Black Tea: Effects and Side Effects – More Than Just Caffeine

The effect of black tea

The effect of black tea is similar to that of coffee. Various studies confirm black tea’s positive effects on health.

• The theine contained in black tea has a positive effect on your ability to concentrate, as brain activity is stimulated. Black tea also stimulates metabolism, circulation, and heart activity.
• However, the effect is not as pronounced as with coffee: a cup of coffee contains 50 to 150 mg of caffeine, while a cup of black tea only contains 30 to 60 mg. In addition, the caffeine in black tea is absorbed into the blood more slowly but lasts longer.
• However, you can only achieve this stimulating effect with brewing times of up to two minutes. After that, more tannins are released, to which the caffeine is then bound.
• Anyone who does not generally suffer from a sensitive stomach can benefit from these tannins. Then they have a calming effect on the stomach and intestines and can therefore be very helpful, especially in the case of diarrhea.
• In addition to potassium, black tea also contains fluoride as a mineral. Fluoride can prevent tooth decay.
• Black tea is not only said to have positive health properties as a drink. The tea, or more precisely the tannins it contains, also has a slightly antibacterial and pain-relieving effect if you apply it as a poultice to wounds or minor inflammations.

Black tea also has side effects

The high theine content is similar to the caffeine in coffee. Accordingly, side effects may occur.

• These include the typical side effects that you are also familiar with from coffee: nervousness, palpitations, and problems falling asleep.
• The tannins contained in black tea can cause another problem, especially with long steeping times. If you suffer from a sensitive stomach, black tea can cause gastrointestinal problems.
• Those who take iron supplements should be aware that drinking black tea makes it more difficult for these drugs to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
• In addition, excessive consumption of black tea leads to a lack of iron, but also of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and calcium.
• Black tea has a diuretic effect. As a result, regular consumption generally leads to an increased loss of minerals.
• Due to the increased liquid excretion, dry skin and thirst can also be the result of regular black tea consumption. You can easily solve the problem by simply drinking a glass of water with every cup of tea.
• Another side effect is more of a cosmetic problem: Black tea causes discoloration of the teeth due to the tannic acid it contains.