Black Tea Benefits

[soufeast]

Numerous studies have trumpeted the cardiovascular benefits of green tea, the beverage of choice in much of the Far East. But elsewhere in the world, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, black tea reigns supreme, and fewer studies have examined its heart-healthy properties.

In terms of its rich antioxidant properties, black tea comes next to green tea. The most commonly used and the most popular tea in the West, black tea is originally green tea with the leaves further dried - this changes its color and taste. Black Tea undergoes full oxidation and fermentation. The leaves thus turn black and receive their strong, typical flavor. The oxidation process is stopped once the aroma and flavor develops completely. The leaves are further crushed to various sizes, sorted out and stored according to their sizes.

Black tea is the foundation upon which the popular varieties of English tea are derived from. And many might be delighted to find out that black tea, aside from being an enjoyable drink, can actually be good for the health.

Recent studies in leading medical journals declare black tea a potential heart tonic, cancer blocker, fat buster, immune stimulant, arthritis soother, virus fighter and cholesterol detoxifier. Not bad for a lowly shrub soaked in a little hot water.

"Tea is beating all scientific expectations as the most potent health beverage ever," says researcher John Weisburger at the American Health Foundation. "The many ways tea can promote health is truly astonishing."

Here?s how black tea can potentially benefit your health:

Black Tea Saves arteries. Drinking black tea helps prevent deadly clogging of arteries and reverses poor arterial functioning that can trigger heart attacks and strokes. In arecent test, Joseph Vita, M.D., of the Boston University School of Medicine, had heart patients drink either plain water or four cups of black tea daily. In a month, impaired blood vessel functioning (a risk factor for heart attack and strokes) improved about 50% in the black tea drinkers.

Black Tea Inhibits cancer growth. Tea has long been tied to a lower risk of stomach, colon and breast cancer, although the connection is not proven. Now lab studies find that black tea chemicals actually may stop cancer growth. Rutgers University researchers showed that a compound in black tea called TF-2 caused colorectal cancer cells to "commit suicide"; normal cells were unaffected.

Black Tea Tames inflammation. TF-2, the newly discovered anti-cancer compound in black tea, suppresses the Cox-2 gene that triggers inflammation, says research at Rutgers.

Black Tea Wipes out viruses. Previous tests prove black tea can neutralize germs, including some that cause diarrhea, pneumonia, cystitis and skin infections. New research by Milton Schiffenbauer of Pace University finds that black and green tea deactivates viruses, including herpes. When you drink tea, he says, chances are good you will wipe out viruses in your mouth.




For the best benefit ... Drink both black and green tea, the regular kind sold in bags or leaves in grocery stores. Their antioxidants are equal.

[Toronto_BBer]

Nice Article!

One question is there the same benefits if I drink black tea with milk, mixed together?

*reps*

[oolongtea]

good job,but I think every Tea has there share of benefits black,green or oolong. Just enjoy the tea man,that is important.For more information regarding tea please visit my site http://mytealogic.com/

[Honey75]

Personally, I like green tea best.

[GetHimABodyBag]

Numerous studies have trumpeted the cardiovascular benefits of green tea, the beverage of choice in much of the Far East. But elsewhere in the world, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, black tea reigns supreme, and fewer studies have examined its heart-healthy properties.

In terms of its rich antioxidant properties, black tea comes next to green tea. The most commonly used and the most popular tea in the West, black tea is originally green tea with the leaves further dried - this changes its color and taste. Black Tea undergoes full oxidation and fermentation. The leaves thus turn black and receive their strong, typical flavor. The oxidation process is stopped once the aroma and flavor develops completely. The leaves are further crushed to various sizes, sorted out and stored according to their sizes.

Black tea is the foundation upon which the popular varieties of English tea are derived from. And many might be delighted to find out that black tea, aside from being an enjoyable drink, can actually be good for the health.

Recent studies in leading medical journals declare black tea a potential heart tonic, cancer blocker, fat buster, immune stimulant, arthritis soother, virus fighter and cholesterol detoxifier. Not bad for a lowly shrub soaked in a little hot water.

"Tea is beating all scientific expectations as the most potent health beverage ever," says researcher John Weisburger at the American Health Foundation. "The many ways tea can promote health is truly astonishing."

Here?s how black tea can potentially benefit your health:

Black Tea Saves arteries. Drinking black tea helps prevent deadly clogging of arteries and reverses poor arterial functioning that can trigger heart attacks and strokes. In arecent test, Joseph Vita, M.D., of the Boston University School of Medicine, had heart patients drink either plain water or four cups of black tea daily. In a month, impaired blood vessel functioning (a risk factor for heart attack and strokes) improved about 50% in the black tea drinkers.

Black Tea Inhibits cancer growth. Tea has long been tied to a lower risk of stomach, colon and breast cancer, although the connection is not proven. Now lab studies find that black tea chemicals actually may stop cancer growth. Rutgers University researchers showed that a compound in black tea called TF-2 caused colorectal cancer cells to "commit suicide"; normal cells were unaffected.

Black Tea Tames inflammation. TF-2, the newly discovered anti-cancer compound in black tea, suppresses the Cox-2 gene that triggers inflammation, says research at Rutgers.

Black Tea Wipes out viruses. Previous tests prove black tea can neutralize germs, including some that cause diarrhea, pneumonia, cystitis and skin infections. New research by Milton Schiffenbauer of Pace University finds that black and green tea deactivates viruses, including herpes. When you drink tea, he says, chances are good you will wipe out viruses in your mouth.




For the best benefit ... Drink both black and green tea, the regular kind sold in bags or leaves in grocery stores. Their antioxidants are equal.

thanks for the read, check out chinese markets/asian markets for bo lay/bo nay/pu erh tea.

[javyn]

There is much debate on this...if you had posted the question on a tea affecionado's forum, you'd have started a 30 page flamefest heheh. Milk is used in black tea to bind the tannins, so it is easier on your stomach. Does binding the tannins mean it's not as good for you now? Open question still, I believe.

Anyway, I just wanted to comment on this thread by saying, the differences in antioxidants between the different varities (processing) of teas is really marginal. If you enjoy black tea more than green tea, drink black tea. You'll make up for the somewhat lower antiox levels by drinking more of it since it is more enjoyable.

If you can't handle the caffeine and/or tannins of tea, you may want to try a tisane called rooibos. It has much more antiox power than green tea, and not only does it have no caffeine, but it's an excellent nerve relaxer to calm you down. I remember the first time I brewed my mother a strong cup of rooibos she fell (backwards) down the stairs giggling the whole way.

One question is there the same benefits if I drink black tea with milk, mixed together?

[chinchillables]

Good article. Especially being that a lot of people think the only good tea is green tea and sometimes white tea. People and their bandwagon jumping... baahhh...

[enjoyingtea]

Black tea is popular tea and healthy delicious drink. I like to drink for its health benefits. It can help lower the risk of stroke because of high levels of flavonoids.

[JohnButz]

Good Stuff!