Does Black Tea Give You Energy and Focus?

Does Black Tea Give You Energy and Focus?

There are many different types of tea, all with various health promoting or mood affecting benefits. However, in western culture, when we talk about tea, we usually refer to black tea. It's what you'll get if someone offers you a cuppa and they don't follow up with a question as to what type you want. All the different incarnations of tea, including iced tea, sun tea, afternoon tea and sweet tea, can be made up of black tea leaves. It is a tea type that is oxidized for a longer period of time than green, white and oolong teas. Black tea is known for its strong flavor and dark color. As compared to other tea types, black tea is considered to be healthier and more energizing. Read this oneHOWTO article to know does black tea give you energy and focus

Black tea and energy boosts

Of all the varieties of brewed teas, black tea provides the most powerful energy boosting amount of caffeine. Black tea is prepared by completely fermenting leaves of harvested tea for a number of hours. Then, they are heated or dried to make the final tea which be packaged loose or in tea bags. The prolonged fermenting process of black tea provides it oxidation, due to which it receives its high caffeine content and black color. Just an 8 ounce cup of black tea provides 90 milligrams of caffeine, which is almost 50% of the caffeine amount you get in a full cup of coffee. While some caffeine might help temporarily improve your focus, too much can also cause distraction. A caffeine crash will also have the inverse impact when it comes to energy and focus.

Black tea used as a tonic

Before black tea gained its name as a household drink, herbalists prescribed it as a tonic to boost energy. The energy boost you feel after drinking black tea is caused due to high caffeine content in it. Almost all teas contain caffeine, but not as much as you get in a cup of coffee. So, if you want a boost of energy, black tea is something you can consider drinking. People often drink black tea in the afternoon to increase their energy level. The concept of afternoon tea was basically created for this particular reason (also as an excuse to eat cake). Earlier, people used to eat their dinner very late and there was a very long gap between their meals. Tea was taken by the upper classes of society as a light meal to stay energized.

Why we need energy

We need energy for performing all our daily tasks, including eating, walking, even lying down on the couch and watching TV. Energy works as a fuel for your body’s internal functions as well, including building, repairing and maintaining your body tissues and cells. We need energy for:

  • BMR: BMR, or basal metabolic rate, is the minimum amount of energy your body requires to stay alive and keep functioning. It uses 60-65% of the energy stored in your body. While your body is at rest, it needs energy for circulation, digestion, respiration, excretion and other organ functions. Energy is also required to keep your body warm and maintain its temperature. Energy requirements may differ from one person to the other. They will boost focus by simply keeping our motors running smoothly. Variables include gender, age, activity level, diet, health condition and body composition.
  • Body development: Children, as well as young adults, require energy to make developmental changes in their body composition, weight and height.
  • Digestion: Digestion process also requires energy for food metabolism. Different nutrients are digested at different rates. For instance, animal protein is digested for longer than fat or carbohydrates. If you are ill, then fighting against infections and diseases will also require significant amount of energy.
  • Physical energy: We need energy to work, play, exercise and perform all daily functions during the day and night.
  • Mental energy: Our brain also needs energy to support, protect and maintain life. Reading, writing, solving a crossword puzzle, learning a new language, day dreaming and all other mental activities also need energy and focus. Everyday stress and worry also consumes energy, sometimes because we lose focus and get distracted. This can form a vicious circle.

Nutritional information on black tea

In addition to caffeine, black tea also contains carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, potassium, manganese, fluoride, polyphenols and many major minerals. It also contains catechins, tannins and natural stimulants like guanine and xanthine. Complex flavonoids, called polyphenols in black tea prevent diseases and act as powerful antioxidants. Since black tea is low in calories and sodium, it becomes a healthier substitute to soft drinks and other unhealthy beverages. This is especially in comparison to energy drinks which can be very bad for your health. These might help us focused in the short term, but in the long term can be unhelpful.

Why black tea is better than coffee

Always think about drinking black tea if you want a natural way to increase your energy levels. Coffee is not always the best choice. It may relieve tiredness temporarily, but it can create a chemical dependency in your body and cause addiction. Too much consumption of caffeine can make your tiredness worse over time. Caffeine strongly affects your central nervous system, raises your blood pressure and heart rate and increases stress hormone production.

High doses of caffeine may even result in muscle tremors and heart palpitations. Too much caffeine on a regular basis can leave you feeling stressed and anxious all the time. You can become more prone to experience fatigue. While you may drink coffee on an occasional basis, consuming it for a long time everyday may cause a number of heart and stomach related problems. Fortunately, you have black tea that can boost your energy naturally with less amount of caffeine as compared to coffee. It is uplifting and refreshing, and is considered a healthier energy booster than coffee.

Why you feel energized after black tea

the body requires energy to perform activities of daily life. Whatever we consume converts nutrients into energy and this process is known as cellular respiration. This biochemical process captures energy in the form of a chemical termed as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This chemical breaks down the required energy to drive functions of the body cells. Fat, protein and carbohydrate provide fuel required to produce energy from food. Black tea also contains niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and other B vitamins that make the process of converting nutrients into energy easier and faster. That is why we feel energized after drinking a cup of black tea and can get back to focusing on the task at hand.

Other Health Benefits of Black Tea

Black tea works wonders to boost your heart health and improve your digestive system. It is also helpful in relieving diarrhea, type 2 diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure. Here is a list of only a few health benefits that black tea can provide:

  • Black tea has flavones that boost heart health, reduce risks of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular mortality and ischemia.
  • It has theaflavins that inhibit proliferation of cancer cells in ovaries, and reduce risk of ovarian cancer.
  • Theaflavins and catechins in black tea help the body to become more sensitive to insulin and lowers down risk of having type 2 diabetes.
  • Antioxidant content fights against free radicals and boosts immunity.
  • Calcium in black tea improves your bone health, and reduces risk of osteoporosis and possible fractures.
  • Polyphenols in black tea has neuro-protective effect on your brain that reduces risk of Parkinson’s disease.
  • Polyphenols also increase good bacteria in your gut which improve the health of your digestive tract and reduces risk of stomach ulcer, and stomach, esophageal or colorectal cancer.
  • Black tea is known to reduce LDL cholesterol in your body.
  • It helps in losing weight and preventing obesity by lowering down your triglyceride levels.
  • Flavonoids in black tea relieve asthma and improve lung function.
  • Black tea has antioxidants that flush out toxic molecules from your body.
  • Phytonutrients in black tea have antibacterial properties that kill bacteria and prevent infection.
  • Antioxidant and antibacterial properties in black tea protect teeth, prevent dental cavities, plaque and decay, and freshen up your breath.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

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