New Delhi: Black tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages across the world. It is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plant and blended with other plants for different flavours, such as Earl Grey, English breakfast or chai. Black tea is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that can help improve health and reduce inflammation in the body. Studies have shown that black tea may enhance weight loss and help fight belly fat. So, if you’re looking for a natural strategy to help you slim down, adding black tea to your diet may be just as effective as green tea for losing the pounds.
Apart from aiding weight loss, certain compounds found in black tea has been found to protect health in many ways. For instance, the polyphenols and antimicrobial properties present in black tea have been shown to improve gut health and immunity. Similarly, flavonoids in black tea are linked to better heart health. Perhaps, various studies have found that black tea can help reduce the risk of certain conditions, including cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, etc. Black tea is also a great non-sweetened drink that can help lower blood sugar levels and improve the use of insulin in the body.
How black tea can help with weight loss
Several studies have found that black tea could be effective when it comes to reducing weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. According to one study, people who drank three cups of black tea each day for three months had significant weight loss and reduced waist circumference, compared to those drinking a caffeine-matched control beverage.
Flavonoids or polyphenols, a group of plant-based antioxidants, which are responsible for many of the health benefits associated with black tea, show promise that help you shed extra pounds. One study, published in the peer-reviewed open access scientific journal PLoS One, reported that energy expenditure - or calories burned - significantly increased after laboratory mice received a dose of theaflavins from black tea. Another study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, showed that black tea, through a specific mechanism through the gut microbiome, may also contribute to good health and weight loss in humans.
These findings indicate that black tea has the potential to promote weight loss. But, you’ll get optimal benefits by using black tea to replace high-calorie beverages.