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Benefits of Black Tea And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2020

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Black Tea is an age old drink which can be consumed either as a hot or cold beverage. Black tea is usually known for its ability to improve the mental alertness of the body. It helps in processing information in the brain cells and enhances memory and learning abilities. It has more than one medicinal value that it can get associated with.

It has various health benefits that include preventing heart diseases, treating headaches, low blood pressure. Black tea also has been used extensively in treating Parkinson disease, Colon cancer, lung cancer, ovarian and breast cancers. In some parts of the world black tea has proven to prevent decaying of teeth and in treating kidney stones. It also has some substances like antioxidants that help protect the blood vessels of the heart.

Black Tea

Camellia sinesis plant produces black tea leaves. This is the same plant which also produces Green tea. Though, green tea is extracted from the fresh green leaves of the plan, black tea leaves are usually oxidized and then prepared and packaged. The process of oxidation helps the fresh green leaves to turn dark brown or black in color. They contain antioxidants known as polyphenols which help in protecting the damage of body cells from DNA.

Black tea is fully oxidized tea. Black tea contains theophylline and caffeine too. The caffeine content is considerably less. It can be said that it is just about 2 to 4 percent caffeine. But both these elements are known to speed-up the heart rate and help a person feel more alert.

Nutritional Value of Black Tea (Kali Chai)

Black tea generally has a stronger flavor in comparison to any other tea and attributes to its various nutritional values. As black tea stores better than other types of tea, it retains the flavor for several years. Black tea with whole leaf is considered to be one of the best qualities, whereas broken leaves are often used to make tea bags. It has absolutely no calories. Black tea also helps in reducing the risk of clogged arteries especially in women.

Nutritional facts Per 100 grams

1
Calories
3 mg
Sodium
37 mg
Potassium
0.3 g
Total Carbohydrate

Health Benefits of Black Tea

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Mentioned below are the best health benefits of Black Tea (Kali Chai)

Helps in Body Metabolism

It is said from time ancient that black tea helps the overall metabolic condition in a human body. With extensive science and research happening all over the world, scientists have come-up explaining how consumption of black tea on regular basis can cut down the risk of developing cancer.

This is facilitated by the components called Polyphenols that can shrink almost 80% of mammary tumors. This reduces the risk of breast cancer in women and helps to prevent any kind of cancer in general.

Beneficial For Brain Functioning

Black tea is beneficial for the functioning of the brain and cerebral health too. Caffeine is supposed to be one of the best brain boosters and it is found in black tea. While consuming caffeine in excess is considered as a bad practice, caffeine in black tea works as a stimulant.

So, though effects like immediate increased alertness, attention span and wakefulness play well, it also subsides quickly without any side effects. L-Theanine and Caffeine present in black tea increases reaction time and eradicates mental fatigue. It also has a calming and relaxing effect on the mind.

Prevents Parkinson's Disease

A study says that drinking 20-25 cups of black tea a month can reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in human body. Parkinson’s is a degenerative condition which affects balanced movements amongst the aged. A research based on analyzed dietary data found that Chinese men and women who practiced regular consumption of black tea reduced their risk of Parkinson’s by 45%.

Helps Clear Up The Lungs

Caffeine which is present in black tea can also be considered as a drug, which is quite similar to theophylline. Theophylline is known to be a bronchodilator drug. This drug helps in opening-up the air-valves in the lungs. This relieves the symptoms of asthma such as breathlessness, wheezing and coughing etc.

Aids As An Antioxidant

Black tea contains flavonoids, such as epicatechins, hearubigins, and catechins. It is a type of antioxidant. Many studies in the recent past have shown that regular intake of black tea lowers the risk of developing arterial stiffness in the heart. This is due to the presence of flavonoids. The flavonoids help in promoting heart health by improving blood vessel function and in turn improving the cholesterol levels.

Helps Diabetics

Diabetes is of 2 types - One which can be controlled with insulin and the other does not have any impact on blood sugar levels. For the latter, the body becomes insensitive to insulin. Studies have shown that drinking black tea for Type 2 kind of diabetes is an excellent boost. This is due to the presence of polyphenols which act as an antioxidant. This happens thanks to a certain complex biochemical reaction which helps sensitize cells to better metabolize sugar in Type 2 diabetes patients.

Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Two of the major health issues faced by people around the world are cholesterol and obesity. This is due to the eating habits and sedentary life styles. While cholesterol occurs naturally and plays a pivotal role in human body, it needs to be present in small amounts. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) is an important carrier of cholesterol in the human body. Moderate inclusion of black tea in a daily diet reduces LDL cholesterol by significant amounts, which therefore reduces the risk of heart diseases

Helps in Stomach Upset

You think you have an upset stomach? It could even be worse, diarrhea? Having a nice strong cup of black tea could be an instant solution. Black tea has an astringent effect on the intestinal lining. This helps in calming the inflammation in intestines and further helps in controlling diarrhea.

Helps Relive Stomach Cramps

For thousands of years, tea has been used as a digestive aid which can be consumed after regular meals. It also helps in relieving stomach cramps. Black tea also combats the bad bacteria in the stomach.

Boosts Metabolism

Black tea has phytochemicals, plant polyphenols and antioxidants which are predominantly associated with boosting metabolism. They also ward off cancer.

Various studies have depicted that, 3 cups of black tea helps speed the metabolism rate.

Acts Like A Liquidator

Black tea is used as a liquidator in skin treatments. Free radical is the process by which atoms from our skin are taken away from molecules. This causes skin damage by speeding the process of skin aging. It fights free radicals and cleans-up acne. The caffeine present in black tea helps minimize puffiness of the eyes. It can also be splashed on the face to give a refreshing feel or better still, you can soak your face with black tea leaves to help you rejuvenate after a day spent outdoors.

Contains Flavonoids

Scientists around the globe have confirmed that the flavonoids that are present in black tea have tremendous potential to support weight loss. The flavonoids that cause the weight loss are called catechins. Black tea retains a small amount of catechins. These flavonoids increase the energy expenditure or in other words the calories burned in human body post black tea consumption significantly increases.

Uses of Black Tea

Black tea has claimed to be the second most popular drink around the world, after water. This popularity stems from the many widely acknowledged and recognized benefits of tea. Black tea is also used as one of the ingredients in beauty and grooming products.

There are some facials and face packs wherein black tea is used. Countries, such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh use black tea with a mixture of henna along with some herbs. This is then applied to the hair as a substitute to hair color. This is because the concoction is supposed to be natural and chemical free.

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Side-Effects and Allergies of Black Tea

Anything that is consumed in high amount definitely tends to have certain side effects.

  • Irregular heart beat
  • Feeling nauseatic
  • Anxiety and difficulty sleeping
  • Faster breathing
  • Increase in urination
  • Sometimes causes Headache
  • Nervousness and restlessness

Origin And Cultivation of Black Tea

Anything that is consumed in high amount definitely tends to have certain side effects.

  • Irregular heart beat
  • Feeling nauseatic
  • Anxiety and difficulty sleeping
  • Faster breathing
  • Increase in urination
  • Sometimes causes Headache
  • Nervousness and restlessness

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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