BLACK TEA
Black tea is rich in antioxidants that may provide benefits including improved heart and gut health, lowered “bad” LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
Aside from water, black tea is one of the most consumedTrusted Source beverages in the world.
Black tea also offers a variety of health benefits because it contains antioxidants and compounds that may help reduce inflammation in the body.
Benefits of black tea
Here are 10 health benefits of black tea, all supported by science.
- Has antioxidant properties
Antioxidants are known to provide a host of health benefits.
Black tea contains a group of polyphenols that have antioxidant properties. Consuming antioxidants may help decrease the risk of chronic disease and improve your overall health.
- May boost heart health
Black tea contains flavonoids, which are beneficial for heart health. Studies have found that regularly drinking black tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- May lower “bad” LDL cholesterol
LDL and HDL are two types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol throughout the body. Too much LDL in the body can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Studies have found that black tea may help reduce LDL levels, but results are mixed.
- May improve gut health
The gut houses trillions of bacteria and the majority of your immune system. Polyphenols and antimicrobial properties found in black tea may help improve gut health and immunity.
- May help reduce blood pressure
High blood pressure can cause many health complications. Drinking black tea on a regular basis may help decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- May help reduce the risk of stroke
Stroke is the second leading cause of death globally. Fortunately, in many cases, it can be prevented. Studies have found that black tea may help reduce the risk of stroke.
- May lower blood sugar levels
Insulin is a hormone that is secreted when you consume sugar. Black tea is a great non-sweetened beverage that may help improve the use of insulin and reduce blood sugar.
- May help reduce the risk of cancer
Black tea contains polyphenols, which may help fight cancer cells in the body. Although consuming black tea will not cure cancer, it may help decrease cancer cell development and reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.
- May improve focus
Black tea can help improve focus due to its content of caffeine and an amino acid called L-theanine. This amino acid increases alpha activity in the brain, which can help improve focus and alertness.
- Easy to make
Making black tea is simple and takes only a couple minutes. You can use either tea bags or loose leaves and adjust the taste to your preference.