Strong black tea, benefits and harms. black tea is bad

Aug-24-2016

What is black tea?

Tea has been around for over 2,000 years and is perceived as more than just a delicious, pleasant drink. His healing properties known from ancient times. Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is impossible to imagine without drinking tea. Mate, hibiscus, White tea- traditional oriental drinks - are also firmly included in everyday life. And there is nothing to say about black tea.

Black tea undergoes full fermentation during the production process. This gives the brew its characteristic dark color and resinous aroma. Fresh tea leaves are first dried for 12-16 hours, as a result of which they lose a significant amount of moisture and become soft. After that, they are tightly twisted, as if rolling into a tube. At the same time, the veins break, the leaves crumple, juice and oils are released.

That is why the aroma of the infusion is so bright compared to other types of tea. After twisting, the raw materials are laid out in moist, cool, dark rooms for fermentation.

As a result of oxidation, the color of the tea leaves darkens, and the characteristic aroma of black tea appears. Then the leaves are dried in special ovens in a stream of hot air.

The highest quality black tea is large-leaf. It is grown in 2 regions of India - Darjeeling and Assam. It is he who can be recommended first of all to true lovers. Granular and powdered black teas are also in rather high demand. They are the strongest, tart, but lose a significant part useful substances and vitamins.

What is black tea, the benefits and harms of black tea for human health are of great interest to people who lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor their health, and are interested in folk methods of treatment. Here we will try to answer the questions of interest to this category of people.

Beneficial features:

The healing properties of tea have been studied for many centuries; scientists have been working on revealing its chemical composition for more than 100 years. However, even now, some chemicals in tea remain undiscovered or studied only in the most general form.

Even at the end of the 19th century, scientists believed that tea consisted of only 4-5 basic substances. Currently, there are already dozens of large groups of substances in the drink, each of which includes many simple and complex elements. Their total number is not yet known. To date, scientists have discovered about 300 substances, of which 260 have been identified, that is, their formula has been revealed. Thus, tea is the most complex and rich in chemical composition plant.

Black tea improves immunity, improves the functioning of the nervous system, tones and is a good antioxidant. At regular use black tea, the body is cleared of bad cholesterol. Black tea can reduce headaches and relieve fatigue.

Black tea is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, essential oils and caffeine. Unlike caffeine, which is found in coffee, caffeine in black tea is more beneficial for the body and acts gently and gradually. The caffeine found in black tea improves concentration, improves heart function and digestive system. Tannin, which is also found in black tea, protects the body from negative external influences, as it is a strong antioxidant.

It is said that if you drink about five cups of black tea every day, you can reduce the risk of stroke by up to 70%. Black tea also has a positive effect on blood pressure levels.

Black tea promotes the secretion of gastric juice. If you have high acidity, it is recommended to drink tea before meals, and for those who have it, after.

Black tea has also been proven to be good for teeth and gums. Fluorine and tannin contained in tea strengthen gums and protect teeth from caries.

A cup of black tea with sugar can temporarily satisfy hunger and increase efficiency. And in the hot season, black tea will quench your thirst and add strength.

Contraindications:

Black tea should not be drunk by people who do not tolerate caffeine, as black tea contains a lot of caffeine. Therefore, after drinking a cup of tea, irritability, irascibility and nervousness, in some cases, headache and heart palpitations may appear.

Do not drink tea medications, as they can interact with the tannins contained in the drink, and thus reduce the effect of drugs or even be harmful.

Never drink black tea from yesterday's brewing, it will not only not be beneficial, but can also harm the body.

Black tea has a bad effect on teeth and, in particular, on tooth enamel, therefore, after drinking a cup of black tea, dentists recommend brushing your teeth to avoid darkening of the enamel.

Black tea with:

Milk:

Black tea with milk is very useful for the body and has a beneficial effect on it, since tea and milk reduce the negative properties of each other. So thanks to milk, the amount of caffeine in tea decreases, and milk is more easily absorbed with tea, which has a very beneficial effect on digestion.

People who like black tea are less prone to cardiovascular disease. And thanks to the calcium contained in milk, bones are strengthened, which is especially important in old age. Also, tea with milk has a beneficial effect on hair, nails and teeth.

It should be noted that this tea improves mood and has a very good effect on the nervous system.

Calorie content of black tea with milk (without sugar) - 15.98 kcal per 100 gr.

Calorie content of black tea with milk (with sugar) - 43 kcal per 100 gr.

We can take an example of brewing black tea with milk from the British, true connoisseurs this tea.

Ingredients:

  • milk

First of all, you need to brew black tea, for this we use your favorite type of tea and hot water from 90 to 100 degrees, brew for 4-7 minutes. Pour milk into a cup (about a quarter of a cup) and only then pour already brewed black tea into it.

Thyme:

Tea with thyme has a unique aroma and taste. This tea increases the vigor of the body and performance.

Thyme contains a substance such as a polyphenol that protects the genetic material of the cell. It also includes gum, organic acids, carotene, vitamins B and C, resins and many others.

Black tea with thyme restores strength and invigorates

Thyme tea is best consumed hot or warm. Hot tea with thyme gives warmth in the cold and coolness in the heat, this is its uniqueness. Also tea with thyme prevents the occurrence of allergies.

