Black tea is named for its bright red liquor. In the cold winter, brewing a cup of black tea, its tempting red color seems to bring warmth. Drinking black tea in winter not only provides visual enjoyment but also offers several health benefits. Let's count the advantages of drinking black tea in winter.
1. Gentle in nature, dispels cold and nourishes
First, black tea is rich in protein and carbohydrates, with a sweet and mild nature. In winter, the climate is often cold and damp, and the human body is exposed to such an environment, easily invaded by dampness and cold. The warm and sweet black tea can nourish the body's yang energy, enhance the ability to resist cold, and warm the stomach. Adding honey, ginger, or milk can enhance the warming effect and supplement various nutrients needed by the body.
2. Aids digestion, cuts grease, and protects the stomach
Due to the weather, people in winter tend to wear heavy clothes, reduce physical activity, increase appetite, and consume more greasy food. Over time, food accumulates, fat deposits, and the belly grows. Drinking more black tea can help remove grease, cleanse the intestines, and aid health, helping those who worry about "gaining weight in winter and regretting it in spring."
Moreover, through the rolling and fermentation process, black tea reduces the content of astringent polyphenols that stimulate the stomach, while increasing the less irritating theaflavins and thearubigins. Therefore, black tea is gentle on the stomach. In addition, the oxidation products of tea polyphenols—theaflavins and thearubigins—promote digestion, so black tea not only does not harm the stomach but also nourishes it.
3. Helps prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases
In winter, due to temperature and other factors, the activity of the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems weakens, especially in the elderly, increasing the risk of heart and brain diseases. Black tea contains large amounts of theaflavins, thearubigins, and other polyphenolic compounds, which have strong anti-lipid oxidation effects, inhibit vascular lipid peroxidation and platelet aggregation, thereby preventing coronary heart disease or stroke, and reducing the risk of heart attacks. Therefore, in winter, older adults can drink more black tea to keep warm and prevent diseases.
4. Helps prevent osteoporosis
During seasonal transitions, weather changes drastically, and temperature fluctuations can easily cause joint pain and lead to osteoporosis. The manganese in black tea is an essential element for bone structure, and drinking black tea regularly greatly benefits bone strength. Polyphenols in black tea (including their oxidation products) also inhibit the activity of cells that destroy bone. To prevent osteoporosis, it is recommended to drink a small cup of black tea daily during seasonal changes, and adding lemon can strengthen bones; adding various fruits can also have a synergistic effect.
5. Stimulates the brain and relieves fatigue
In winter, people's thinking ability tends to decline. Black tea contains slightly higher caffeine than green tea. Drinking black tea in winter can stimulate the central nervous system, enhance concentration, sharpen thinking, and improve memory. In addition, black tea has a diuretic effect, helping to eliminate waste from the body and relieve fatigue.
6. Boosts metabolism and prevents colds
Winter temperatures vary greatly, and the indoor-outdoor temperature difference is large, making it a season prone to colds. Black tea's warming effect and ability to promote metabolism help prevent colds. Moreover, theaflavins in black tea can kill harmful bacteria in food and render the influenza virus non-infectious. Therefore, drinking black tea daily and rinsing the mouth with it can help prevent colds and flu.
The cold wind has arrived, the temperature has dropped, and winter 2014 has come—brew yourself a cup of black tea to warm your body and soul. Perhaps you are an "OG" or "OL" sitting in an air-conditioned office, and winter's greeting hasn't yet reached you—then brew a pot of black tea for your closest ones after work or on weekends. The warm color of the tea will bring the warmest greeting and care to those around you.