Tea is consumed by about two-thirds of the world’s population and stands next only to water in its popularity.
Lipton Black Tea comes loaded with antioxidants, cleansing the body of cancer-causing free radicals, and is low on calories making it a win-win solution for tea lovers.
Excess of anything is bad for our body. Consuming in moderation is the key to living a healthy life and bolstering our immunity.
Although Lipton Black Tea seems like an all-rounder, the high caffeine content and presence of pesticides on leaves, and disruption in the absorption of iron may be concerning factors if you consume tea in excess.
Table of Contents
Lipton Black Tea ingredients
Lipton Black Tea consists of Orange pekoe and Pekoe cut black tea. Both of them represent the grade of tea leaves used to make black tea. All the black tea is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
In general, Black Tea is usually found to contain the following :
- Polyphenols
- Amino acids
- Enzymes
- Pigments
- Carbohydrates
- Methylxanthines
- Minerals
- Volatiles
Polyphenols are plant-based compounds that have antioxidant properties. Flavonoids are the most common polyphenol compounds found in tea leaves, imparting the black color and robust aromas to oxidized tea.
Tea leaves contain amino acids which impart tea its characteristic sweetness and brothiness.
Polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase are enzymes responsible for the brown color of tea leaves when oxidation takes place.
Chlorophyll gives the tea leaves their black color on oxidation and Carotenoids give that extra dash of flavor to the tea.
Plants store energy in the form of carbohydrates which are generated during photosynthesis. The sweetness of the end product tea is due to the presence of carbohydrates.
Caffeine is the main methylxanthine present in tea leaves which gives its distinct bitter taste to the tea.
Minerals found in the tea leaves include fluorine, aluminum, manganese, arsenic, potassium, etc. These minerals when consumed in excess can cause toxicity.
Volatiles usually enter our olfactory system via the air and are responsible for the aroma. Volatiles may be either present in tea leaves or sourced from other products during processing.
Lipton black tea benefits
- High antioxidant content
Lipton Black Tea has been found to contain flavonoids that are powerful antioxidants that help repair damage to the cells in our body.
- Reduces risk of Heart Diseases
Lipton Black Tea consists of antioxidants like flavonoids, flavanols, and theaflavins which restore coronary artery dysfunction in heart patients. They repair the arteries and blood vessels which in turn reduces the occurrence of strokes and cardiovascular problems.
- Relieves Stress and Improves Focus
Caffeine triggers alertness and improves focus while the amino acids increase alpha brain waves, reducing stress, anxiety and bringing a feeling of relaxation.
- Reduces Risk of Diabetes
Flavonoids are responsible for reducing glycemic index when used for a long period of time. The antidiabetic activity supports the regulation of insulin signaling and secretion.
Lipton black tea calories
Lipton black tea is a zero-calorie beverage. It is a perfect drink for weight watchers owing to its no-calorie content.
Does Lipton black tea have caffeine?
Lipton Black Tea has around 55mg of caffeine per 8fl oz per serving. The amount of caffeine is lesser than coffee, but the highest among all the tea types.
Pros
- Makes a person alert and releases adrenaline which gives a rush of energy.
- Helps stay awake
- Helps improve gut health by releasing the gastrin hormone which has a laxative effect on the stomach.
Cons
- Excess caffeine may cause anxiety and nervousness.
- Too much consumption could disturb sleep patterns and cause insomnia
- Can cause diarrhea in some individuals.
Caffeine has varied effects on different individuals; similar quantities of it may be healthy to some and detrimental to others.
Does Lipton Black Tea have antioxidants?
Lipton Black Tea comes loaded with antioxidants which makes it a super healthy beverage. Polyphenols act as free radical scavengers by removing the free radicals from the body tissues and mending any damage caused by them.
Flavonoids, flavonols and theaflavins are the most common antioxidants found in Lipton Black Tea. They are also anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial in character.
Does Lipton Black Tea have sugar?
Lipton Black Tea consists of no added sugar. Unsweetened tea has no calories making it a healthy alternative sweetened sugary drink. It is also a good option for people with diabetes as it does not spike blood sugar levels. Polyphenol compounds in black tea, especially epigallocatechin gallate, tannins, and theaflavins have been found to increase insulin levels.
Do Lipton Black Tea Bags have Sodium?
Lipton Black Tea is naturally free of sodium. Too much sodium has been linked with strokes and cardiovascular problems. Since it is free of sodium, as well as fats and sugar, Lipton Black Tea makes for a healthy and viable option for people with chronic diseases.