Calorie content of black tea with thyme - 2 kcal per 100 gr.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon thyme (not a full spoon)
  • 1 teaspoon black tea (heaping teaspoon)
  • water - 800 ml.

Pour prepared ingredients into teapot. We put the water to boil. Pour boiling water over the kettle, cover with a lid, leave to infuse (5 minutes). Who loves stronger, let them insist longer (7-8 minutes). Happy tea!

Bergamot:

As a rule, tea with bergamot is made from Indian and Ceylon varieties of tea, adding bergamot peel oil to them.

Bergamot is a plant from the citrus family, somewhat similar to lemon. Oil is extracted from its peel, which is subsequently flavored with tea.

Bergamot has calming properties, improves digestion, and is a good antiseptic.

Black tea with bergamot will help you cheer up, forget about fatigue, give clarity of thought and help you concentrate. Bergamot tea is also very beneficial for the skin. With regular use of this tea, age spots and freckles disappear.

Caloric content of black tea with bergamot - 2 kcal per 100 gr.

Black tea with bergamot and chamomile.

Ingredients:

  • Black tea with bergamot - 4 teaspoons
  • Dried chamomile flowers - 1 teaspoon
  • Sugar

Pour boiling water over the teapot, put tea and chamomile, pour boiling water over 1/4 of the volume, leave for 5 minutes.

Pour boiling water into the kettle, leave for 3 minutes, strain, pour into cups, put sugar in each.

Ginger:

Ginger root is a very popular and useful spice.

Ginger contains vitamin A, B vitamins and amino acids, as well as minerals (iron, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium). Ginger tea is beneficial for its effect on cardiovascular system body, it thins the blood, strengthens the heart muscle and blood vessels. It is also very useful for digestion, eliminates excess gases, removes toxins, cleanses the liver, stimulates brain activity and enhances potency. Ginger tea contains a large number of vitamin C, so it is popularly used to treat colds and flu. Drinking tea with ginger is also recommended for the prevention of colds.

Also indispensable ginger tea for weight loss because essential oils contained in ginger, accelerate metabolic processes in the body.

The calorie content of black tea with ginger is about 10.8 kcal per 100 gr.

Warming ginger tea.

Ingredients:

  • water - 1 l
  • fresh grated ginger - 1.5-2 teaspoons
  • black tea - 2-3 teaspoons
  • cloves 2-3 pcs.
  • ground cardamom 0.5 teaspoon
  • lemon, honey to taste

Pour water into enamelware and put it on the stove. Immediately throw tea and ginger. When the water boils, add cloves, cardamom and honey. Let it boil again and remove from the stove. Strain, pour into cups, add lemon and drink. Happy tea.

Mint:

Peppermint tea is a very good helper for colds, makes breathing easier, and is effective for migraines. Such an effect on the body has menthol, the extracts of which are made from mint leaves. Mint tea is also useful for people with cardiovascular diseases, it normalizes blood pressure, contributes to the normal functioning of the heart.

Peppermint tea is considered a women's tea and many men do not like it because it tends to reduce the level of male hormones in the body. Due to this, women have reduced hair growth in unwanted places. It also helps with women's problems, mint helps relieve pain, regulates the menstrual cycle, improves the condition during menopause.

Caloric content of black tea with mint - 8.38 kcal per 100 gr.

Ingredients:

For brewing black tea with mint, it is advisable to use porcelain or glass.

Take black tea (one part) and mint leaves, fresh or dry (one part). Chop mint leaves and add to tea. Pour boiled water approximately 90 degrees. Let's insist.

What are the benefits of black tea for the eyes?

Indian scientists have conducted studies, the results of which show that regular consumption of black tea can prevent the risk of cataracts. Washing the eyes with tea leaves or applying swabs soaked in tea to the eyes eliminates the redness of the eyeball. Black tea is extremely useful for curing pustular eye disease - barley.

To treat eyes that tend to become inflamed and react to dust, you will need black tea, cotton wool or sponges, and a cup.

You can relieve inflammation as follows: brew strong tea in a bowl, let it brew and cool to a warm state. Soak a cotton pad liberally in the tea solution. Use a separate cotton pad for each eye.

Before washing your eyes with tea, wrap your neck with cellophane or a towel, as drops of tea will fall on your clothes and stain them brown. Bend over the washbasin and run the cotton wool soaked in tea from the outer to the inner corner of the eye. Take a new cotton wool and repeat the manipulation a few more times. In order for the tea solution to fall precisely on the inflamed area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe eyeball, tilt your head to one side. After washing, gently pat the delicate skin around the eyes with a paper towel to remove the remaining solution and the smell of tea. This home method washing can also be done with conjunctivitis and eye inflammation in infants.

Another way to wash the eyes with tea takes place when a foreign body gets into the eyes painfully. If you get sand, eyelash or dust in your eyes, fill a container with freshly brewed strained tea, hold it to your eye and blink it in the tea solution. The irritating factor will be washed away.

Does black tea increase or decrease blood pressure?

The composition of black tea includes alkaloids or, in other words, the simplest caffeine with a variety of components. Thus, after you have drunk a cup of tea, caffeine begins to act. It gives a slight effect of excitation, the heartbeat quickens. The components of caffeine, such as theobromine, xanthine, nofilin, paraxanthine and hypoxanthine, also begin to affect the body, which leads to an increase in pressure. Thus ends the first stage of the action of black tea.

The second stage of the action of black tea is its ability to maintain pressure for a sufficiently long time. This is due to the fact that in addition to the listed components, black tea also contains great amount microelements and vitamins and the method of making black tea is fermentation.

Thus, black tea is excellent for people suffering from hypotension, as by "holding" the pressure, it maintains normal well-being. But for people with unstable blood pressure, excessive consumption of black tea can be fraught with hypertension.

Here we will give some features of the use of both black and green tea, as well as the rules that you need to follow when drinking tea if you are looking after your health.

What are the benefits of green tea.

Green tea preparations have a diuretic effect, but due to the stimulating effect, it is not recommended to use it as a diuretic.

Green tea is one of the best remedies for fatigue. Green tea infusion is used as an antimicrobial agent for dysentery. This tea is a means of preventing urolithiasis and cholelithiasis. Both red and green as well as black teas support the tone of the body. In individual tea consumption can affect the appetite - both by stoking and satisfying the feeling of hunger.

Due to the content of vitamin C, green tea helps to cope with many oncological diseases. Vitamin P contained in green tea makes the walls of blood vessels stronger and more elastic. All these beneficial features also apply to black or red tea. The beneficial properties of green tea are due to the fact that its composition contains a large number of various bioactive substances, trace elements and vitamins.

Fun fact: red or black tea in Soviet times was used extremely in an unusual way. Women of fashion did without solariums to make the skin swarthy. To do this, they poured a little water into black tea, put it on fire, bringing it to a boil, and then insisted, waiting for the liquid to cool. The skin was rubbed with this infusion twice a day. Tanning without sunbathing is ready.

However, some people should drink tea carefully so as not to harm themselves.

Tea, whether black, green, red or pu-erh, is certainly extremely beneficial for health.

1. Pregnant women

Any tea contains a certain amount of caffeine, which, by stimulating the fetus, negatively affects its development. It is often heard that since there is less caffeine in black (red) tea, it is not harmful to pregnant women. But, in reality, black and green tea do not differ much in this indicator. According to Japanese researchers, five cups of tea drunk a day contains such an amount of caffeine that can lead to significant underweight in an infant. In addition, caffeine causes an increase in heart rate and increases urination, which increases the burden on the heart and kidneys, and thus increases the likelihood of developing toxicosis.

2. Suffering from stomach problems

Although the tea features of pu-erh, promotes digestion, but those suffering from stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as increased acidity in the stomach, should avoid its use, both green and black. A healthy stomach contains a compound of phosphoric acid, which reduces the secretion of gastric acid in the cells of the stomach wall, but theophylline found in tea can suppress the function of this compound, resulting in excess stomach acid, and hyperacidity gastric juice disrupts the functionality of the stomach and contributes to the formation of ulcers. Therefore, those who have stomach problems, and, moreover, those who already have, should stop drinking both black and green, and other types of tea, since this will remove the stimulation of gastric acid secretion characteristic of tea and can be harmful.

3. Suffering from atherosclerosis and hypertension

Patients with a similar diagnosis should also stop drinking black and strongly brewed green tea. This is due to the fact that tea contains theophylline and caffeine, which have an exciting effect on the central nervous system. And when the cerebral cortex becomes excited, the brain's blood vessels constrict, which is bad for atherosclerosis sufferers and can cause blood clots to form in the brain.

4. Insomniacs

Insomnia can have a variety of causes, but regardless of its causes, you should not drink green or black (even weak and sweet) tea - due to the stimulating effect of caffeine. Just one cup of tea before bed puts the central nervous system and brain in a state of excitement, the pulse quickens, blood flow accelerates, it becomes almost impossible to fall asleep. For getting maximum benefit and not causing harm from drinking tea, it is recommended to finish tea drinking a couple of hours before bedtime. For the elderly, drinking tea in the morning is recommended.

5. Patients with fever

The heat is accompanied by the expansion of superficial blood vessels and increased sweating, therefore, high temperature leads to an overuse of water, dielectrics and nutrients, which causes thirst. It is generally accepted that hot black tea quenches thirst well, and therefore is useful at elevated temperatures. But this is very far from reality. Recently, British pharmacologists have found that tea not only does not benefit those suffering from fever, but, on the contrary, theophylline, which is especially abundant in green tea, increases body temperature. Theophylline, present in both black and green tea, is also a diuretic and therefore renders any antipyretic drugs ineffective.

In addition, you should pay attention to the following factors when drinking tea:

scalding tea
Too much hot tea strongly stimulates the throat, esophagus and stomach, and can also burn the mucous membrane of the mouth, which will prevent you from fully enjoying the wonderful taste of tea. The tea temperature should not exceed +56°.

Cold tea
While moderately hot tea gives vigor, makes consciousness and vision clear, cold tea has negative side effects - stagnation of cold and accumulation of sputum.

Strong tea.
High content of theine and caffeine strong tea can cause headaches and insomnia.

Long brewing tea.
If tea is brewed for too long, tea phenol, lipids, essential oils begin to spontaneously oxidize, which not only deprives the tea of ​​transparency, palatability and aroma, but also significantly reduces nutritional value tea due to the oxidation of vitamins C and P contained in tea leaves, as well as other valuable substances.

Multiple brewing.
The number of brews is determined by the method of brewing and the quality of the tea. When brewing tea "in European style", when each brew is infused for 5-10 minutes, usually after the third or fourth brew, there is little left in the tea leaves. Experiments show that the first infusion extracts approximately 50% of the nutrients from the tea leaves, the second 30%, the third only about 10%, and the fourth adds another 1-3%. If you continue to brew tea further, then harmful substances contained in tea leaves in a very small amount may begin to enter the infusion. large quantities as they go into infusion at last turn. When brewing tea using the Ping Cha method, when a lot of tea is placed in a small volume and infused a little (a few seconds), the tea withstands 5-8 brews, some collection varieties 10-15 brews.

Tea before meals.
Tea drunk immediately before a meal leads to liquefaction of saliva, the food begins to seem tasteless, in addition, the absorption of protein by the digestive organs may temporarily decrease. Therefore, tea should be drunk no later than 20-30 minutes before meals.

Tea after meals.
The tannin content in tea can cause protein and iron to harden, making them less absorbable. If you want to drink tea after a meal, wait 20-30 minutes.

Tea on an empty stomach.
If you drink strongly brewed tea on an empty stomach, "the cold nature of the tea, penetrating in, can cool the spleen and stomach," which can cause discomfort.

Drinking medicine with tea.
The tannins contained in tea break down to form tannin, from which many medicines precipitate and are poorly absorbed. That is why the Chinese say that tea destroys medicines.

Yesterday's tea.
Tea that has stood for a day not only loses vitamins, but due to high content protein and sugars becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. If the tea has not spoiled, it is quite possible to use it in medicinal purposes but as an external agent. So, tea that has been infused for a day is rich in acids and fluorine, which prevent bleeding from capillaries, so yesterday's tea helps with inflammation of the oral cavity, pain in the tongue, eczema, bleeding gums, superficial skin lesions, abscesses.
Washing the eyes with yesterday's tea helps to reduce discomfort when manifested in the proteins of blood vessels and after tears, and rinsing the mouth in the morning, before brushing your teeth and after eating, not only leaves a feeling of freshness, but also strengthens the teeth.

Note: The information given is quite general and varies depending on the type of tea and the conditions of its brewing. So, in particular, with regard to the number of brews of one serving of tea, then good varieties teas can withstand 10 or more infusions, retaining color, aroma and nutritional qualities; the temperature of the water for brewing a tea leaf is also a variable indicator, it varies from 65 degrees for light teas - green and white, to 95-100 degrees for black and red teas ...

frequency of tea drinking.

No matter how useful tea is, do not forget about moderation. Excessive consumption of tea means increased stress on the heart and kidneys. Strong tea leads to excitation of the brain, rapid heartbeat, frequent urination, insomnia. Caffeine in large doses, as recent medical studies have shown, contributes to the occurrence of certain diseases. Therefore, with tea you should know when to stop.
On average, 4-5 cups of not very strong tea during the day are beneficial, especially for a middle-aged person. Some cannot do without strong tea, because otherwise they do not feel the taste. In this case, you should limit yourself to 2-3 cups, at the rate of 3 grams of tea leaves per cup, so 5-10 grams of tea comes out per day. Tea is better to drink a little, but often and always freshly brewed. Of course, you should not drink tea at bedtime. It is useful for older people to drink simply boiled water in the evening, it is best to boil it shortly before and then cool it to room temperature.

The Chinese drink tea no more than three times a day.

On the intoxicating effect of tea.

"Tea intoxication" can be caused by tea in excessive amounts or improperly prepared tea. The harm from such intoxication can hardly be called too strong, but you still should not abuse tea. Tea on an empty stomach, tea on a full stomach, a shock dose of tea for an unaccustomed body can lead to symptoms such as restlessness, dizziness, impotence in the limbs, discomfort in the stomach, unsteady standing, hunger. Concerning different varieties and ways of drinking tea, the greatest danger is tea on an empty stomach. The most susceptible to tea intoxication are weakened people with emptiness in the kidneys. When the described symptoms appear, you should immediately eat something - either honey or fruit.

Tea and alcohol.

Tea is not compatible with alcohol. Tea after alcohol adversely affects the kidneys. Theophylline, found in tea, speeds up the process of urine production in the kidneys, which leads to the fact that they can get still unsplit acetaldehyde, which is highly stimulating. harmful effect on the kidneys, in some cases posing a threat to life. Alcoholic beverages should not be mixed with tea, and especially with strong tea. According to the doctrine of yin-yang, alcohol has spicy taste, which primarily goes to the lungs, the lungs correspond to the skin and interact with the large intestine. As for tea, it promotes the rise of yang energy and stimulates blood circulation, it tastes bitter and belongs to yang. When tea is drunk after alcoholic drinks, it has a stimulating effect on the kidneys, the kidneys govern water, water gives rise to warmth, as a result of which cold stagnation occurs, which leads to cloudy urine, excessive dryness of the feces, impotence. In the famous treatise of Li Shi-zhen, “Ben-tsao gan-mu” it is written: “Tea after wine harms the kidneys, the lower back and hips are filled with heaviness, the bladder becomes cold and sore, and in addition, phlegm accumulates, and swelling appears from the drunk liquid” .

