Do you begin your day with a steaming cup of black tea? If so, you’re inadvertently benefiting your skin and hair. Perhaps unbeknownst to you, that cherished cup of black tea goes beyond providing morning refreshment. It is a noteworthy source of natural beauty enhancers known as ‘antioxidants,’ imparting nourishment and radiance to your skin and overall health. This article explores black tea’s top beauty advantages, health benefits, and potential side effects.
What is Black Tea?
Originating in China over 4000 years ago and later grown in Darjeeling and Assam in India, the British and Dutch traders named this refreshing and aromatic tea after its reddish-orange or dark amber-colored liquor. The preparation process of black tea includes four steps – wilting, bruising, rolling, and oxidation (1). The harvested leaves are withered thoroughly to allow them to release the maximum amount of moisture. Then, they are exposed to high temperatures and rolled with the help of machines or by hand for complete oxidation. During this step, the chemicals in the leaves are broken down by the enzymes, producing the signature color and smell. Finally, the oxidized leaves are arranged according to size to make the best black tea. Being rich in antioxidants and other phytonutrients, black tea helps heal the body by flushing toxins out of it (2). Its caffeine content is less than coffee but more than other teas (3).
Tea is a highly popular and the second most consumed beverage in the world. It can be of different types based on the methods of harvesting and processing but all of them are derived from different species of the plant Camellia sinensis. However, black tea is often mixed with other plants for added flavors.
Different Types of Black Tea
All types of black tea produced in China are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. In contrast, the kinds of black tea produced in India are prepared from different varieties of Camellia assamica. The second variety of the tea plant always comes with larger leaves for a more robust flavor. However, all other types of tea available in the market (green, yellow, white, and oolong) can also be made into black tea. It is all about deeper processing of the leaves that involves thorough oxidation and complete browning.
If you want to make the most of your black tea, avoid boiling the leaves during its preparation and skip milk and sugar during serving.
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Nutrients in Black Tea
Complete oxidation forms two compounds in black tea called theaflavins and thearubigins. They contribute to its distinctive taste and color, giving it immense nutritional and health benefits. It has been found that black tea has an abundance of antioxidants (known as polyphenols), mainly theaflavin-3 3′-digallate or TFDG, and tannins. Besides, it contains minimal minerals (sodium, potassium, and fluoride) and essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids). However, black tea does not offer carbohydrates, sugar, dietary fibers, proteins, vitamins, or cholesterol. It also has a meager calorie count. (4), (5)
10 Amazing Beauty Benefits of Black Tea
Being loaded with diverse skin and hair-friendly nutrients, black tea can make you look more gorgeous and striking without any endeavor. The polyphenols and tannins may help you achieve healthy skin and hair. Given below are the prominent beauty benefits of black tea for you to enjoy:
1. Moisturizes the Skin
If you suffer from dry skin, black tea can add intense moisture and give it a nice glow. You can also turn your dehydrated skin soft, smooth, and supple with black tea by removing all impurities.
How to Use:
Dip some black tea in warm water and regularly wash your face with the infusion.
2. Reduces Puffy Eyes
A simple black tea bag can be your savior when the swollen under-eye area reflects your stress and sleeplessness. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties (6), instantly reducing puffy eyes, contracting blood vessels, and tightening the skin. It also reduces black patches and prevents premature wrinkles around the eyes.
How to Use:
Place a couple of black tea bags in the refrigerator for some time, and then place those chilled tea bags on the swollen area under your eyes to get quick relief. You can dip cotton balls in cold black tea and place them under your eyes for 20 minutes.
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3. Heals Skin Infections
The catechins and flavonoids in black tea hold excellent antibacterial properties that prevent microbial colonization in the skin and keep infections at bay. When combined with anti-infection medications, it may speed up the processes of soothing and healing significantly (7).
How to Use:
Press a chilled black tea bag on the troubled area whenever you experience rashes, itchiness, or redness in the skin. It will provide quick relief and reduce the chances of developing infections simultaneously.
