tea is a great choice for anyone looking to help reduce the risk of developing several conditions through their regular intake. While it isn’t as widely acknowledged as white, green, or oolong teas, black tea has been widely acknowledged for its high concentration of catechins, which are powerful antioxidants found in plants. In fact, black tea has up to 10 times more catechins than white tea, which explains why it’s known as “the natural source of caffeine.”

Health Benefits of Black Tea

There are a number of health benefits associated with black tea. We’ve listed some of the most notable below: 

1. Anti-inflammatory

As we’ve mentioned, black tea has anti-inflammatory properties that may help protect your body from various conditions such as autoimmune disorders, migraines, and headaches. However, it also has the capacity to reduce inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. As such, it’s able to reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood called “inflammatory markers” which may benefit your health. Studies have even found that the drinking of 4-5 cups of black tea a day for 6 months has been able to significantly reduce the amount of “bad” cholesterol in the blood.

2. Protects your liver

One study found that drinking 5 cups of black tea a day for 6 months significantly reduced the risk of liver diseases.  

3. Boosts brain health 

Researchers believe that the high levels of antioxidants found in black tea may help protect your brain from diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

4. Helps prevent heart attacks

One of the more interesting health benefits of black tea is its ability to protect your heart. This is due to the high amounts of EGCG present in this drink. Studies have found that consumers who drink 5-6 cups of black tea daily have reduced rates of heart attacks and strokes. This is likely due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the tea and the fact that it has been proven to help protect your liver from becoming cirrhotic. A study found that people who drank 5-6 cups of black tea daily had a reduced risk of having a heart attack or stroke. 

5. Protects your immune system 

One study found that a daily intake of 5-6 cups of black tea for 6 months significantly boosted the level of Anti-microbial resistance associated with age. 

6. Anti-aging 

Many health benefits of black tea are due to its high levels of antioxidants. Dark leafy black teas have more antioxidants than light teas.  The National Cancer Institute does not include green, white, or oolong tea in its list of approved sources of antioxidants. However, a number of cancer-fighting nutrients are present in these plants. When it comes to black tea, though, there are a number of studies that have found that it has more catechins than white or green teas. Catechins are powerful antioxidants that are believed to protect against diseases such as cancer and heart disease. This is why dark leafy black teas have more antioxidants than light teas.

7. Great source of dietary fiber.

Fiber is a type of dietary protein found in plant form. There are a number of benefits associated with dietary fiber: 

• It helps with digestion - A study found that a daily intake of 1/4 cup of fiber from dietary sources such as bran or psyllium husk can reduce cholesterol and blood pressure in people with high cholesterol.
• It helps with gut health - A study found that a daily intake of 1/4 cup of fiber from whole grains, such as brown rice, millet, or oatmeal, along with an increased intake of vegetables, fruits, and legumes, can improve bowel movements and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
• It helps with energy production - A study found that a daily intake of 1/4 cup of fiber from whole grains and an increased intake of protein can help increase energy production in people who are underweight or anorexic.

4 Ways to Enjoy the Benefits of Black Tea

We’ve already discussed some of the health benefits of black tea, but what exactly are the ways that you can enjoy the benefits of this plant-based beverage? Here are 4 ways: 

1. Drink it plain

Black tea is naturally caffeine-free and has no additives or preservatives. Simply pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over 1/2 cup of black tea leaves and allow it to steep for 3 minutes.

2. Drink it with sugar

If you like your tea sweet, try adding a spoonful of sugar to your cup of tea. This sweetness will help to balance out the sourness in your stomach that may result from drinking black tea alone.

3. Drink it with honey

Honey is a natural sweetener that’s full of antioxidants and compounds that may benefit your health. You can also try adding raw sugar to your cup of tea if you’re not a fan of sweeteners.

4. Drink it with milk

Try adding milk to your tea to create a richer, creamier taste. If you like your tea strong, this may be a good option for you.

Conclusion