Modern medicine complements Chinese teachings. First, the alcohol in alcohol has a strong stimulating effect on the heart and blood vessels, and tea has a similar effect. Therefore, when the action of tea is added to the action of alcohol, the heart receives even stronger stimulation, which does not bode well for people with weakened heart function.
Secondly, tea after even very light alcohol negatively affects the kidneys. So most of the alcohol is converted first in the liver into acetaldehyde, then into acetic acid, which, decomposing into carbon dioxide and water, is then excreted through the kidneys from the body. Theophylline found in tea speeds up the process of urine production in the kidneys, which leads to the fact that not yet broken down acetaldehyde can get into them, which has a highly stimulating, harmful effect on the kidneys, in some cases life-threatening.
Therefore, alcoholic beverages (even low-grade beer) should not be mixed with tea. It is best to eat fruits - sweet tangerines, pears, apples, or, even better, drink watermelon juice. AT last resort will help fruit juice or sweetened water. Chinese pharmacology also recommends a decoction of kudzu liana flowers or a decoction of kudzu root and mung beans for quick sobering up. If intoxication is characterized by symptoms such as slow breathing, unconsciousness, weakening of the pulse, cold sweat on the skin, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Is it good for children to drink tea?

It is generally accepted that tea is harmful to children, as it has a too pronounced stimulating effect. Parents are also afraid that tea can damage the spleen and stomach, which are very tender in childhood. In fact, there are no grounds for these fears.
Tea contains phenolic derivatives, caffeine, vitamins, protein, sugars, aromatic compounds, as well as zinc and fluorine, necessary for the development child's body. Therefore, tea, subject to moderation, is undoubtedly useful for children. In general, you should not give children more than 2-3 small cups a day, do not brew tea strongly, and even more so give it to drink in the evening. Also, tea should be warm, not hot or cold.

Little children often have an increased appetite and easily overeat. In this case, tea will help, as it dissolves fats, improves intestinal motility and increases the separation of digestive secretions. The vitamins and methionine contained in tea effectively regulate fat metabolism and reduce the feeling of discomfort after fatty meat meals. Tea also removes the "fire", from the excess of which children often suffer. The symptom of fire (according to traditional Chinese medicine) is dryness of the feces, which leads to difficulty in defecation. To get rid of this problem, some try to give honey and bananas to children, but this only gives a one-time effect. The best way elimination of "fire" - regular consumption of tea, which, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is "bitter and cold", and therefore removes fire and heat. The people describe the effect of tea on the body as follows: "above it clears the head and eyesight, in the middle it improves the digestion of food, and below it improves urination and defecation", and these words undoubtedly have a basis. In addition, microelements are necessary for the growth of bones, teeth, hair, nails, and the fluorine content in tea, especially in green tea, is much higher than in other plants. Therefore, the consumption of tea not only strengthens the bones, but also prevents tooth decay.

Of course, children, especially toddlers, should not drink a lot of tea, and strong or iced tea should also be avoided. A large amount of tea increases the water content in the body, thereby increasing the load on the heart and kidneys. Strong tea stimulates the child's central nervous system, increases the heart rate, increases the urge to urinate, and can cause insomnia. In a growing child, all body systems are not yet mature, and therefore regular overexcitation, and even more so insomnia, leads to an overuse of nutrients and negatively affects the growth process. Do not infuse tea for too long, as this will release too much tannin into the solution, and tea with a high concentration of tannin can lead to compression of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Combining with food proteins, tannin gives tannic acid protein, which, precipitating, suppresses appetite, negatively affects digestion and assimilation of food. In addition, the stronger the tea is brewed, the less vitamin B1 it contains, and the worse, therefore, iron is absorbed. So, a little weak tea will benefit children, but strong tea, and even in large quantities, will only do harm.

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Pleasant taste, the color and aroma of natural black tea attracts and invigorates. This drink is traditional for many, but some consider it poisonous. Indeed, the issue of tea is controversial, because it carries […]

Pleasant taste, color and aroma of natural black tea attracts and invigorates. This drink is traditional for many, but some consider it poisonous. Indeed, the issue of tea is controversial, because it carries benefits and harms. It is interesting to understand whether it is harmful to drink strong black tea and learn about its hidden properties.

Composition of black tea

Ceylon black tea is a non-calorie drink that includes a lot of trace elements. The composition contains phosphorus, vitamin A (carotene), magnesium, vitamin C, sodium, riboflavin, potassium, calcium and niacin.

Other constituents of black tea are vitamin K, caffeine, amino acids, tannin, vitamin P, fluoride, vitamins B1 and B2, and pantothenic acid.

Types of black tea

Black tea can be large-leaf, in the form of dust in bags, broken broken and small-leaf teas. Tea is processed in different ways. It can be granulated, loose leaf, extracted and pressed.

