Before I switched to Team Coffee, I was a tea junkie. From chai to jasmine to plain ol' green, I loved it all. What really got me into tea was all of the health benefits, specifically the benefits of black tea. Black tea was always the easiest for me to get my hands on, so I was obviously amped once I realized how great it was for me.
Tea is great for when you want a subtle caffeine boost or if you want to wind down after a long day. I'm actually convinced that if Mr. Right was a drink, he'd be tea. So for the uninitiated, or for those who are obsessed with tea but just want to know more, here's a rundown of the health benefits of black tea.
1. Provides Antioxidants
Ask any health professional, and they'll tell you that antioxidants are key for awesome processes like relieving muscle soreness, rejuvenating the skin, and fighting diseases. If you knew there was a drink out there that could consistently help you get your daily dose of these compounds, wouldn't you want to try it?
Enter black tea! The antioxidants found in this drink can make sure that your health is consistently in tip-top shape. Studies even suggest that a few antioxidants exist in higher quantities in black tea than in green tea. Maybe now you can skip the Flintstone vitamins?
2. Freshens Breath
We've all had days where we lounge around in bed for so long that hours go by before we end up brushing our teeth. Turns out black tea can help! Remember those antioxidants that are hanging out in your mug of tea? These same antioxidants can kill oral bacteria.
When there's less bacteria chilling on your teeth and tongue, your breath gets much better. Some scientists also believe that these antioxidants can prevent cavities. That said, I'd still recommend getting to the dentist every six months for a cleaning. No matter how great the benefits of black tea, the stuff can still stain your teeth.
3. Clears Your Skin
Who hasn't had days where their skin is a little blah? Instead of reaching for the concealer, maybe you should try giving black tea a shot. Again, it's these antioxidants that come to your rescue and will help you achieve picture perfect skin.
The antioxidants in your tea not only fight free radicals, but rejuvenate skin cells. If you're ever having a day where your eye bags are unusually puffy or you've got a zit that won't quit, try treating the problem with a black tea bag. This list of home remedies for skin care uses chamomile tea, but you can def substitute black tea for better results.
4. Relieves Stress
Being a college student brings about pretty much constant stress, and sometimes a hot drink at the end of a long day can be just what the doctor ordered. Studies have shown that plain ol' black tea can greatly help reduce stress, both short and long term.
Black tea has been shown to reduce the stress hormone cortisol. The less cortisol running rampant through your veins, the smaller your risk of long-term issues like heart problems. Even if warding away heart disease is the furthest thing from your mind, tea will at least help you through midterms.
5. Gives You a Wake Up Call
When I'm dragging my feet in the morning, my first instinct is to grab a cup of coffee, but maybe I should think about switching back to tea. Caffeine is a great thing, but isn't so great if you consume it in excess. Black tea has less caffeine than coffee, which gives you a more subtle boost in the morning.
A regular cup of brewed coffee can have anywhere from 95 to 165 milligrams of caffeine. By contrast, a brewed cup of black tea usually has between 25 and 48 milligrams of caffeine. While coffee may be your go-to for an all-night study session, black tea can definitely be a great substitute for less intense situations.
It's pretty sad that black tea doesn't get all the hype it deserves today. While I'm definitely one of the coffee obsessed coeds that keeps black tea in the shadows, the benefits of black tea are pretty hard to ignore. If you're looking to make a subtle change, break out the kettle. You'll thank yourself in the long run.