The world’s two most popular tea varieties are also the most closely studied in terms of their health benefits.
Both black and green tea come from the camellia sinensis plant. Different varietals and different processing techniques result in very different kinds of tea.
Green tea is brewed from the unprocessed, unfermented leaves of the plant. To produce black tea, the leaves are harvested, wilted, and then lightly crushed. The tea leaves are then fully oxidised, which turns them a brownish-black colour, and dried.
You’ve probably read lots of claims about what black and green tea can do for you. We sort the noise from the evidence-based facts to reveal five actual, scientifically proven benefits of these teas.
Let’s look at those benefits now.
The Evidence-Backed Benefits of Black and Green Tea
1. Boost Energy And Focus
Both green and black tea contain caffeine to give you an energy boost – but without the rollercoaster effect you might get with coffee. Black tea contains about half as much caffeine as coffee per cup – depending on tea varietal, leaf size, water temperature, and steep time. Green tea is about equal. Again, the amount of caffeine in green tea depends on the type of tea and how it’s brewed, but typically, it has about 30-50 mg per (250g) cup.
Black tea also contains l-theanine, a compound that helps to reduce stress and aid in mental clarity. Together, caffeine and l-theanine can work to improve your focus and boost your brainpower.
Not only can tea improve brain function in the short term, it may also protect your brain from neurodegenerative diseases as you age. Several studies show that the catechin compounds in green tea could lower your risk of dementia.
2. Delivering Powerful Antioxidants
Black tea has some antioxidant properties which can help to reduce harmful free radicals in the body and ward off cancer and other degenerative diseases. Groups of polyphenols, including theaflavins and thearubigins, are the main sources of antioxidants in black tea and may promote overall health.
Green tea has even greater antioxidant properties than black tea. It contains a catechin (an antioxidant) called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Research has tested the ability of EGCG to help treat various diseases. It appears to be one of the main compounds that gives green tea its medicinal properties.
3. Fat Burning
While no drink or food can melt weight off you, some evidence suggests that pairing tea with good diet and exercise can help you to burn fat more efficiently.
How? Well, green tea’s hero active ingredient EGCG may aid fat burning by boosting your metabolic rate. That means your body can break fast down more quickly. Not to mention that the caffeine in both black and green teas can increaser your energy use, causing your body to burn more calories.
Continuing to drink tea on a regular basis can prevent your metabolism from slowing, helping you to maintain a healthy weight.
Green and black tea can make smart swaps for sweetened drinks to help save on calorie intake. Just go easy on the sweeteners!
4. Good For Your Heart
Black tea contains flavanoids that can reduce stress on the heart and help to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Some studies have found that consuming tea may help reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol. One randomised study found that drinking five servings of black tea per day reduced LDL cholesterol by 11% in individuals with slightly or mildly elevated cholesterol levels.
Green tea, too: Studies show that green tea may improve total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Green tea also increases the antioxidant capacity of the blood, which protects the LDL particles from oxidation – a factor in heart disease.
5. Good For Your Gut
Besides the simple fact that a warm cup of tea can soothe your tummy and help you digest a rich meal, the polyphenols found in black tea may help maintain a healthy gut by promoting the growth of good bacteria and inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria. Black tea also contains antimicrobial properties that kill off harmful substances and improve gut bacteria and immunity by helping repair the lining of the digestive tract.
Those polyphenols that help to improve your body's digestive process are also found in green tea. Simply put: drinking green tea regularly helps your body break food down more effectively. Certain studies show that EGCG (there’s that hero ingredient again!) works to reduce inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract.
Enjoy The Health Benefits Of Black And Green Teas
Ready to enjoy these health benefits? You can get them in most of our Yah Cha blends, like:
Yah Cha Signature Tea – premium, antioxidant-rich green tea and fermented Pu’erh, an ancient prebiotic tea tonic supporting healthy digestion and providing calm energy.
Yah Cha English Breakfast – your new go-to daily kick starter and secret prebiotic weight-loss weapon, rich in fat-busting polyphenols.
Yah Cha Green Tea – slightly sweet, mildly smoky and toasty warm, it’s antioxidant rich – perfect for weight loss and overall health.
Yah Cha French Earl Grey – pretty pops of pink, gold and cornflower blue flower petals dot our premium black French Earl Grey tea.
Yah Cha Masala Chai – a malty black tea featuring aromatic herbs, sweet honey, citrus and warming spices for a rich, complex and full-flavoured blend.
Try these and incorporate the simple ritual of daily tea drinking into your life – your body and mind will thank you. Shop for tea blends now.