Which black tea is best?

To choose and buy the best black tea in the store, you need to focus on the characteristics of the product. So, good tea It has black leaves, not grey. The fragments are uniform in size, there are no other impurities, no foreign particles and debris. Significantly curled leaves have a deeper taste and longer shelf life, while lightly curled leaves have a shorter shelf life and a milder taste.

Take a look at the date of manufacture and packaging. It is worth buying tea that is made less than 5 months ago. This drink is the best. The tea leaves should not emit strange smells of mold and burning that are not characteristic of tea. Fragility and flattened appearance of foliage is not welcome. Humidity of tea should be optimal, this is evidenced by sufficient elasticity and pleasant aroma of each leaf.

Why is black tea harmful?

Drinking black tea is dangerous for people with an easily excitable psyche. The drink is undesirable for hypertension and other chronic disorders. The harm of black tea on the human body occurs when it is consumed in the afternoon. In this case, a side effect may develop, for example, rheumatoid arthritis.

With the abuse of tea, the body actively loses valuable magnesium, which means that the nervous system is at risk. If every day to drink from 1 liter or more than 5 cups of concentrated black tea, this predisposes to hypomagnesemia, that is, to a critical lack of magnesium.

This drink is also dangerous from the point of view of dental health - the enamel turns yellow and brown. And an excess of fluorine negatively affects the bones, teeth, as calcium is destroyed. In the worst case, oversaturation of the body with active substances causes insomnia, varicose veins and skin problems.

Today, the question is whether strong black tea is harmful, since many people tend to drink it in large quantities and very often during the day. And some still face its destructive effect, but blame other circumstances. The most common effects include tremors, increased irritability, the illusion of ringing in the ears, rapid pulse, inability to relax, tension and nervousness, headache, vomiting, and nausea.

As well as the harm, the harm of black tea increases if, in parallel with the abuse of the drink, get carried away energy drinks and drinking coffee uncontrollably. The most terrible consequences of such violence against the body are loss of consciousness, convulsions and arterial hypertension.

If a woman during menopause is fond of black tea, it increases the risk of developing arthritis. According to doctors, one of the causes of chronic fatigue is the excessive consumption of black tea. The drink brings the most harm to women, adolescents and children.

Black tea and blood pressure

Drinking black tea is especially worrisome for people with blood pressure problems. It is believed that the drink is able to raise the pressure. Therefore, tea is dangerous for hypertension, when pressure surges are unacceptable. There is a debate about whether black tea raises or lowers blood pressure - some feel this effect, others do not.

Under the influence of caffeine components, pressure rises and lasts for a long time. But for hypotensive patients, this is a plus. People who suffer from low pressure, can feel good for a long time thanks to tea. If the pressure was initially unstable, then there is a possibility of developing hypertension when drinking black tea in large quantities.

With hypertension of the first degree, you can not drink more than 2 cups of black tea per day. With hypertension of 2-3 degrees, limiting daily dose- 1 cup. It is also advisable to drink green tea and other drinks.

caffeine in black tea

Just one cup of black tea contains about 70 mg of caffeine. For comparison, a glass of cola provides 40 mg of caffeine, a cup of green tea provides 80 mg of caffeine, and a cup of coffee provides about 100 mg of caffeine. AT expensive varieties black tea has more caffeine, cheaper ones have less.

Black tea contraindications

Black tea of ​​any strength is definitely undesirable to drink in the following disorders and conditions. In infancy, pregnancy and lactation. Given the effect of raising eye pressure, the drink is very dangerous for glaucoma. Due to the risk of cramps, do not take tea on an empty stomach.

You can not drink yesterday's and very hot black tea. High temperatures injure the gastrointestinal mucosa. In the acute stage of ulcers and gastritis, in no case should you drink tea, since the irritating effect on the mucous membrane will cause a worsening of the condition.

Among other things, you need to consider whether black tea is harmful in terms of the presence of tannin and caffeine. It is believed that tannin and caffeine interfere with the normal absorption of iron. That is why black tea is prohibited during the treatment of anemia. The drink is useless and even dangerous to use along with iron-rich foods, you need to pause for a while.

Useful properties of black tea

Speaking of harm, it is impossible not to mention the positive properties. After all, we have before us not a poison, but a drink popular for centuries. It should be rightly noted that with moderate use of a high-quality drink, healthy people there are no problems.

Folk healers know exactly what black tea is good for. This drink has a positive effect on joints and bones, relieves stress, slows down the aging process, helps to recover from stress due to its antioxidant effect, saves from obesity, diabetes and chronic diseases, kills harmful bacteria in the mouth.

The presence of caffeine is a positive thing for healthy people, as this substance promotes easy concentration, improves mood and gives energy for the whole day.

The undeniable benefits of black tea are expressed in the fact that with reasonable consumption, the energy supply increases, brain activity increases, the person becomes more mobile, in general, the body comes into tone. The tea has sedative effect, it reduces swelling and improves kidney function, relieves headaches and muscle spasms.

How to brew black tea?

You don't have to be a tea expert to understand and remember how to properly brew black tea. By the way, many brew the drink incorrectly.

