Green v/s Black Tea, which one is healthier?

Tea is loved across the world, but in India, it’s more than just a drink. Tea is engraved in our culture and has become a popular way to energize, communicate or take a break. With almost 88% of households drinking tea every morning, it has become an integrated part of our lifestyle. The variety of teas available are abundant and provide ample options to consumers. The most popular options are always black and green. However, there is always an ongoing debate to determine which is the healthier option.

Interestingly, both green and black tea are extracted from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis. The difference lies in the way each tea is prepared. To decide which is healthier, let’s analyse the different aspects associated with tea.

Difference between black and green tea

As mentioned before, both green and black tea are extracted from the same plant. But after harvest, the processing sets them apart. Black tea is oxidised by crushing, rolling and exposing the tea leaves to the air. As a result, the tea colour becomes darker. On the other hand, green tea is exposed to heat to prevent its oxidation and thus, retains its green colour.

Shared Health Benefits

The most common benefit of both teas is the presence of Polyphenol. It is a plant compound with various health benefits like repairing damaged cells, reducing the risk of cancer, and neutralizing free radicals. If consumed regularly, they also improve immunity and digestion.

Benefits of Green Tea

One of the distinctive factors of green tea is the presence of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). It is a potent antioxidant and has multiple health benefits. It is so abundant that a single cup of green tea can contain 50-100mg of EGCG.

Some of the common benefits of EGCG are:

• Lower cancer risk – EGCG can slow down or completely inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
• Lower blood sugar – Various studies have claimed that a regular intake of EGCG lowers blood sugar by improving insulin resistance.
• Reduces stress – EGCG has a calming effect and is known to reduce stress.
• Improves heart health – EGCG improves heart health by lowering cholesterol and reducing hypertension.

However, a regular intake of green tea supported by a healthy lifestyle is important to get all the health benefits.

Benefits of Black Tea

Black tea is often assumed to be the ‘unhealthier’ option. However, it also contains many health benefits. It contains theaflavins which also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Theaflavins are also known to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Another feature of black tea is that it contains more caffeine than green tea and as a result, is suited for energizing.

Which one should you choose?

Both green and black tea contain similar health benefits. Green tea has more antioxidants and also has a calming effect on the body. Contrastingly, black tea is an energy booster and contains more caffeine.

So, if you have caffeine sensitivity and like a light drink, green tea is the optimum choice. But, if you like strong flavour and an extra boost in the morning, black tea is perfect for you.

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