The Healthy Temple

Black tea is currently the most popular in the US, enjoyed mainly as iced tea. The fame of black tea is mainly due to the invention of the tea bag in 1904 by NYC tea merchant Thomas Sullivan. Recent studies have shown that black tea provides equal health benefits as its green cousin. Adagio Teas continues to sell the finest loose black tea you’ll find, and now offers many varieties in a convenient gourmet tea bag as well.
Black tea is a source of caffeine, a methylxanthine that stimulates the central nervous system, relaxes smooth muscle in the airways to the lungs (bronchioles), stimulates the heart, and acts on the kidney as a diuretic (increasing urine). One cup of tea contains about 50 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the strength and size of cup (as compared to coffee, which contains 65 to 175 milligrams of caffeine per cup). Tea also contains polyphenols (catechins, anthocyanins, phenolic acids), tannin, trace elements, and vitamins.

Plain black tea without sweeteners or additives contains negligible quantities of calories, protein, sodium, and fat. Some flavored tea with different herbs added may have less than 1 gram of carbohydrates. The constituents of black act as an insulin substitute to combat type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease.