If you truly want to stay off soda, black tea is a great alternative to keep you hydrated because it has many health benefits.
Black tea benefits include boosting heart health, reducing bad cholesterol and decreased blood pressure. It’s an alternative to water because it contains zero calories.
Aside benefits of green tea with lemon, here are some health benefits of black tea every woman should know:
It contains antioxidants
Consuming antioxidants can help remove free radicals and decrease cell damage in the body. This ultimately helps decrease the risk of chronic diseases. Black tea contains Polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that fights cell damage.
It boosts heart health
Flavonoids, an antioxidant in black tea boosts heart health. Consuming them on a regular basis may help reduce many risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated triglyceride levels and obesity.
It lowers bad cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a bad lipoprotein because they transport cholesterol to cells throughout the body. Too much LDL in the body can build up in the arteries and lead to problems like heart failure or stroke. Fortunately, some studies have found that consuming black tea may reduce bad cholesterol.
It improves gut health
The polyphenols found in this type of tea can help you maintain a healthy gut by promoting the growth of good bacteria and inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria. Black tea also contains antimicrobial properties that kill off harmful substances and improve gut bacteria and immunity by helping repair the lining of the digestive tract.
It reduces blood pressure
High blood pressure can increase your risk of heart and kidney failure, stroke, vision loss and heart attacks. Drinking this tea on a daily basis, as well as incorporating other lifestyle modifications can benefit people with high blood pressure.
It reduces the risk of stroke
Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and it can occur when a blood vessel in the brain is either blocked or ruptures. Studies have found that drinking black tea may also help reduce the risk of stroke. Drinking more than three cups of either green or black tea per day reduces your risk of stroke.
It lowers blood sugar levels
Elevated blood sugar levels may increase your risk type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and kidney failure. Consuming large amounts of sugar especially from sweetened beverages increases your blood sugar and black tea is a great non-sweetened beverage that helps enhance the use of insulin in the body.
It decreases tooth loss
Japanese researchers have found that tea can decrease tooth loss. It changes the pH in your mouth when you drink it and that may be what prevents cavities. Beyond that, tea, unlike many other beverages does not appear to erode tooth enamel.
It reduces the risk of cancer
Polyphenols found in this type of tea may help prevent cancer cell survival. Although black tea should not be considered an alternative treatment for cancer, some research has demonstrated black tea’s potential to help reduce cancer cell survival.
It improves focus
Black tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which can improve alertness and focus. L-theanine increases alpha activity in the brain, resulting in relaxation and better focus. Studies have shown that beverages containing L-theanine have the greatest impact on focus due to the effects of L-theanine on the brain.
How to make black tea
Black tea is not only good for your health, it is also simple to make. First boil water. Add a tea bag to a mug and fill it with the hot water.
Let the tea steep in the water for 3–5 minutes, depending on your taste preference. For a stronger tea, use more tea bags and steep for a longer period of time. After steeping, remove the tea bag from the water and enjoy.
Hmm, I still won’t drink though