Reasons why you should sip on black tea
Featuring a strong flavor and high caffeine content, black tea is one of the most common beverages enjoyed around the world. Derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, it is loaded with multiple nutrients which make it super wholesome. With that said, here are the top five health benefits of black tea that make it the perfect addition to your daily diet.
Good for heart
Black tea has antioxidants called flavonoids that make it heart-friendly. Consuming flavonoids can significantly stabilize your blood pressure, LDL "bad" cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels, which improves your heart health. Additionally, it can also prevent obesity, which is one of the leading causes of heart-related diseases. How, you ask? Well, it has potential weight loss effects as it decreases oxidative stress and calorie consumption.
Improves gut health
Black tea is great for your gut health as it fosters the growth of good bacteria in your gut. These bacteria can reduce the risk of health conditions like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory bowel syndrome. It also helps repair the digestive tract, thanks to its potent antimicrobial properties and immunity-boosting agents. Need we say more?
Reduces the risk of cancer
Besides other vital nutrients, black tea also has polyphenols which can come in handy to fight cancer-causing cells in the body. It may not cure cancer altogether but has the potential to help decrease cancer cell development and reduce the risk of certain types of cancers that may affect breasts, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, ovaries, thyroid, etc.
Lowers blood sugar levels
High blood sugar can trigger conditions like diabetes, kidney failure, obesity, stroke, and depression. As per research, black tea has shown promising results in reducing high levels of sugar in the blood, especially after consuming food. It is also known to improve insulin sensitivity. In a study, participants who consumed 75 gm of glucose with a cup of black tea showcased lower insulin response.
Makes you more focused and alert
Black tea has more caffeine than most of its counterparts but of course lesser than coffee. It also has a good amount of an amino acid called L-theanine, which promotes relaxation and a better attention span, making you more focused and alert. In a study, participants who consumed 250 ml of black tea were able to finish cognitive tasks easily with no errors.