4. Treats Acne and Blemishes
As black tea flushes toxins out of the body with its antioxidant content, you may get blemish-free, clear skin safely and naturally. Use the tea to eliminate spots, marks, scars, acne, pimples, uneven skin tone, etc. It may also help heal insect bites and whiten the pigmented areas of the skin (8).
How to Use:
Soak a clean cotton ball in cold black tea and thoroughly dab it all over your face. Let it dry completely, then wash it off with plain water.
5. Delays Premature Aging
Black tea is known to have more effective anti-aging properties (9). As it comes packed with antioxidants, you may expect a reduction in the expression of the gene, creating a collagen-degrading enzyme, thereby preventing wrinkle formation and slowing down aging.
How to Use:
Both consumption and topical application of black tea help delay the appearance of the signs of aging. Apply it directly to your skin with the help of a cotton ball, or add it to your regular face packs and masks to enjoy the benefits.
6. Provides Sun Protection
If your skin is exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays for a more extended period, black tea may give you adequate protection. It has been found to reduce the risks of several skin issues associated with excessive UV exposure, which mainly include skin pigmentation, skin cancer, etc. (10), (11)
How to Use:
Infuse freshly brewed black tea in your regular skincare routine for daily sun protection. You may also apply it directly to your skin with the help of a cotton ball and rinse it off once it dries completely.
7. Stops Excessive Hair Fall
Black tea may be a practical solution if you suffer from frequent hair fall. It helps combat free radicals and stress with its potent antioxidant content, two leading factors responsible for hair loss (12). By averting hair damage and split ends, black tea may also help treat hair fall.
How to Use:
Instead of throwing away the used black tea bags, soak them in water for an hour. Now, use this infusion to rinse your hair thoroughly every day.
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8. Promotes Hair Growth
Studies have revealed that black has the potential to stimulate hair growth to a large extent (13).
How to Use:
Add some freshly brewed black tea all over your scalp and the length of your hair. Ensure you use it consistently for several months to see noticeable results.
9. Adds Shine and Luster
Regular use of black tea may naturally add a beautiful shine and vibrance to the hair.
How to Use:
Prepare black tea liquor and cool it down to room temperature. Now, cleanse your hair with a mild shampoo and give it a final rinse with the black tea liquor.
10. Averts Untimely Greying
The color of black tea makes it a brilliant natural hair-dying agent. The best thing about this dye is that you can see the results instantly.
How to Use:
Add (1/2) cup of freshly brewed black tea to your henna powder and apply it all over your scalp. Let it sit for a few hours, then wash it off with a mild shampoo.
Health Benefits of Black Tea
As mentioned previously, black tea contains less caffeine than that present in a cup of coffee. This makes it highly beneficial for our overall health and a favored choice among health-conscious people. Here are the health benefits a cup of black tea can offer to you:
- Consuming three or more cups of black tea daily may keep the heart healthy by reducing the risks of several issues, including coronary heart diseases, myocardial infarction, ischemia, and cardiovascular mortality. (14)
- Black tea has compounds called catechins and theaflavins, which may help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by making the body more insulin-sensitive and preventing beta-cell dysfunction. (15)
- Regular consumption of black tea may help prevent hypertension by regulating systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. (16)
- With its anti-hypercholesterolemic effects, black tea may also help lower the bloodstream’s low-density lipoprotein or LDL ( bad cholesterol) level. (17)
- While flushing toxic materials out of the body, black tea helps restore normal cell functions by boosting the body’s natural immunity. (18)
- You may improve your digestive health by increasing the count and variety of good gut microbes with the prebiotic properties of black tea. (19)
- When it comes to losing weight, black tea may help a lot. It primarily promotes weight loss by reducing the inflammation-inducing genes in the body.
