Drinking Black Tea Reduces Risk Of Cancer, Here Are 5 More Benefits

Black tea has received its name from the colour of the tea. Black tea is a tea that is served without milk and is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis tea plant.

After harvesting, the leaves of Camellia sinensis undergo a process of wilting, bruising, rolling, and oxidation. Oxidation turns the leaves from green to a dark brownish-black colour. Black tea is rich in antioxidants – polyphenols and catechins. Black tea contains alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates, potassium, fluoride, manganese, etc. Unsweetened black tea has few or no calories and has traces of carbohydrates, proteins and sodium.

Black tea includes all the essential minerals and nutrients. One cup of black tea contains 2.4 calories, 0.1 gm proteins, 0.4 gm carbohydrates, 0.1 gm fiber, and approximately 200 milligrams of flavonoids. It does not contain any fat.

# Reduces the risk of Cancer

1. Antioxidants like polyphenol and catechins present in black tea prevent cancer cell survival. They regulate cancer cell growth and decrease new cell development.

2. Black tea helps lower the chances of breast, skin, colorectal, stomach, bladder, prostrate, ovarian, and lung cancers.

# Improves focus

1. The caffeine and L-theanine content in black tea improve focus and alertness.

2. L-theanine content accelerates the alpha activity in the brain causing relaxation and improved focus.

# Promotes oral health

1. Polyphenols in black tea possess an anti-microbial activity and an inhibitory action on the salivary and bacterial enzymes thus decreasing inflammation, restricting cavity formation, and arresting the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

2. The antibacterial and antioxidant properties of black tea restrict staphylococcus infections.

3. Dental caries is prevented by the fluoride content of black tea.

4. It decreases dental plaque formation, tooth decay and may decrease the risk of oral cancers.

# Boosts heart health

1. The flavones present in black tea helps in boosting heart health.

2. The flavonoids content improves coronary vasodilation and reduces clots and its manganese content lowers the chance of coronary heart disease.

3. Black tea reverses the abnormal functioning of blood vessels.

4. It also lowers cholesterol levels. Black tea decreases the risk of coronary heart disease, ischemia, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular mortality.

# Promotes digestive benefits

1. The tannin content of black tea provides digestive benefits.

2. Black tea soothes the gastric and intestinal disorders thereby, aiding in digestion and reducing the intestinal activity (making them useful for those with diarrhoea).