China also has a wide variety of black tea producing regions, with major black teas including Anhui Keemun black tea, Yunnan Dianhong, and Fujian Lapsang Souchong. The reason black tea has become popular worldwide, in addition to its mild and neutral nature suitable for all ages, is more importantly its unique health functions.
1. Stomach Nourishing and Protective
Black tea is particularly effective in warming and nourishing the stomach. Drinking green tea on an empty stomach can cause stomach discomfort because tea polyphenols, an important substance in tea, have astringent properties and can irritate the stomach, especially on an empty stomach. However, black tea, due to fermentation, has more polyphenols transformed, so it causes less irritation to the human gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, the oxidation products of tea polyphenols—theaflavins and thearubigins—can promote digestion, so black tea not only does not harm the stomach but can actually nourish it. In traditional Chinese medicine, black tea is considered warm in nature, making it more suitable for people with cold stomachs.
In addition, the rich protein, sugars, and other nutrients in black tea can enhance the body's ability to withstand cold, store yang energy, and generate warmth, warming the stomach.
It is worth mentioning that the retention rate of tea polyphenols in broken black tea is 55%-65%, while in Congou black tea it is mostly below 50%. Congou black tea tends to have a smoother taste and better stomach-warming effect.
2. Prevention of Parkinson's Disease
According to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, scientists from the National University of Singapore surveyed about 63,000 Singaporean residents aged 45-74 and found that those who drank at least 23 cups of black tea per month had a 71% lower risk 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 antioxidant content released by two cups of black tea is equivalent to that of four apples, seven cups of orange juice, five onions, or twelve glasses of white wine. A spokesperson for the Parkinson's Society of the UK stated that these research results are promising and may lead to the extraction of effective components from black tea for the prevention of Parkinson's disease.
3. Anti-Influenza and Antibacterial Effects
Drinking black tea can help prevent colds when temperatures drop. Japanese researchers have demonstrated experimentally that black tea diluted to less than five times its usual drinking concentration can still render 99.999% of influenza viruses inactive. This is because theaflavins in black tea can kill foodborne bacteria and neutralize the infectivity of influenza viruses. Therefore, gargling with black tea daily can help prevent colds and flu.
Additionally, tea polyphenols and their oxides, aromatic compounds, and saponins in black tea have inhibitory and bactericidal effects against bacteria, molds, fungi, pathogens, and provide anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
4. Prevention of Heart Disease
Studies have shown that the incidence of coronary heart disease is significantly lower among people who drink more than three cups of black tea daily compared to those who do not drink tea. One hour after drinking black tea, blood flow in the heart's blood vessels improves, which can help prevent myocardial infarction. This is because black tea is rich in tea pigments (theaflavins, thearubigins, etc.), which have strong anti-lipid oxidation effects, inhibit vascular lipid peroxidation and platelet aggregation, thereby preventing coronary heart disease or stroke, reducing harmful low-density lipoprotein levels, and preventing heart disease. Therefore, black tea is more effective than green tea in preventing cardiovascular incidents.
5. Lowering Blood Pressure and Preventing Thrombosis
July 12, 2001: A report published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association offered a possible explanation for why tea drinkers are less likely to develop coronary artery disease: Drinking black tea can improve the function of endothelial cells in the heart and other blood vessels, which has been shown to help regulate blood flow, and its abnormality is a major cause of atherosclerosis. Tea pigments can also improve microcirculation, ensure normal oxygen supply to blood tissues, inhibit platelet adhesion and aggregation, and provide anticoagulant, antithrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, and cardiovascular protective effects, preventing thrombosis.
At the same time, tea pigments and tea polysaccharides in black tea can relax blood vessels, enhance vascular elasticity, and dilate blood vessels, thereby slowing heart rate and adjusting blood pressure to normal levels.
6. Prevention of Skin Diseases
Black tea has outstanding effects in preventing skin cancer. Australian scientists believe that drinking black tea can effectively reduce the chance of developing skin cancer. Researchers conducted experiments on mice and found that when exposed to excessive ultraviolet radiation, mice that drank black tea had a 54% lower incidence of skin damage or cancer compared to those that drank only water. In comparative experiments 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 was the first confirmation that black tea has a stronger anti-cancer effect than green tea in preventing skin cancer.
7. Prevention of Allergies
Drinking black tea can prevent allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma caused by pollen and alleviate symptoms caused by allergies.
Japan has reported that in passive skin anaphylaxis reactions, black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and catechin extracts all showed anti-allergic effects, and the anti-allergic duration of black tea (12 hours) was far longer than that of other teas (6 hours). It is speculated that theaflavins and thearubigins in black tea may play an important role in combating allergies.
A similar study on mice at the University of Colorado in the United States also found that theaflavins unique to black tea can reduce allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. When a person suffers from allergies, antigens invade the body, causing lymphocytes to react and release antibodies. When the antigen invades again, a complex antigen-antibody reaction occurs within the cells, leading to allergic symptoms. Black tea can inhibit the production of anti-allergic antibodies and prevent allergic reactions.
8. Reducing Harmful Cholesterol
A new study shows that drinking black tea can not only reduce the level of harmful cholesterol in the body but may also reduce the risk of heart disease.
Scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture found that consumers who drank black tea continuously for three weeks saw a 7%-11% reduction in low-density lipoprotein, or so-called harmful cholesterol. Although the specific reason for the reduction in low-density lipoprotein levels in these tea drinkers is still unknown, relevant tests are ongoing.
9. Prevention of Osteoporosis
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 (including their oxidation products) in black tea can inhibit the activity of substances that destroy bone cells.
Comparison of Polyphenol Content in Different Foods
To prevent common osteoporosis in women, it is recommended to drink a small cup of black tea daily, with noticeable effects persisting over several years. Adding lemon to black tea can strengthen bones even more. Adding various fruits to black tea can also have a synergistic effect.
A cup of fragrant and mellow black tea leaves a lingering taste in the mouth and stimulates saliva production. It not only brings aesthetic enjoyment but also has magical health benefits. So, if a perfect cup of black tea can make you smile and relax a little, what are we waiting for?