After water, tea is the most popular beverage worldwide. All tea is made from the Camellia Sinensis Plant, and different methods of harvesting and processing it produces various kinds of tea.

After being harvested, the black tea leaves are subject to a series of steps: wilting and bruising, rolling, and oxidationTrustedSource.

When leaves are left exposed to the atmosphere for too long, they can oxidize. The leaves chemicals are broken down by enzymes, which gives them their familiar brown color and smell.

Although the process of making green Tea is identical, it doesn’t involve oxidation. Black tea may have nutritional benefits that green tea does not.

Benefits

Antioxidants in tea may fight free radicals.

The United States Tea Association estimates that black tea was 84% of all tea consumed in the United States in 2018.

Green tea and black tea might have similar health benefits. Many studies have focused on black tea and how it may affect health.

A key area of interest is black tea as a source of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are used to combat free radicals. Free radicals, unstable molecules found in the body due to natural processes or environmental pressures, can be caused by both natural and artificial processes.

Although the body can remove free radicals, too many can cause damage to cells or other problems.

These changes can lead to many conditions and diseases, including atherosclerosis and certain cancers.

Tea is one of the best sources of antioxidants. One study found that phenolic substances, which have antioxidant effects, make up as much as 30%Trusted Source of the dry weight of green or black tea.

Due to the oxidation process, black tea has different antioxidants than green tea. Catechins are the main ingredient in green tea. These catechins are converted to theaflavins and thearubigins during oxidation.

These could give black tea benefits that are different from green tea.

Atherosclerosis protection

Atherosclerosis is a condition that causes plaque buildup in the walls and arteries. This can cause coronary disease, stroke, and chronic renal disease. Free radicals can cause this condition.

A 2004 hamster study showed that drinking black or green tea in human-equivalent amounts might help prevent atherosclerosis. This is a finding that requires more research on humans.

According to one study, drinking three or more tea cups per day may help prevent coronary heart disease.

It is important to remember that black tea has a caffeine Trusted Source. Drinking more than three cups daily would add significant caffeine to one’s daily intake.

Researchers discovered evidence that people who consumed four cups or more of black tea per day had a lower chance of suffering strokes in 2013.

Lowering cancer risk

Findings cited by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) suggest that the polyphenols in tea may decrease Trusted Source the risk of tumor growth.

In particular, black tea may help reduce Trusted Source the risk of skin, breast, lung, and prostate cancers.

However, more research is needed to determine if tea drinking as a diet can reduce the risk.

Lowering blood pressure

A 2015 study found that black tea could lower diastolic and systolic blood-pressure.

Black tea may also reduce blood pressure when consumed with high-fat meals.

This benefit was maintained despite the high caffeine content of the tea. This was, however, a small study that involved only 19 people. More extensive studies will be needed to confirm the results.

Diabetes prevention

Some research has suggested that consuming tea might help reduce the risk of diabetes.

In one study Trusted Source, people with rheumatoid arthritis protect against Parkinson’s disease.

Nutrition

NCI notes that tea contains trusted source

• Alkaloids include caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine
• amino acids
• carbohydrates
• proteins
• chlorophyll
• Fluoride
• Aluminum
• Minerals and trace elements
• Volatile organic compounds are what give it its smell and taste.

Black tea’s antioxidant properties are due to its high levels of polyphenols. Polyphenols are chemical substances that protect plants against ultraviolet radiation and disease-causing pathogens.

One type of polyphenol is flavonoids. They are found in grapes, red wines, and many other foods.

Polyphenols have an antioxidant effect that may protect your body from disease-causing changes.

Tips to Serve

Black tea is a healthy way to get a caffeine boost. The tea is low in calories, particularly if someone doesn’t add sugar.

There are many ways to adjust the flavor of your food without using sugar or sweeteners.

• blending the tea with spices, such as cinnamon
• Adding lemon juice
• adding mint

It can be used in cooking. It is an example of how they can use it.

Stock: Black Tea can add a smokey flavor to soups containing red meats or mushrooms.

Poaching liquids: Black tea is a great way to infuse food with aroma. Poaching mushrooms in lapsang Souchong black tea is one option.

To cook beans and grains

Add the flavor of tea to warm milk, and then add it to desserts. Or infuse Earl Grey black tea into a chocolate mousse.

Risques

Drinking black tea can pose some health risks. These risks are discussed in greater detail in the following sections.

Toxic elements

All brewed tea has minerals that can make it poisonous.

Tea contains lead and aluminum. These heavy metals can cause severe health problems if consumed in large amounts. Some teas may contain small amounts of arsenic or cadmium, but these are not harmful.

High levels of manganese are also found in black tea. This mineral is essential for the body, but excessive amounts can cause toxic effects.

The concentration of toxic elements in tea will increase the longer it is brewed. The risk of ingesting toxic elements in tea can be reduced by brewing it for no more than 3 minutes.

Tea leaves may have pesticide residues depending on how and where it was grown. This is why it is important to limit how much tea you drink each day.

Caffeine effects

Black tea has around 2-4% caffeine.

People who are sensitive to caffeine could experience insomnia, cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat

diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome

eye pressure, and possible glaucoma

An increase or decrease in blood sugar

An increase in blood pressure

A loss of Calcium via the urine could cause weak bones and possible Osteoporosis.

Tea drinkers who have any of these symptoms or regularly consume tea should reduce their intake. If the symptoms persist, it is a good idea to consult a doctor.

Anemia

Tannins are found in black tea. One 2017 review trusted source discovered that while tea may provide antioxidants, it can also decrease the body’s ability for iron absorption.

People with iron deficiency should not drink tea or eat iron-rich meals while taking iron supplements.

You should allow an hour for black tea consumption before you eat.

Interactions between drugs and supplements

Black tea and its caffeine can interact with various medications and supplements.

These medications include, but are not limited to:

Adenosine – Doctors give this drug to patients before they perform a cardiac stress exam.

Antibiotics – Some antibiotics can affect how the body processes caffeine.

Carbamazepine (Tegretol). : Caffeine could reduce the effectiveness of this drug in preventing seizures.

Ephedrine – is also a stimulant. Combining them could cause side effects.

Patients taking medication should talk to their doctor about caffeine intake via tea or coffee. This could impact their drug interactions and increase their chance of side effects.

Composition

Ready-to-drink and iced teas can be less healthy than plain black tea. This is because the ingredients are different. Instant and flavored teas can contain sugar or other components.

The calorie count of tea can be increased by adding sugar, milk cream, cream, or syrups. This may lead to a decrease in its health benefits.