Black tea benefits: why it's good for your gut and your heart
The black tea benefits worth knowing, from healthier gut microbiota and lower cholesterol to reduced stroke, heart attack and cancer risk.
Fresh TL;DR: Besides water and coffee, black tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. The black tea benefits are real and quietly wide-ranging: antioxidants, lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, reduced stroke risk, and healthier gut microbiota linked to lower rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and even cancer. Studies link four or more cups a day to bigger benefits.
Besides water and coffee, black tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. A cup of hot tea brings comfort, especially so when the temperatures are low. While the advantages of green tea are many and well-known, recent research has shown that black tea positively impacts weight loss, heart health, and contributes to healthier gut microbiota.
Black tea has different health benefits thanks to its antioxidants and compounds that reduce inflammations in the body. Black tea has antioxidant properties, is good for the heart, lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces the risk of stroke, and improves intestinal health, which is the focus here.
What are the main black tea benefits?
Black tea has antioxidant properties, is good for the heart, lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces the risk of stroke, and improves intestinal health. Its compounds also reduce inflammations in the body and support healthier gut microbiota, which is tied to lower rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and cancer.
How does black tea affect your gut?
According to some studies, the types of bacteria in your intestine play a role in reducing certain health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and even cancer.
According to a study conducted by the University of California and published in the European Journal of Nutrition, black tea improves gut microbiota and intestinal function. The author of the study, Susanne Henning, says that each person has trillions of microorganisms and diverse bacterial communities, the gut microbiota, which live in our gastrointestinal tract.
What is gut microbiota, really?
Microbiota is a diversified ecological community of microorganisms that are usually a combination of beneficial and potentially harmful bacteria. The human intestine is similar to a rat intestine and usually houses more than 100 trillion microorganisms.
The colonies start living in our intestines as soon as we are born. They are essential for the healthy development of our immune system and several neurobiological and physiological functions.
How many cups should you drink?
According to studies in the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Western Australia, drinking four or more cups a day of black tea increases its benefits. It reduces the risk of many diseases and disorders, including strokes, heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer.
Similarly, participants who drank more than six cups of black tea a day had a significantly smaller prevalence in the development of coronary heart diseases, compared to those who didn’t, according to a study by the King Saud University.
Why pick black tea over other drinks?
These and other benefits make black tea an excellent option for non-sweet, low-calorie beverage with less caffeine than coffee and energy drinks. Black tea has a unique flavor and can be easily found at natural health stores and supermarkets.
A gentle closing thought
Black tea is a quiet, everyday habit that happens to do a lot of good work in the background. Try it if you haven’t yet, and reap all of its benefits.
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Frequently asked questions
How much black tea should I drink for the benefits?
According to studies in the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Western Australia, drinking four or more cups a day of black tea increases its benefits. It reduces the risk of many diseases and disorders, including strokes, heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer.
Is black tea good for the heart?
Yes. Black tea is good for the heart, lowers LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduces the risk of stroke. Participants who drank more than six cups of black tea a day had a significantly smaller prevalence in the development of coronary heart diseases, according to a study by the King Saud University.
How does black tea help gut health?
According to a study conducted by the University of California and published in the European Journal of Nutrition, black tea improves gut microbiota and intestinal function. The types of bacteria in your intestine play a role in reducing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and even cancer.
How is black tea different from coffee?
Black tea is an excellent option for a non-sweet, low-calorie beverage with less caffeine than coffee and energy drinks. It has a unique flavor and can be easily found at natural health stores and supermarkets.
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