- The tea contains theaflavins, which have been found to inhibit the proliferation of ovarian cancer. (20)
- Black tea may also enhance mental alertness by modulating brain functions and the human attention process with its caffeine and l-theanine. (21)
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Side Effects of Black Tea
Black tea is a natural herbal tea considered safe for oral and topical applications. But using black tea in moderation is essential as too much of anything is not suitable for us. If you consume black tea in excess or too often, you may end up experiencing side effects like diarrhea, constipation, anxiety, frequent urination, glaucoma, and even seizures.
Summary:
Black tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the entire world. It is a reddish-orange or dark amber-colored liquor with strong flavor and invigorating aroma. Its caffeine content is less than coffee but more than other types of teas. Black tea is prepared through wilting, bruising, rolling, and oxidation. The process of oxidation and complete browning of leaves contributes to the signature characteristics of the tea. Being rich in antioxidants and other phytonutrients, black tea possesses immense nutritional and health benefits. It can also make you look more gorgeous and striking by moisturizing the skin, reducing puffy eyes, healing skin infections, treating acne and blemishes, delaying premature aging, providing sun protection, stopping excessive hair fall, promoting hair growth, adding shine and luster to hair, and averting untimely greying of hair. However, you should not consume too much black tea as it may cause certain mild to moderate side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Black Tea with Milk Good for You?
Black tea is rich in health-friendly ingredients like antioxidants, phytonutrients, etc. When combined with milk, the activity of these compounds may be inhibited, thus restricting the benefits tou. can enjoy
Can We Drink Black Tea on Empty Stomach?
Yes, you can undoubtedly have black tea on an empty stomach. However, it may lead to acidity in some people. Hence, it is recommended to have after snacks or meals only.
Can We Drink Black Tea at Night?
Yes, you can drink black tea at night. Drinking black tea at night is known to have soothing effects on our minds and body.
How Many Times Should I Drink Black Tea a Day?
You should never drink black tea more than twice or thrice a day.
Does Black Tea Cause Gas?
The tannins in black tea may cause issues like acid reflux and abdominal gas. Sometimes, this gas may even lead to bloating.
References:
- “Tea and Health: Studies in Humans,” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Antioxidative Properties of Black Tea,” PubmMed.NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Caffeine Content of Common Beverages,” PubmMed.NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Flavonoid Composition of Tea: Comparison of Black and Green Teas“, CiteSeerX.ist.psu.edu
- “Tea, Brewed, Prepared with Tap Water [Black Tea],” NutritionData.self.com
- “Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Green Tea and Black Tea: A Comparative in Vitro Study,” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Antimicrobial Activities of Tea Catechins and Theaflavins and Tea Extracts Against Bacillus cereus,” PubmMed.NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Whitening Effect of Black Tea Water Extract on Brown Guinea Pig Skin,” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Anti-Wrinkle Effects of Water Extracts of Teas in Hairless Mouse,” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Potential of Herbs in Skin Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation,” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Photoprotective Effect of Black Tea Extracts Against UVB-Induced Phototoxicity in Skin,” PubmMed.NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Can Beverages Grow Hair on Bald Heads?” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “A Hair Growth-Promoting Effect of Chinese Black Tea Extract in Mice,” PubmMed.NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Black Tea–Helpful or Harmful? A Review of the Evidence“, PubmMed.NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Coffee, Tea, and Incident Type 2 Diabetes: the Singapore Chinese Health Study“, NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “The Effect of Black Tea on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Black Tea Consumption Reduces Total and LDL Cholesterol in Mildly Hypercholesterolemic Adults,” PubmMed.NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Plant Polyphenols as Dietary Antioxidants in Human Health and Disease,” NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Comparative Healing Property of Kombucha Tea and Black Tea against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulceration in Mice: Possible Mechanism of Action,” PubmMed.NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “Inhibitory Effects of the Four Main Theaflavin Derivatives Found in Black Tea on Ovarian Cancer Cells,” PubmMed.NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
- “L-Theanine, a Natural Constituent in Tea, and Its Effect on Mental State,” PubmMed.NCBI.nlm.nih.gov
