Black Magic of Black Tea’s Health Benefits

                                 

Heart Health

     A study published in February 2009 journal of hypertension suggests that black tea consumption can conduce to a healthier heart. The research conducted on 19 healthy men revealed that drinking black tea over long periods helps increase blood vessel re-activity  while reducing arterial stiffness and blood pressure. This in turn enhances a healthy heart condition.

Soothes Stress

      According to a new study conducted by University College London (UCL) researchers, it is stated that having a cup of black tea daily can help counter the everyday stress of life. In this research, people who drank black tea four times a day for six weeks were found to have lower levels of cortisol (stress hormone) in their bloodstream after a trying event. Thus, black tea is seen to have effect on the stress hormones in the body. However, researchers are yet to find out which are the ingredients in tea that cause the relaxing and de-stressing effect in black tea drinkers.

Black Tea and Antioxidants

     Black tea contains ten times more antioxidants than found in fruits and vegetables. Black tea is rich in polyphenols, an important antioxidant which destroys the harmful free radicals formed as a result of metabolism. These free radicals are cell damagers, which can lead to blood clots, cancer and atherosclerosis. Thus, antioxidants from tea help protect our cells from damage.

Gastrointestinal Benefits

     Black tea is also known to relieve diarrhea and maintain the health of the digestive tract because of the tannins it contains. The tannins in black tea decrease intestinal activity and release an antidiarrheal effect on the digestive tract, which helps alleviate the pain associated with diarrhea. Steeping black tea for a complete 15 minutes and then drinking it unsweetened is a popular diarrhea remedy.

Weight Loss Benefits

    Is there any link between black tea benefits and weight loss? Well apparently there is a connection. Tea accelerates the weight loss process by boosting the body’s metabolism rate. Moreover, it also blocks the fattening effects of carbohydrates.

Pregnancy

    Tea contains a small amount of caffeine which is not good for the developing fetus as its underdeveloped metabolism cannot handle caffeine. However, most doctors say that having a cup of black tea everyday in moderation is not harmful. To be safe it’s better to consume only limited amounts of tea during pregnancy. Moreover, don’t forget to consult your gynecologist regarding this issue.

Hair Care

     Rinsing your hair with black tea helps darken the hair and add shine to it. To add shine to the hair, people generally brew two cups of black tea and rinse dampened shampoo hair. The tea rinse also helps increase bulk of hair, slows down hair fall and enhances hair growth.

Skin Care

     Black tea is a wonderful astringent. To tap this benefit all one has to do is prepare some black tea and splash the warm tea onto your face. It’s effect is fantastic! Moreover, tea is also beneficial if you are struggling with face or body acne. Black tea can be used on skin portions where you know a pimple is about to erupt. Just steep a black tea teabag in hot water and when it has cooled down, place it over the blemish for 10 minutes. Then, remove the teabag and do not rinse the tea off the blemish. The tea will work and heal the blemish.