We take a teapot made of ceramics, glass, porcelain, wash and dry the dishes well. Do not use a teapot made of metal, such material is considered unsuitable for a tea ceremony. Rinse the kettle twice with boiling water.

We take so much tea leaves that 1 teaspoon of leaves falls on 1 glass of water. We put tea leaves in a hot kettle, we wait a couple of minutes. Then pour half a kettle of boiling water, close the lid.

After 3 minutes, you need to top up right amount boiling water and close the lid again.

It will take another 4 minutes, and the tea is ready to drink. According to this recipe, a medium-strong tea is obtained, which can be drunk in pure or dilute with a little water.

The remaining tea leaves cannot be re-brewed. Bacteria are actively multiplying in yesterday's tea leaves.

It is believed that the optimal water temperature for brewing black tea is from 85 to 90 degrees. Not boiling water. The steeping time limit is 3 minutes, no more is required. The given recipe for black tea is considered more acceptable in terms of taste and flavor and safety of the drink.

Black tea with milk

In general, tea with milk is considered useful, including for weight loss. The drink should not be drunk in the evening, so as not to wake up for going to the toilet, as there will be a diuretic effect.

Milk tea improves brain activity, has a positive effect on immunity, is well absorbed and does not overload the stomach. Milk cancels out the damaging effects of caffeine.

There are useful substances in tea and milk, but some of them become useless when mixed. For example, catechin is mixed with casein, from this substance the properties change. Tea dilates blood vessels, and when milk is added, this effect is neutralized.

Black tea with additives

There are flavored black teas on the market today. In many sources, the harm and benefits of black tea bags are distributed unevenly, there is definitely more harm. Fluoride compounds are believed to be harmful. Dangerous paper, from which bags for single tea leaves are made. And the researchers also say that such a product contains aflatoxin, a substance harmful to the human liver.

If you don't trust tea bag makers, make delicious flavored tea yourself. buy tea best quality and drink it with self-selected supplements:

  • cream;
  • bergamot;
  • sugar;
  • thyme;
  • lemon
  • wild rose;
  • cinnamon;
  • orange;
  • ginger.

Drink black tea of ​​any strength for health, if it is not contraindicated for you. And know the measure. If not everything is in order with your health, ask your doctor or look for answers on the Internet if you can drink black tea. In any case, do not drink too much and often this drink. Diversify your menu with other drinks, there are a great many options, for example, ordinary purified water is useful for absolutely everyone.

Increasing efficiency, especially in the evening and at night, improving mood, finding harmony, eliminating nervousness, and so on - all this can provide a person with strong tea. It is no coincidence that many of us (and, I must say, quite deservedly) like to drink a cup of this drink. One, the other, the third ... The main thing here is not to overdo it with the dosage. But not everyone knows that strong tea can be not only useful, but also harmful if used improperly. What is the salt? Let's figure it out together.

A bit of history

Tea leaves as tea leaves for cooking delicious drink Man has been using since time immemorial. For example, in ancient China there were already methods of using the product as medicinal product(according to one of the myths, in the second millennium BC). And in the era of the Tang Dynasty, the mass use of teas as drinks became widespread.

Finally, by the second half of the 1st millennium AD, the rules of tea drinking were already established, and the Chinese stopped boiling the leaves, which was previously practiced, and salt was no longer added to the drink. Lu Yu published the Cha Ching (The Canon of Tea). In those days, strong tea was made from briquettes, and before brewing it was also crushed in a mortar. During the Song Dynasty, both the leaves of the plant and the powder from them were used (beaten with a special whisk in a small amount water). Over time, tea drinking became an exquisite pastime, and the Sung tea ceremony was its pinnacle. Then the Japanese borrowed this version of the preparation of the drink, including it in the tea ceremony.

Green or black?

At first, there was no alternative. Dried naturally leaves. That is, only green tea was offered in its various types and qualities. Strong black tea was invented to drink later. By the way, this name is European in color. In Asia, this drink is called red. This is a heavily oxidized tea where the leaves go through a process of the same name from half a month to 30 days. The product is oxidized almost completely - up to 80% and above. Hence the color of the drink. When dry, the result is virtually black. Available in powder, leaves and granules.

How to cook

To truly enjoy tea drink, high-quality brewing is required, soft water is needed (preferably - additionally purified) without foreign smell. Important: do not bring the liquid to a boil. It is believed that freshly boiled water completely destroys the taste, aroma, and beneficial properties of the drink.

Experts say: the ideal temperature for brewing strong black tea is 80-90 degrees Celsius (even less for green). Important: with proper brewing of black, the infusion time is no more than 3 minutes.

And remember: you should not drink a drink that has stood still. For example, when black tea is brewed for half an hour, oxidation processes are already underway in it, and the drink becomes not only useless, but even dangerous.

Note that repeated brewing of black tea also does not bring pleasure and benefit. Experts believe that the first tea leaves extract about fifty percent of useful substances from the leaf, the second no more than 30. And the third time only 10 percent, no more. Adding sugar to tea is undesirable, especially when the tea is chosen to be expensive, of the highest quality.

