Black tea is such a common household staple that many people forget it is an almost uniquely healthy drink.
Black tea has antioxidant properties which can help remove free radicals that cause cell damage from the body.
Some studies have even found that the theaflavins in black tea reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity and can even lower cholesterol.
In addition to being very healthy, black tea is economical and easy to make. It is beloved by people across the globe for its rich, delicious flavor.
However, in order to get the maximum benefits and enjoyment from black tea, it is important to drink it at the appropriate times.
When is the best time to drink black tea?
Black tea contains caffeine and so should be enjoyed in the morning or early afternoon. Many people like to drink it before working out because it acts as a stimulant. It is best to drink black tea after meals to aid digestion. Try to drink black tea within six months of purchasing it.
Drink black tea in the morning and early afternoon
We all have our morning drink of choice and most of us like to opt for something that contains caffeine.
Caffeine is a stimulant that increases activity in the brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of cortisol and adrenaline.
Most people report feeling refreshed and focused after consuming a small dose of caffeine.
So, whether we prefer coffee, green tea, or black tea, many of us feel we need that extra little daily energy boost to get us going.
It might surprise you to know that black tea is not actually the tea with the highest caffeine content! In fact, Japanese matcha takes the cake when it comes to highly caffeinated teas, with black tea a close second.
Containing high levels of caffeine makes something an excellent morning drink, and, of course, a pretty terrible evening drink.
Having a cup of black tea in the morning can make you feel ready to seize the day. You might even opt for another cup as a mid-morning treat or to give you another boost of energy after lunch.
That said, you should be mindful of drinking caffeinated drinks too late in the day. The general medical advice is to stop consuming caffeine at least six hours before going to bed.
You should also be mindful not to consume too many cups of black tea a day.
When is the best time to drink black tea?
One answer to this question might be, “When you haven’t already had too many cups of it!”
Drinking too much black tea can cause you to feel jittery, anxious, and restless.
If you cherish the experience of drinking a hot cup of black tea but want to avoid the caffeine crash and the jitters, you can opt for decaffeinated black tea instead.
Drink black tea before working out
Athletes and gym-goers swear by the power of caffeine to improve the quality of a workout.
Many modern athletes rely on BCAA pre-workout formulas. However, there are a good number who still prefer a traditional, naturally caffeinated morning drink, such as coffee, black tea, or green tea.
Drinking a cup of black tea with no milk and sugar in it half an hour before you begin a workout can cause you to expend more energy, thereby increasing the value of the workout.
While there is much talk about the metabolism-boosting properties of black tea, one of the most advantageous ways to use tea to aid weight loss, is to use it to improve the quality of your workouts.
Even if all you are doing is walking to work, drinking caffeine before you set off has been shown to boost the vigor of your movements. This causes you to expend more calories and can therefore lead to weight loss over time.
Drink black tea between meals
Despite the fact that many people swear by drinking a “cupper” first thing in the morning, drinking caffeinated drinks on an empty stomach can cause the stomach to feel frustrated.
The answer to the question is black tea alkaline is, no, it is lightly acidic. As a result, consuming black tea before you have had anything to eat can lead to indigestion and feelings of dehydration, acid reflux, and constipation.
In order to avoid these uncomfortable symptoms, make sure you drink your morning brew after you have already had at least a small breakfast.
In addition to helping avoid these uncomfortable symptoms, drinking tea after you have eaten allows you to make full use of the digestive properties of black tea. Black tea helps the body metabolize rich foods and can reduce bloating.
Another, unrelated reason to drink your tea between meals is that consuming tea while you are eating a meal may inhibit the absorption of the minerals and nutrients in your food.
Black tea contains tannins, which belong to a group of compounds known as phenols. These tannins have antioxidant properties that are enormously beneficial.
However, they also like to protect our bodies from harmful compounds by binding with them and preventing our gut from absorbing them.
Unfortunately, they sometimes mistake minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium for harmful elements. They then bind to them and prevent our bodies from absorbing them.
In order to make sure your body can properly absorb the minerals and vitamins in your food, leave at least twenty minutes between meals and a cup of black tea.
If you like drinking your black tea with food because you don’t necessarily like the taste of black tea on its own, try one of these ways to make black tea taste better.
Drink black tea within six months of purchase
Another simple rule to follow when it comes to the question “When is the best time to drink black tea,” is, “As soon as possible after you’ve bought it!”
Have you ever wondered how long loose-leaf tea stays fresh? While your tea may still taste good and will not “go bad” in the way that some other foods do, there is very little benefit to drinking stale, old tea leaves.
Experts recommend consuming both loose leaf and bagged black tea within six months of buying it to ensure you are getting the most out of your tea.