Many people start their mornings with a cup of black tea, mostly because it is a comforting ritual. For some people, they use this bold-flavoured tea to boost their energy or relieve their stress. However, black tea has various health benefits, enhancing your overall health in ways you never imagined. The array of compounds found in black tea makes the drink a wonderful addition to your daily diet. Here are some major health benefits you receive from drinking black tea.
1. Heart Health’s Best Friend
Black tea helps your heart to function efficiently and can even reduce the risks of heart disease. This beverage contains flavonoids, which reduce the bad cholesterol levels. It also contributes to healthy blood vessel function and lowers blood pressure if consumed regularly. Studies show that people might preserve their cardiovascular system’s health by drinking black tea, especially if three to four cups are consumed daily.
2. A Guardian for Gut Health
Your gut health receives significant support from black tea due to the polyphenols it contains. While these compounds fight harmful bacteria and lower inflammation, they boost the good bacteria in your gut. As a result, your digestive system improves and the risks of stomach ulcers are reduced. Therefore, drinking black tea when your stomach feels upset might not be a bad idea. You may just feel better from the tea’s gut-friendly properties.
3. Regulating Blood Sugar Levels
The polyphenols in black tea are also beneficial in stabilising your sugar levels and enhancing insulin sensitivity. Managing blood sugar is essential to prevent severe conditions like diabetes. When you drink black tea, the polyphenols make your body absorb the sugar from food more slowly. This helps to balance the post-meal blood sugar levels. Research has shown black tea may be a good addition to the diets of diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals, especially if they skip adding sugar.
4. Boosting Brain Function
Black tea’s blend of caffeine and L-theanine boosts your brain function, even more than coffee. Black tea can help you to be alert, focused, and remain concentrated. Unlike coffee, you will not experience burnout. Additionally, black tea’s antioxidants reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. This can prevent you from experiencing cognitive decline and even dementia. Rather than coffee, you can opt for black tea to start your day with a clear mentality.
5. Strengthening the Immune System
While you may drink black tea to feel energised at the beginning of your day, you’re also helping your immune system. Black tea strengthens your immune system, making you less vulnerable to illnesses. The antioxidants in the tea enhance your body’s defences against infections. Another compound in black tea that strengthens your immune system is tannins, which contain natural antimicrobial properties. This can make you less susceptible to colds if you consume black tea regularly. Even when you get a cold, you may recover quicker than usual.
6. Building Stronger Bones
One of the most surprising health benefits of black tea is that it supports your bones. The phytochemicals in black tea strengthen your bones, which naturally lose their density as you age. The benefits do not stop there; research shows that black tea’s fluoride content strengthens the teeth and prevents cavities. Research also indicates that people who drink black tea long-term will have stronger bones, making it a great option for preserving your health as you age.
7. Aiding in Cancer Prevention
Studies show that black tea might help prevent cancer. The antioxidants, especially polyphenols, in black tea fight free radicals. These free radicals can lead to cellular damage. Studies indicate that individuals who regularly consume black tea have a lower risk of developing certain cancers, such as ovarian and lung cancer. While it is not a miracle tea that can save you on its own, it can enhance your health and reduce risk when combined with a healthy lifestyle.