Black tea production in China is very extensive, with almost every tea-producing province having some output. The main types include Anhui's Keemun Black Tea, Yunnan's Dianhong, and Fujian's Lapsang Souchong. The reason black tea has swept the world is not only because of its mild nature and great compatibility, suitable for all ages and genders, but more importantly, because of its health functions such as warming and protecting the stomach, refreshing the mind and enhancing thinking, and preventing colds. Drinking black tea helps to concentrate and calm the mind, boosting spirits and making the drinker feel clear-headed and relaxed.
But besides these benefits, do you know about black tea's other effects? Today, let's discuss together the lesser-known functions of black tea!
1. Preventing Myocardial Infarction
Research shows that the incidence of coronary heart disease is significantly lower among people who drink more than 3 cups of black tea daily compared to those who do not drink tea. One hour after drinking black tea, blood flow velocity in the heart's blood vessels improves, which can prevent myocardial infarction.
This is because black tea is rich in tea pigments (such as theaflavins, thearubigins, etc.), which have strong anti-lipid oxidation effects, inhibiting vascular lipid peroxidation and platelet aggregation, thereby preventing coronary heart disease or stroke. A new study shows that drinking black tea not only reduces the level of harmful cholesterol in the body but also lowers the content of unfavorable low-density lipoprotein, thus helping to prevent heart disease. Therefore, black tea is superior to green tea in preventing cardiovascular accidents.
2. Preventing Alzheimer's Disease
According to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, scientists from the National University of Singapore surveyed about 63,000 Singapore residents aged 45-74 and found that those who drank at least 23 cups of black tea per month had a 71% lower chance of developing Parkinson's disease. The antioxidants in black tea play a significant protective role in reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease. Experiments have shown that the amount of antioxidants released from 2 cups of black tea is equivalent to that in 4 apples, 7 glasses of orange juice, 5 onions, or 12 glasses of white wine.
A spokesperson for the Parkinson's Disease Society in the UK stated that these research results are very promising, and effective components could be extracted from black tea in the future to develop drugs for preventing Parkinson's disease.
3. Preventing Skin Diseases
Drinking black tea can effectively reduce people's chances of developing skin cancer. Researchers conducted laboratory experiments on mice and proved that when exposed to excessive ultraviolet rays, mice that drank black tea had 54% less skin damage or cancer compared to those that only drank water. In a comparative experiment between black tea and green tea, it was found that mice drinking black tea had a much lower incidence of skin cancer than those drinking green tea. This is the first confirmation that black tea has stronger anti-cancer effects than green tea in preventing skin cancer.
4. Preventing and Alleviating Allergies
Drinking black tea can prevent allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma caused by pollen and alleviate symptoms triggered by allergies.
A study by the University of Colorado on mice had similar findings: theaflavin, unique to black tea, can reduce related allergic reaction conditions in people with sensitive skin. When a person develops an allergy, antigens invade the body, causing lymphocyte reactions and releasing antibodies. When antigens invade again, complex antigen-antibody reactions occur within cells, leading to allergic symptoms. Black tea can inhibit the production of allergy-causing antibodies, preventing allergies.
5. Strengthening Bones
On May 13, 2002, the American Medical Association published a survey of 497 men and 540 women over 10 years, indicating that people who drink black tea have stronger bones. The polyphenols in black tea (including their oxidation products) can inhibit substances that destroy bone cells. To prevent and treat common osteoporosis in women, it is recommended to drink a small cup of black tea daily, with noticeable effects after several years. Adding lemon to black tea can strengthen bones even more effectively. Various fruits can also be added to black tea for a synergistic effect.
Table of Polyphenol Content (Including Oxidation Products) in Various Substances
A cup of fragrant and mellow black tea can leave a lingering fragrance in the mouth and promote salivation. It not only provides aesthetic enjoyment but also has miraculous health benefits. If such a perfect cup of black tea can make you smile and relax your heart a little, then what are you waiting for?