Which Is Healthier, Black Tea or Green Tea?

Which Is Healthier, Black Tea or Green Tea?

/ Black Tea, Green Tea, Tea

People throughout the world like tea. The Camellia Sinensis plant’s leaves are used to make both black and green tea. The main distinction between the two is that black tea has undergone oxidation whereas green tea has not. The oxidation process is sparked by rolling the leaves, which is the initial step in making black tea. The leaves turn a deep brown as a result of this process, which also enhances and intensifies the flavours. Green tea, on the other hand, undergoes processing to stop oxidation and has a considerably lighter colour than black tea. To establish whether a type of tea is healthier, this article examines the evidence on both green and black tea.

Table Of Content

Common Benefits Of Black And Green Tea

Despite the differences between green and black tea, both may have some of the same health benefits.

  • Protects Heart

    Polyphenols are a class of protective antioxidants that are abundant in both green and black tea. They specifically contain flavonoids, which are a subclass of polyphenols. The kind and quantity of flavonoids that each contains varies, though. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), for instance, is significantly more abundant in green tea than it is in black tea, which is also a good source of theaflavins. It is believed that the flavonoids in green and black tea might safeguard your heart. In one animal experiment, green and black tea both prevented the development of blood vessel plaque by up to 68% at the highest dose and by as much as 26% at the lowest dose. Both varieties of tea were shown to lower triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol according to the study.

    Additionally, two assessments that looked at more than 10 high-quality research each discovered that both green and black tea can reduce blood pressure. Further, a review of green tea research revealed that individuals who drank 1-3 cups daily had a 19% and 36% lower risk of heart attack and stroke, respectively than those who drank less than one cup daily. Similarly, consuming three or more cups of black tea each day can cut your risk of heart disease by 11%.

  • Boosts Brain Function

    The well-known stimulant caffeine can be found in both green and black tea. In comparison to black tea, which has between 39 and 109 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce (230 ml) cup, green tea has roughly 35 mg. By inhibiting the neurotransmitter adenosine, which is an inhibitor, caffeine activates your neurological system. Additionally, it promotes the production of neurotransmitters that improve moods, such as dopamine and serotonin. Caffeine can thereby improve short-term memory, mood, alertness, and vigilance. Coffee lacks the amino acid L-theanine, which is present in green and black teas. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that promotes a relaxed but attentive state, is considered to be released in the brain when L-theanine crosses the blood-brain barrier. It also encourages the release of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which improve mood. L-theanine is believed to counteract the negative effects of caffeine.

    One study indicated that persons who consumed L-theanine and caffeine combined had greater attention than when using either one alone, suggesting that the combination of these two chemicals may potentially be synergistic. Though the proportions might vary greatly, generally speaking, green tea has a little bit more L-theanine than black tea. For individuals who desire a mood boost without the recognisable restlessness of coffee, both green and black tea are excellent substitutes.

    Thus, Black and green tea both contain polyphenols with high antioxidant properties that may lower your risk of heart disease. Additionally, they both include L-theanine, which relieves stress and soothes your body, as well as caffeine, which improves attention and alertness.

Green Tea Contains High Levels Of The Potent Antioxidant EGCG

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a powerful antioxidant, is abundant in green tea (EGCG). Although green tea also includes other polyphenols like gallic acid and catechin, EGCG is thought to be the most potent and is most likely the source of many of green tea’s health advantages.

The following is a list of potential advantages of EGCG found in green tea:

  • Cancer

    According to research conducted in test tubes, green tea's EGCG can kill cancer cells by preventing them from proliferating.

  • Alzheimer's condition

    The damaging effects of amyloid plaques, which build up in Alzheimer's sufferers, may be lessened by EGCG.

  • Anti-fatigue

    According to research, mice who drank drinks containing EGCG had longer swimming distances before becoming exhausted than mice that drank water.

  • Liver protection

    In mice who were fed a high-fat diet, EGCG was demonstrated to prevent the formation of fatty liver.

  • Anti-microbial

    This antioxidant has the potential to harm bacterial cell walls and may potentially lessen the spread of certain viruses.

  • Calming

    Your body could become calmer as a result of how it interacts with brain receptors.

The results provide credence to the long-reported health advantages of drinking green tea, even though the majority of the research on the EGCG in green tea has been conducted in test-tube or animal experiments.

To summarize we can say that green tea includes EGCG, an antioxidant that has been shown in test-tube and animal tests to be effective against cancer and bacteria while also defending the liver and brain.

Black Tea Has Advantageous Theaflavins

A class of polyphenols called theaflavins is exclusive to black tea. They make up about 3-6% of all the polyphenols in black tea and are created during the oxidation process. Theaflavins appear to provide a variety of health advantages, many connected to their capacity as antioxidants. These polyphenols may help your body’s natural antioxidant production as well as shield fat cells from harm by free radicals. Additionally, they could safeguard your blood vessels and heart. Theaflavins have been shown in animal research to lessen the risk of blood vessel plaque development by lowering inflammation and boosting the availability of nitric oxide, which causes your blood vessels to widen. Theaflavins have also been demonstrated to drastically lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. They have been suggested as potential assistance in the control of obesity and may potentially increase fat breakdown. Black tea’s theaflavins may be just as potent an antioxidant as green tea’s polyphenols.

Black tea is the only source of theaflavins. They may help weight reduction and enhance blood vessel health due to their antioxidant properties.

Which One Should You Choose To Drink?

Black and green tea both have advantages. Although their polyphenol compositions are different, they could have the same positive effects on blood vessel function. The majority of studies suggest that green tea has more potent antioxidant qualities than black tea, however one study discovered that both types of tea were equally beneficial. Although both types of tea include caffeine, black tea often has more of it, so green tea is preferable for those who are sensitive to this stimulant.

In addition, green tea has higher levels of L-theanine, a relaxing amino acid that helps counteract the effects of caffeine. Black tea, on the other hand, can be a wonderful choice for you if you’re searching for a caffeine boost that is not as intense as coffee. Remember that tannins included in both black and green tea can bind to minerals and hinder their ability to be absorbed. Tea may thus be best enjoyed between meals. Black tea is ideal if you want a strong caffeine buzz even though green tea may have a slightly higher antioxidant profile.

To Conclude…

Black and green tea both provide health advantages, including those for the brain and heart. Although green tea may have stronger antioxidants than black tea, the research does not favour one tea over the other. Both include the soothing amino acid L-theanine as well as the stimulant caffeine. In essence, both are excellent dietary complements.

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