The benefits of strong tea

It has long been known as a prevention against the reproduction of viral infections and pathogenic bacteria in the human body. The antioxidants present there perfectly protect, for example, from a cold. Accordingly, you can drink strong tea, based only on these explanations. But, in addition, drinking this drink, according to official medicine, prevents the development of atherosclerosis (especially in the early stages). Tannin, which is part of the tea components, is useful: according to doctors, it can significantly increase immunity. And the presence of such an element as fluorine strengthens tooth enamel, normalizing the condition of the gums.

And strong tea also increases blood pressure, which is appreciated by people who experience fatigue, fatigue, hypotension. Not less than important features are considered the ability of tea to quickly rid the body of harmful substances: toxins, carcinogens. In addition, the drink allows you to eliminate non-critical disorders of the genitourinary system.

For vessels and brains

Undoubtedly, strongly brewed tea helps to better absorb and analyze the information received by the brain, stimulating its activity.

Another opinion of doctors: with regular use of black tea, it is an excellent prophylactic against stroke and chronic migraine, expanding and strengthening blood vessels. Strong black tea is high in caffeine. And this means that this drink invigorates and invigorates.

For the digestive tract and eyes

It is able to normalize the intestinal microflora, is useful for various diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the content of vitamin P, black tea improves the intensity of blood circulation in small vessels. It is known that the inflamed organs of vision of children have long been washed with this drink among the people. High quality black teas contain quercetin. And it can prevent the rapid formation of blood clots.

Harm: is it possible to drink strong tea?

Every medal has two sides. But I must say that the harmfulness of the drink is associated with its use in excess. Too frequent (or in significant quantities) drinking strong tea adversely affects health. In this case, harm to the gastrointestinal tract is also real, since such tea irritates the esophageal mucosa.

Abuse negatively affects the heart muscle. The main harm from use arises from the exciting effect. Doctors do not recommend drinking strongly brewed tea in the evening. It is not necessary to use teas for pregnant women, as well as nursing mothers, because, getting into milk, the substances contained there cause sleep disturbance in babies. In addition, it is not recommended for patients sensitive to caffeine or caffeine dependent. Strong tea has contraindications for those suffering from glaucoma, as it can increase intraocular (and intracranial) pressure.

Oh, strong tea, good or bad hiding in you? Are you better, strong tea, than weak tea, or vice versa - only it brings benefits, and you only harm? Or maybe it all depends on the situation - in some cases, strong tea leaves will be better, and in others - weak?

So many questions. So many mysteries. But we will reveal them all!

The benefits or harms of stronger welding

Understanding that better suited for different ones, we somehow left aside the question of how to brew it. But it also depends to a large extent on whether tea will bring harm or benefit to the body that has drunk it.

It is intuitively clear that not strong tea will also bring harm or benefit, respectively, a little. And therefore, other things being equal, if it is not clear what to prefer, it is better to choose the weak option. After all, as they say, what is unnecessary is not good, and therefore strong tea may well turn into harm for our body.

When strong tea is harmful, not good

Strongly brewed tea and the effect is strong. What can harm the following body systems:

Heart harm of strong tea

  • Too strong tea puts too much stress on the heart, which leads to a rapid heartbeat and disruption of the rhythm.

Nervous harm of strong tea

  • Too strong tea causes an excited state (up to trembling in the hands) and (especially if you drink it in the evening). But I will tell you a secret - some people try to achieve such harm consciously. And they stir up a very, very strong tea called chifir. But let's leave this slippery topic to others - it has nothing to do with a healthy lifestyle.
  • Also, too much strong tea (more than five cups a day) is harmful, washing out the necessary nervous system magnesium, and leading to chronic fatigue. But if it is necessary, on the contrary, to raise the mental stability of a person and get him out of depression, then weak, not strong tea is very effective here.

Stomach harm of strong tea

  • The use of strong tea should especially be avoided on an empty stomach: this way it acts even more strongly, and, in addition, harms the stomach - up to cramps and stomach cramps. With peptic ulcer disease, it is contraindicated in general.

Other dangers of strong tea

Regular consumption of too strong tea also brings harm:

  • kidneys
  • thyroid,
  • bones
  • can cause rheumatoid arthritis.

When strong tea benefits, not harm

The benefits or harms of strong tea are very dependent on the situation:

  • Strong tea will help with indigestion - the benefits of it will appear in a few hours.
  • Strong black tea is also useful for wiping the eyes with incipient conjunctivitis and other inflammatory processes.

That is, strong tea is beneficial, not harmful, where its shock action is needed to destroy enemy bacteria and microbes that have tricked into our body. They can even treat wounds if there is nothing more effective at hand. Especially fresh - tea helps blood clot faster.

What tea is considered strong

Strange as it may sound, but the strength of the tea is determined by the drinker himself. Only he can say whether strong tea will bring him harm or benefit (more precisely, tea of ​​a particular given strength). It is not for nothing that the tea ceremony relies on the feelings of the person who prepares the tea: it is on his attitude at this particular moment - whether he thinks that the water is too hot or feels that tea needs to be brewed stronger today - its benefit or harm depends. It is in this ability to listen to oneself and the world, to feel their mutual movement, and also to find a fragile balance between them, that the ability to be healthy and happy lies. What I wish for all of us sincerely and from the bottom of my heart.