Comparing healthy herbal teas versus black teas involves weighing the benefits of each and how the teas fit your needs. Ongoing research suggests that black tea offers numerous health benefits. Antioxidant-rich black tea may well deserve a place in a healthy diet. Herbal teas provide a caffeine-free beverage and some have a reputation for treating common maladies, although further research is needed. As with any treatment, consult your doctor before consuming herbal remedies.
Background
Black tea, along with green tea and oolong tea, comes from the Camellia sinesis plant. Black tea derives its characteristic deep flavor from oxidization during the drying process. Herbal teas, which contain either a single herb or a blend of plant material, may include roots, stems, buds, flower petals, rose hips, fruit, citrus peel, seeds and leaves, depending on the specific herbal tea.
Caffeine
Many herbal teas offer a healthy hot beverage or iced tea alternative for people sensitive to caffeine. Herbal teas made entirely from herbs are caffeine free, but mates, such as yerba mate, do contain caffeine, the American Pregnancy Association advises. Herbal tea provides a soothing drink any time of day, even before bed, and won't interfere with your ability to fall asleep. The caffeine in black tea may elevate metabolism and increase alertness.
Benefits
Black tea may reduce the risk of certain cancers and prevent coronary heart disease, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Based on preliminary research, green and black tea seem to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Herbal teas have a long history of use for various health conditions, including the use of ginger for nausea and raspberry leaf for pregnancy-related issues, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Commercial herbal teas are generally considered safe to consume, although purported health claims of many herbal remedies need further research for confirmation.
Antioxidants
In general, teas from Camellia sinesis contain higher levels of antioxidants than herbal teas. Antioxidants help protect the body from free radicals -- compounds that damage cells, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Herbal teas that provide comparable levels of antioxidant properties as true teas include oregano, lemon myrtle and guava teas, according to findings by researchers from Malaysia's Monash University published in the March 2010 "Journal of Food Composition and Analysis."
Considerations
Consult your doctor before consuming herbal teas or supplements. Some herbs can interfere with medications, have side effects or should be avoided by people with certain medical conditions or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Caffeine can reach the fetus; thus, pregnant women should consult their doctors about caffeine intake.
Some people experience nervousness, heart palpitations and insomnia from caffeine. Using decaffeinated or caffeine-free beverages or consuming smaller amounts of caffeine in divided doses can reduce the risk of negative caffeine reactions. For example, have a 6 oz. cup of tea with breakfast and another at lunch, rather than a large mug at one sitting.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- American Pregnancy Association: Drinking Herbal Teas During Pregnancy
- "Journal of Food Composition and Analysis"; Antioxidant Properties of Tropical and Temperate Herbal Teas; E.W.C. Chan, et al.; March 2010
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