Tea remains the most consumed drink in the world after water, well ahead of coffee, beer, wine and carbonated soft drinks. An accumulated number of population studies suggests that consumption of green and black tea beverages may bring positive health effects . One hypothesis explaining such effects is that the high levels of flavonoids in tea can protect cells and tissues from oxidative damage by scavenging oxygen-free radicals. Chemically, the flavonoids found in green and black tea are very effective radical scavengers. The tea flavonoids may therefore be active as antioxidants in the digestive tract or in other tissues after uptake.

TRUTH ABOUT TEA

White, green, oolong and black tea all originate from the same camellia senensis plant. Their differences come from how they are processed to the desired level of oxidation. Green tea has been all the rage for its content of epigallocatechin (EGCG), a form of antioxidants associated a number of health benefits. However, Ukra points out that many studies that led to green tea's popularity used only green tea, leaving out its other counterparts. Now, researchers are focusing on the health benefits of white tea, which has a higher level of EGCG.

BLACK TEA

Black tea leaves come from the Camellia sinensis tea plant, which contains polyphenols. These compounds are powerful antioxidants that are believed to repair cells, prevent cell damage, and neutralize the free radicals that may contribute to serious medical problems. As cell protectors, the antioxidants present in black tea may even reduce the incidence of a number of health conditions, including:

• Cancer
• Alzheimer's disease
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Premature aging
• Atherosclerosis

In addition to the antioxidant benefit of black tea, scientists also believe that black tea may reduce tissue inflammation, deactivate viruses, minimize artery clogging, and lower the risk of stroke and heart attack. Tea is also thought to have a calming effect on the body, which is likely the reason that many people make it a relaxing, daily ritual.

The health benefits of black tea have been well documented for quite some time, and if you are thinking of adding more black tea to your diet, then its health benefits likely have played a big part in your decision. The big difference between black tea and other types of tea, like white and green tea, is that it is more oxidized. As a result of this increased oxidation, black tea is a lot more flavorful and caffeine-laden than its counterparts which do not enjoy this amount of oxidation. Another difference is that the flavor of black tea is retained for quite a while longer - sometimes, up to several years longer - than the flavor among other teas. Here are three health benefits to drinking black tea

1. Very Low in Sodium, Fat and Calories

Provided that you drink black tea that is pure and plain, and without the addition of sweeteners, you are drinking a tea that is ultra low in sodium, fat and calories. This property of black tea is advantageous for people who want to lose weight or even just control their weight. In essence, if you merely substitute the intake of other kinds of beverages like unhealthy soda drinks with black tea, you are already doing your body a great favor in sparing it the intake of weight gain causing calories. Furthermore, if you drink more black tea in place of other beverages that contain higher amounts of sodium and fat, you are helping your body become more healthy. Too much sodium is linked with all kinds of lethal conditions and diseases, while too much fat amounts to the same thing.

2. Reduce Cardiovascular Problems

Certain studies over the years have established that there is a direct relationship between increased black tea consumption and a decrease in cardiovascular disease. In 2001, Boston University found in a study that both short-term as well as long-term drinking of black tea actually reverses something called endothelial vasomotor dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease. This is a dysfunction which basically serves as a predictor for even more serious coronary events. The conclusions in the study backed up a previously held link between black tea and its propensity to lower cardiovascular problems.

3. Bountiful in Antioxidants

Another benefit of drinking black tea is a sizeable one: the abundance of antioxidants in it. Black tea is made from the camellia tea plant. The great benefit of this tea plant is that it comes with a plethora of the group of chemical substances known as polyphenol. These substances are one type of antioxidant, and antioxidants have been found to help in everything from the treatment of brain injury cases to treatments against hearing loss and also, potentially, Parkinson's disease. They are, however, no longer thought to significantly help fight diseases like cancer as they once were thought to.

GREEN TEA

Chinese culture has embraced the benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat fatigue, headaches and even anxiety. And, as green tea has begun to catch on in Western culture, scientists, physicians and homeopathic specialists have been studying the brew—and it’s potential as a natural wonder-drug.

Exciting News About Green Tea Health

Research conducted in Asia and the West indicates that green tea may actually counteract carcinogenesis, which leads to the development of cancer. It is thought that the tea's benefit is due to the presence of polyphenol antioxidants, and a number of studies are investigating the regular incorporation of green tea into cancer patient diets.

