—Isn't Keemun Black Tea just famous? Is it really necessary for you to drink it every day like this?
—The 'Keemun aroma' is one reason, but more importantly, it's because of the efficacy and effects of Keemun black tea. Although not every benefit may apply to me, the psychological comfort is also nice.
—Well, alright! I'll take a look at its benefits too!
【Benefits of Keemun Black Tea】
1. Diuretic Effect
Under the combined action of caffeine and aromatic substances in Keemun black tea, kidney blood flow increases, glomerular filtration rate improves, renal microvessels dilate, and the reabsorption of water by renal tubules is inhibited, thereby promoting increased urine output. This helps eliminate lactic acid, uric acid (related to gout), excess salt (related to hypertension), harmful substances, etc., from the body, and alleviates edema caused by heart disease or nephritis.
2. Detoxification Effect
Experiments have shown that the tea polyphenols in Keemun black tea can adsorb heavy metals and alkaloids, precipitating and decomposing them. This is a boon for modern people exposed to industrial pollution in drinking water and food.
3. Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Effects
The polyphenolic compounds in Keemun black tea have anti-inflammatory effects. Experiments have found that catechins can bind to single-celled bacteria, causing protein coagulation and precipitation, thereby inhibiting and eliminating pathogens. Thus, drinking black tea is beneficial for patients with bacterial dysentery and food poisoning. Folk remedies often use strong tea to apply to wounds, bedsores, and athlete's foot.
4. Thirst-Quenching and Heat-Clearing Effect
Drinking Keemun black tea in summer can quench thirst and relieve heat because the polyphenols, sugars, amino acids, pectin, etc., in the tea react with saliva, stimulating salivary secretion, which moistens the mouth and creates a cooling sensation. Meanwhile, caffeine regulates the body's temperature center in the hypothalamus, controlling body temperature. It also stimulates the kidneys to promote the excretion of heat and waste, maintaining physiological balance in the body.
5. Refreshing and Fatigue-Relieving Effect
Medical experiments have found that the caffeine in Keemun black tea stimulates the cerebral cortex to excite the nerve centers, promoting alertness and concentration, thereby making thinking reactions sharper and enhancing memory. It also excites the vascular system and heart, strengthening heartbeats, thus accelerating blood circulation to facilitate metabolism. Simultaneously, it promotes sweating and diuresis, accelerating the excretion of lactic acid (the substance that causes muscle fatigue) and other waste materials in the body, achieving the effect of eliminating fatigue.
In addition, Keemun black tea also has effects such as preventing dental caries, aiding digestion and regulating the stomach and intestines, delaying aging, lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids, anti-cancer, and anti-radiation. Black tea is also an excellent sports drink. Besides quenching thirst and replenishing fluids, drinking it before endurance sports (like marathons) can enhance stamina because the caffeine in the tea has a refreshing effect and helps the body burn fat for energy while preserving glycogen during exercise.
【Effects of Keemun Black Tea】
During the processing of Keemun black tea, chemical reactions centered on the oxidation of tea polyphenols occur. The chemical components in the fresh leaves change significantly, with tea polyphenols reduced by over 90%, producing new components such as theaflavins and thearubigins.
In terms of health care: Keemun black tea can aid gastrointestinal digestion, promote appetite, act as a diuretic, reduce edema, and strengthen heart function.
In terms of disease prevention: Keemun black tea has strong antibacterial properties. Gargling with black tea can prevent colds caused by filterable viruses, prevent tooth decay and food poisoning, and lower blood sugar and blood pressure.
【Precautions for Drinking Keemun Black Tea】
New tea is not necessarily better the fresher it is. Improper drinking can easily harm the stomach and intestines. Since new tea is freshly picked and stored for a short time, it contains relatively high levels of unoxidized polyphenols, aldehydes, alcohols, and other substances. These substances do not significantly affect healthy individuals, but for those with poor gastrointestinal function, especially those with chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, they can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. People with originally weak gastrointestinal function are more prone to stomach issues. Therefore, new tea should not be consumed excessively, and tea stored for less than half a month should not be drunk at all.
Additionally, new tea contains relatively high amounts of caffeine, active alkaloids, and various aromatic substances, which can also excite the central nervous system. Patients with neurasthenia or cardiovascular diseases should consume it in moderation and avoid drinking it before bedtime or on an empty stomach. The correct method is to allow it to sit for at least half a month before consumption.
Do not take medicine with tea; avoid drinking tea within one hour before or after taking medication. Ginseng and American ginseng should not be consumed with tea. Avoid drinking strong tea to counteract alcohol; it is not advisable to drink tea before meals; avoid drinking tea immediately after meals; young girls should avoid strong tea.
Editor: Xiaogiao from Tea Bubble Network