When considering the many health benefits of tea, green tea is usually the focus of researchers’ attention, as it has proven to be a well-rounded beverage that can aid in cancer prevention, weight loss, and many other areas of concern. However, green tea is not actually the most popular tea worldwide despite its many perks. Black tea is the most widely consumed tea, and because of its popularity, researchers are starting to examine the many health benefits of this variety and are finding pleasantly surprising results.
The most common benefit we see from green tea is a high content of antioxidants, which aid in cancer prevention and the neutralization of free radicals. Before further research was conducted, many experts and consumers assumed that, because black tea is dried and fermented unlike green tea, it loses cancer-fighting properties. This myth has now been abated by further research and has established that black tea does have a high content of polyphenols, or antioxidants, just like green tea, and therefore, can also help in fighting the development of cancer cells. Though this fact can seem surprising at first, we should remember that all tea comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, and the true difference in the varieties has to do with when they are picked and how they are processed, not their biological composition. It actually makes sense, then, that black tea would have many of the same natural properties as green tea that contribute to good health.
Black tea is also great for cardiovascular health, as it promotes optimal function of blood vessels and reduces the presence of bad cholesterol, or LDL. In improving blood flow, the benefit gained is a lessened risk of heart attack or stroke, which is amazing, considering this benefit comes from simply drinking black tea consistently. Furthermore, black tea can slow the absorption of blood sugar into the body, leading to a reduced risk of diabetes with regular consumption. Another interesting fact is that black tea promotes good dental health, as tea contains fluoride that can prevent cavities.
Lastly, black tea contains a significant amount of caffeine and thus helps in boosting the metabolism just as green tea or coffee does. Raising your metabolism directly correlates with personal weight loss, and though green tea has held bragging rights regarding this benefit for many years, we are now finding that black tea can serve the same purpose and also provide an excellent early morning beverage. With all the health benefits to be gained from drinking a cup of strong, flavorful black tea, why hesitate in selecting it over a cup of green tea? Overall, tea, no matter how it is processed, is a healthy beverage to enjoy, so feel free to indulge!
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Tags: black tea, black tea vs. green tea, tea health benefits