In studies, green tea and herbal green tea have also been found to lower cholesterol—which helps prevent the risk of heart attack and stroke. If you're a green tea enthusiast, you may want to consider mixing loose leaf green tea with an herbal rooibos infusion. Rooibos is a South African herb that may protect the body against oxidative stress and heart disease.

Finally, consider drinking green tea to simply calm your nerves, since it appears to have a variety of psychological benefits.  Even the ritual of brewing herbal green tea seems to have a positive effect on those experiencing stress or depression.

Embracing the Advantages of Green Tea

Green tea health benefits are numerous, and there are always herbal blends if you prefer flavor variety. Browse the online tea collection at AllTea.com, where you'll find an expansive inventory of tisanes, white teas, herbals and more.

Green Tea vs. Black Tea

Both green tea and black tea are derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. However, black and green teas have a unique flavor and appearance because they are processed in different ways. Tea leaves are crushed and fermented to make black tea whereas to make green tea, the tea leaves are withered and steamed. The factor that determines the difference between green and black tea is oxidization. Black tea is fully oxidized and fermented while green tea is un-oxidized. Green tea leaves retain their green color as a result.

The Flavor Difference between Green and Black Tea

Black tea has a hearty, full-bodied flavor, while green tea has a light flavor. Green tea is often described as having a fresh, grassy taste, but its flavor will depend on the type of green tea you drink. There are many different green tea varieties out there. Some have an astringent aftertaste while others taste sweet.

Green tea and black tea are different flavor-wise in that black tea has a deeper, more complex character. There are several different varieties of black tea, all of which burst with multiple flavors. Some black teas have sweet and spicy overtones while others may possess sweet floral aromas or hints of chocolate.

The Difference between Green and Black Tea Brewing Methods

Brewing methods for black and green tea are distinct. In order to brew black tea, you must use boiling water. However, to brew green tea, you cannot use boiling water because your tea will become bitter. You must use water that is between 175 degrees and 180 degrees, which is hot but not boiling.

Steeping times also differ in the preparation of black vs. green tea. Black tea is steeped for two to four minutes. Green tea should be steeped for a maximum of two minutes to prevent it from developing a bitter taste. Green tea is more delicate than black tea so it must be brewed with care.

Tea Health Benefits: Green Tea vs. Black Tea

Until recently, green tea has been the center of attention in studies about the health benefits of tea. Green tea has a high concentration of a powerful antioxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). When black tea undergoes the fermentation process, EGCG is converted into other compounds. Researchers have thus assumed that drinking black tea has fewer health benefits. However, recent studies show that the antioxidants that black tea contains also have many health-promoting properties.

Black tea contains theaflavins and thearubigens, which help to reduce bad cholesterol and lower the risk of stroke and heart attack. Black tea also prevents tooth decay because of the fluoride it contains. Black tea is thought to be effective in treating intestinal illnesses and diarrhea due to its high level of tannins. The theophylline in black tea improves circulation.

The well-known health benefits of green tea include that it prevents cancer, lowers cholesterol, relieves rheumatoid arthritis, and boosts your immune system, to name a few. Green tea's health benefits stem from the catechin polyphenols it contains, particularly EGCG.

One of the major differences between black and green tea is the fact that black tea contains approximately two to three times the caffeine of green tea. The more the leaves are fermented, the higher the caffeine content. As such, those who are sensitive to the effects of caffeine, which include insomnia and irritability, should opt for green tea instead of black tea. There are also decaffeinated versions of black tea available if you cannot stand the flavor of green tea. Even some green tea drinkers report sensitivity to caffeine's effects so if you have that problem, decaf green tea is an option.

The color difference between green and black tea is also a factor that may affect your decision of which tea to drink. Black and green tea can both stain your teeth but due to black tea's dark color, it can stain your teeth much more drastically. Some people choose green tea over black tea in order to avoid the obvious darkening of their teeth that black tea causes.

If you enjoy the flavor of both green tea and black tea, try alternating between the two. Contrary to popular belief, you will not be missing out on any health benefits by drinking black tea instead of green tea since it also provides you with a number of important health benefits. However, your choice should ultimately depend on which tea flavor you enjoy the most so let your taste buds have a say in which tea you drink!

Jony Mallik