1. Mental Alertness
A cup of Assam black tea is considered to have high levels of caffeine compared to other common beverages. Assam tea contains about 80mg caffeine per 8 fl oz cup, compared to brewed coffee with 100mg of caffeine per 8 fl oz cup (Instant coffee is weaker at about 50mg per 8 fl oz cup). That said, Assam tea has far greater health benefits than the traditional morning cup of coffee people typically drink as a means to wake up! It should be noted that, caffeine, if consumed in large quantities, can cause side effects, such as headaches, nervousness, heart burn, and irritability. It is advised to drink fewer than five cups of any caffinated beverage per day to avoid these adverse effects.
2. Cancer Prevention
The phenolic compounds in Assam tea have antioxidant properties which help to reduce the damage of reactive oxygen and nitrogen on your cells. Antioxidants help enhance the immune system and lessen the risk for cell damage which in turn can lead to cancer. In fact, Black tea may be effective in lowering the risk of ovarian cancer.
3. Cardiovascular Health
According to a 2010 article published in “Molecular Aspects of Medicine,” flavonoids from either green or black tea prevent the buildup of plaque inside the arteries, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. MedlinePlus rates black tea as likely effective for reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries, especially in women. Also, some studies suggests that drinking black tea is also associated with a lower risk of heart attack.
4. Decreased Risk of Parkinson’s Disease
According to MedlinePlus, consuming 124 to 208 milligrams of caffeine per day -- about two to four cups of Assam tea – for men, significantly reduces the risk of Parkinson’s. For women, one to four cups of tea seemed to provide the greatest risk reduction.
We've included Assam tea as the main ingredient in our Dawn blend - the perfect blend for... yes you guessed it: Dawn :) Wake up with this invigorating and energizing chai blend, and rest assured you're doing your body some good!
Blog post by Shooka Faye.