Black tea, as well as green, white and oolong teas, are derived from the plant Camellia sinensis. Made from the stems and leaves of the plant, black tea is similar to green tea except it is fermented. People may drink black tea for taste, but it can also be good for you and may offer some health benefits like helping to boost your metabolism and possibly protecting against some health problems like heart attacks.
Antioxidants
Black tea is healthy and can be beneficial, mainly because of the antioxidants found in the leaves from which the tea is made. In a January 2009 article in "The Huffington Post," bestselling author Dr. Eric Braverman states that black tea has 10 times the amount of antioxidants compared to vegetables and fruits. Black tea is also the darkest of the four Camellia sinensis teas; Braverman notes that the darker the tea, the more polyphenols -- a type of antioxidant -- there are. Antioxidants protect you from free radicals -- molecules that can cause illness or death.
Uses
According to MedlinePlus, black tea is used to enhance alertness and it may even help protect against health issues including Parkinson's disease, ovarian cancer and heart attacks. To determine how likely black tea is to help these conditions, the "Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database" gives a rank for each use. The scale ranks it as Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. As black tea contains caffeine, its ability to enhance mental alertness ranks as a "Likely Effective." Decreasing your chances of heart attacks, Parkinson's and ovarian disease in women are all given a "Possibly Effective."
Benefits
Because it's a diuretic, black tea works as a natural cleanser. Dr. Eric Braverman notes that by consuming black tea, you're helping your body remove toxins from foods. Braverman also states that black tea may be able to help you lower your cholesterol. A study published in October 2003 in "The Journal of Nutrition" suggests a possible link between LDL levels, otherwise known as "bad" cholesterol and black tea. In reference to the study, one of the researchers states on the USDA website that after a mere 3 weeks, there was a 6 to 10 percent decrease in blood fats, or lipids, of individuals who consumed black tea. MayoClinic.com also suggests that consuming 1 cup a day of black tea may help reduce your chances of developing kidney stones.
Support Metabolism and Lose Weight
If you're trying to shed unwanted pounds, black tea may be able to help you lose the weight. A study published in the December 2005 issue of the "Alternative Medicine Review" indicates that black tea extract and caffeine -- which also helps to suppress appetite and provides an energy kick -- may give your metabolic rate a boost. Braverman reports that by drinking 1 cup of black, oolong or green tea after each meal daily, you may be able to shed 5 percent more weight.
References
- "The Huffington Post"; Lose Weight and Stay Warm with Tea; Eric Braverman; Jan. 21, 2009
- MedlinePlus; Black Tea; Nov. 10, 2010
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Black Tea Consumption Reduces Total and LDL Cholesterol in Mildly Hypercholesterolemic Adults; Michael J. Davies et al.; Oct. 2003
- USDA: Study Shows Tea Consumption Lowers Blood Cholesterol
- MayoClinic.com; Kidney Stones Alternative Medicine; Nov. 5, 2010
- The "Alternative Medicine Review"; The Effect of an Herbal Supplement Containing Black Tea and Caffeine on Metabolic Parameters in Humans; AT Roberts, L. de Jonge-Levitan, CC Parker and F. Greenway; Dec. 2005
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