Does Lipton Black Tea have pesticides?
Several toxic elements seep into the tea via the soil. Toxins like fluoride, lead, arsenic, and aluminum are the most damaging.
If the soil where tea is grown is accumulated with toxins, then they are most likely to seep into the tea leaves as well. Also, the water used in irrigation may have high fluoride content that might increase the concentration of fluoride in tea leaves.
The paper used for teabags is found to contain an element called epichlorohydrin which, in some instances, is found to be carcinogenic. The long-brewing process in warm water makes these toxins flow out of tea bags into the tea making their way into the human body.
Does Lipton black tea have tannic acid?
Lipton Black Tea has been found to have the highest content of tannins or polyphenolic compounds. Tannins are often confused with tannic acid. Tannic acid is a type of tannin but it is extracted from oak trees and not tea leaves.
Do Lipton Black Tea Bags contain plastic?
Lipton Black Tea Bags are made with unbleached hemp which is a natural fiber and is completely compostable. But the tea bags contain food-grade plastics that are not entirely recyclable.
Do Lipton black tea bags have microplastics?
Since the Lipton Black Tea Bags contain food-grade plastics like polypropylene, billions of macro and nano-sized plastic particles are released whenever teabags are brewed in hot water. To answer the question, yes Lipton Black tea bags do contain microplastics.
Is Lipton Black Tea safe during pregnancy?
Lipton Black Tea comes loaded with antioxidants and is an unsweetened natural beverage. However, excessive consumption of tea could cause insomnia, anxiety, and harm to the fetus due to the high caffeine content. Also the presence of pesticides and plastic is a worrying point.
So, it would be sensible to check the quality of the tea leaves and drink in moderation if you are pregnant.
Is Lipton Black Tea ok for kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented drink made from sugar, tea, honey, yeast, and bacteria. The yeast and bacteria eat up most of the sugar and give an unsweetened fermented drink that is high on probiotics. Lipton Black Tea makes for an excellent choice for brewing Kombucha as it contains no added sugar, and is loaded with antioxidants. It also has a characteristic aroma and flavor with a dark rich color.
Does Lipton Black Tea help lose weight?
Lipton Black Tea is an unsweetened drink having zero fat and cholesterol which is beneficial for people who want to lose weight. The flavonoids found in black tea lower visceral fats and triglycerides. Regular consumption reduces gut bacteria related to obesity and increases gut bacteria related to lean body mass.
However, consumption of black tea should be in moderation as the high caffeine content and tannins can play havoc with mood and gut health.
Does Lipton Black Tea help you sleep?
Lipton black tea has the opposite effect on sleep. It makes the brain more alert and relaxed. This can be attributed to the high caffeine content and amino acids which work in tandem to make the mind alert and active.
Is Lipton Black Tea good for sore throat and cold?
Lipton Black Tea is considered to be a good choice for soothing sore throats. The tannins in the beverage are anti-inflammatory and contain antimicrobial properties that help reduce inflammation and kill microbes causing infection. Also, the aromas rising from the tea may help clear up airways and reduce coughing.
Is Lipton Black Tea good for acid reflux?
Lipton Black Tea has a pH between 4 to 5.5 and anything under a pH scale of 4 is considered to be quite acidic. It is less acidic as compared to coffee but due to its high caffeine content, it may cause acid reflux.
Is Lipton Black Tea good for high blood pressure?
Lipton Black Tea comes loaded with flavonoids that improve vascular health by repairing the damage done to the arteries and removing the free radicals. Studies now show that regular intake of black tea results in lowered systolic and diastolic BP.
Does Lipton Black Tea stain teeth?
Lipton Black Tea has a high tannin content. The tannin compounds have an innate tendency to stain teeth and gums. They also have a higher affinity to the protein pellicle of teeth, which means these stains are more likely to stick.
In conclusion, the takeaway is that Lipton Black Tea comes with a lot of health benefits owing to its antioxidant, low sodium, no sugar, and no fat content. It provides benefits not only to people suffering from chronic disease but also to weight watchers.
The only worrying point is the number of pesticides that are usually not regulated and become toxic to the human body and the high caffeine content.
Consuming black tea in moderation is the key to a healthy life.
References:
- https://www.lipton.com/us/en/our-teas/black-iced-tea-sweet.html
- https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/products/048500201596-LiptonIcedTeaUnsweetened/
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