Whether it's the Western charm of Sri Lankan, Darjeeling, or Assam black tea, or China's Keemun red tea, all are inseparable from its unique effects. Drinking more black tea keeps germs farther away and brings health closer. What are the benefits of black tea for the human body? Below, Xiong Er has compiled relevant examples with authority.
Black Tea Keeps Us from Catching Colds in Winter
Professor Shimamura from the Showa University School of Medicine stated that gargling with black tea can prevent influenza. Professor Shimamura conducted an experiment dividing 300 students into two groups: one group gargled with tea twice daily, while the other did not. After five months, the tea-gargling group was largely unaffected by cold viruses. This is because tea contains catechins, which are very high in black tea. They help inhibit the activity of oxygen free radicals in the body, helping resist external viruses and also suppressing tumor growth.
Research proves that black tea at a concentration of 5% can completely kill cold germs, while the concentration of black tea we usually drink is between 2% and 5%. Professor Shimamura described the specific gargling method: gargle once after waking up and once after returning home each day, holding the black tea in the mouth for 15-20 seconds before spitting it out, repeating two to three times. Professor Shimamura noted that besides black tea, green tea also has this effect. The higher the quality of the tea leaves, the better the cold prevention effect, while low-quality tea leaves hardly provide this benefit.
Black Tea Keeps Everyone Youthful Forever
Over the past five years, the U.S. government has funded over 150 studies on green and black tea and their chemical components. Results show that antioxidants in green and black tea can completely disrupt the pathways of chemical substances in cancer cells. Dr. Murray Mittleman, director of cardiovascular epidemiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, said: "The effects of black tea and green tea are roughly similar, but the antioxidants in black tea are much more complex, especially beneficial for the heart." American magazine reports indicate that black tea's anti-aging effects are stronger than those of garlic, broccoli, and carrots.
Black Tea Prevents Osteoporosis for Everyone
On May 13, 2002, the American Physicians Association published a study of 497 men and 540 women over more than 10 years, indicating that black tea drinkers have stronger bones. Polyphenols in black tea (also found in green tea) inhibit substances that destroy bone cells. To prevent 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 strengthens bones even more effectively. Various fruits can also be added to black tea for a synergistic effect.
Black Tea Keeps Our Blood Circulation Smooth
A recent U.S. medical study also relates to black tea. It found that heart disease patients who drink four cups of black tea daily can increase blood vessel dilation from 6% to 10%. In healthy individuals, dilation increases by 13% after stimulation.
Black tea contains multiple nutrients, such as various water-soluble vitamins, rich trace elements like potassium and manganese, and a type of flavonoid compound. After brewing, 70% of the potassium in black tea dissolves into the tea water. Potassium enhances heart blood circulation.
Black Tea Makes Us More Energetic
Medical experiments have found that the caffeine in black tea stimulates the cerebral cortex to excite the nerve centers, promoting alertness, concentration, and making thinking reactions sharper and memory stronger. It also excites the vascular system and heart, strengthening heartbeats, thereby accelerating blood circulation for metabolism, while simultaneously promoting sweating and diuresis. This dual approach speeds up the excretion of lactic acid (the substance that causes muscle fatigue) and other waste materials in the body, achieving fatigue relief.
Black Tea Greatly Reduces the Incidence of Cancer in the Body
The idea that tea has anti-cancer effects is widespread, and researchers worldwide have explored this extensively. However, it was generally believed that tea's anti-cancer effects were mainly associated with green tea. Now there are new developments. Research has found that black tea, like green tea, also has strong anti-cancer properties.
Black Tea Makes Our Liver Much Lighter
Experimental evidence shows that the tea polyphenols in black tea can adsorb heavy metals and alkaloids, precipitating and decomposing them. This is good news for modern people exposed to industrial pollution in drinking water and food.