Black tea, derived from the tender leaves or buds of Camellia sinensis plants. It is not naturally occurring but was developed in the late Ming to early Qing dynasties based on green tea production methods. It is made from new shoots or leaves of suitable tea plants, which undergo a series of processes including withering, rolling (cutting), fermentation, and drying. The fermentation causes chemical reactions in the tea's components. When brewed with water, it not only emits a pleasant aroma but also produces a distinctive dark red color, hence its name “black tea.”
What Are the Benefits of Black Tea?
1. **Boosts Vigor and Clarity:** Black tea can help boost vigor and clarity. It contains Caffeine, a xanthine alkaloid compound that can stimulate the central nervous system, temporarily dispelling drowsiness and restoring energy. Therefore, when feeling sleepy, brewing a cup of black tea can be helpful in boosting vigor and clarity.
2. **Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial:** Black tea has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It contains polyphenols and catechins, which have the ability to inhibit and eliminate pathogenic bacteria. Drinking black tea regularly can help with anti-inflammatory effects and improve immunity.
3. **Warms and Nourishes the Spleen and Stomach:** Black tea can warm and nourish the spleen and stomach. After undergoing fermentation, black tea becomes a warming ingredient, capable of alleviating symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and poor appetite caused by cold spleen and stomach. Therefore, those with poor spleen and stomach function can Drink some black tea to warm and nourish their organs.
4. **Delays Aging:** Black tea can delay aging. It contains polyphenol compounds that can eliminate excess free radicals in the body, playing a role in delaying aging.
Who Should Not Drink Black Tea?
1. **Stone Patients and Cancer Patients:** Stone patients are generally advised against drinking black tea.
2. **Those with Anemia, or Those with Mental Fatigue and Insomnia:** The vigor-boosting effect of black tea may exacerbate their insomnia symptoms.
3. **Those who are easily agitated or sensitive, have poor Sleep quality, or are physically weak:** This is due to the excellent vigor-boosting effect of black tea.
4. **Those with Gastric Heat:** Since black tea is a warming tea, it serves to warm the stomach.
5. **Those with a thick tongue coating, halitosis, prone to acne, or red eyes:** Black tea is considered “hot,” so those concerned about heatiness should avoid drinking black tea.
6. **Those Taking Medication:** Black tea can interfere with medication efficacy.
7. **Menstruating Women:** Because menstruation significantly depletes iron in the body, and tannins in black tea can hinder the absorption of iron from food.
8. **Pregnant Women:** Because caffeine in black tea can increase the burden on the heart and kidneys of pregnant women, causing discomfort.
9. **Nursing Mothers:** Because tannins in black tea can affect blood circulation in the mammary glands, inhibiting milk secretion and affecting the quality of nursing.
10. **Women in Menopause:** Because the tea polyphenols in black tea may cause palpitations and poor sleep quality during menopause.
Black tea contains various nutrients and active ingredients such as vitamins, caffeine, amino acids, minerals, polysaccharides, and tea polyphenols. Studies have shown that black tea has auxiliary effects in lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. However, individuals in certain special health conditions are not recommended to drink black tea.