Red tea has important benefits and properties. Know its most important qualities, side effects, contraindications and how to prepare it.
- What is red tea and what is it for? It is a natural drink that is prepared by infusing the leaves of Camellia sinensis, ideal for its slimming benefits, with a characteristic reddish color.
- What is red tea for weight loss? Undoubtedly Pu Erh Tea, a variety of red tea well known for its qualities in weight loss diets.
- Its easy preparation makes it an ideal drink to drink at any time of the day.
It is said that the root of red tea arose from something unexpected, unexpected, since the intention was another, and precisely in it was not the idea of creating this very important plant. As you surely know by now, especially if you read some of our previously published articles about red tea, and among others, Pu erh red tea is produced in Yunnan, and is obtained from a certainly millenary practice that has been carried out since the beginning. From the Han dynasty (approximately 200 BC).
Not surprisingly, red tea is undoubtedly one of the most appreciated varieties in China, which is why this tea is known as the “emperor’s tea”.
For this reason, red tea has been consumed in this country since certainly immemorial times, and has important benefits and properties for the health of those who drink it daily.
What is red tea?
The red tea is like in the West know the pu-erh tea, whose name comes precisely from the region Pu’er Yunnan (China), where original and traditionally comes. For hundreds of years only the Chinese nobility could enjoy this variety of tea. However, today it is a very widespread tea, although in fact its consumption in this country is usually rather rare.
Traditionally, red tea is made with leaves from the Sunshine Withering Antirhea Chinensis tree, an old tree – a variety of Camellia sinensis – that offers broad tea leaves, and natural not only from southwest China but also from border regions with Vietnam. Tibet and Burma.
Its mature leaves are covered with fine hairs, which after being stored and kept for years (thus producing their characteristic fermentation), acquire darker tones but at the same time a milder flavor, as a result of their age.
In fact, after harvesting the fresh leaves from the tree, the fermentation process can take anywhere from 2 to 60 years. This fermentation is usually carried out in a traditional way as it was done centuries ago in bamboo barrels, which helps the leaves reach that characteristic reddish color.
The wonderful benefits of red tea
Helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides
Do you have high cholesterol? If so, you will probably find red tea a good ally, especially if you consume it regularly (and, obviously, never in excessive amounts).
The reason is that it is a natural drink with interesting benefits in case of having high levels of fats in the blood, not only cholesterol but also triglycerides. This was observed in a scientific study carried out by the University of Yunnan, in which it was found that those people who drank 15 grams of red tea daily for 3 months saw how the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides were reduced, while good cholesterol increased.
Useful for slimming and losing weight
It is well known that red tea is commonly used in slimming diets, precisely for its slimming qualities. In fact, it is a recognized fat burner, with truly effective benefits.
For example, a scientific study was carried out at Tainan University Hospital some time ago to inquire about the alleged slimming and fat-burning properties of red tea. Thus, it was found that the people who had participated in the study lost more than 15% of average body fat.
Improves digestion
Red tea helps the secretion of gastric acids to increase, a quality that translates into accelerating the metabolism of those foods that have been consumed and subsequently digested. Therefore, it is useful to facilitate and improve digestion.
This quality increases if the red tea is taken half an hour after meals, which in turn will help the liver work better, and its ability to filter fats is much greater.
Properties of red tea, a summary
- It has diuretic and antibiotic properties.
- Helps regulate intestinal transit, cholesterol and metabolism.
- Among other aspects, it is known that red tea can be a good helper for those who have the goal of losing weight, mainly because it effectively helps reduce fat levels in the body.
- Like green tea, it has significant antioxidant activity, in turn having cardiovascular benefits.
- It helps to increase the defenses and also improves our immune system.
- Useful to prevent depression, by increasing the activity of our nervous system.
Side effects of red tea
- It contains caffeine and theine, so in certain people, or in excessive doses, it can cause insomnia and nervousness.
- Its consumption is not recommended in pregnant women.
- May slightly increase blood pressure.
- Mixed with milk, it prevents the proper absorption of antioxidants, so necessary for our body.
- Reduces iron absorption.
Main contraindications of red tea: when it is not appropriate to take it
Like any tea, it contains caffeine, although in less quantity than coffee or green tea. It also contains theine. Both are exciting substances, which in certain people (or consumed excessively), can cause insomnia or nervousness.
They can also promote a slight increase in blood pressure, so those who suffer from hypertension should avoid taking this drink until their levels are within a normal figure.
It is popular for red tea to be mixed with milk. However, it seems that this is not entirely correct, since it is known that in this sense milk can prevent the correct absorption of antioxidants.
It is also known to reduce iron absorption, so it is not recommended for people with anemia. While excessive consumption can produce hepatotoxicity (4).
How to prepare red tea correctly:
The truth is that preparing any tea is very simple. However, to do it well (that is, correctly) it is very important to take into account several things. On the one hand, keep in mind what is the variety of tea that we are going to drink. On the other hand, knowing that each variety has its appropriate infusion time and a certain temperature.
Thus, in the case of red tea, it is essential not to exceed a temperature of 95 ºC (the ideal is to always keep it between 90 to 95 ºC), and not to exceed 3 minutes of infusion.
But let’s go step by step. You just have to heat the kettle with a little hot water. To do this, pour hot water into the kettle and cover it. Meanwhile, put water in a saucepan and heat it, checking that the temperature does not exceed 95 ºC. When you notice that the kettle is hot, remove the water, put the amount you want of red tea in the filter of the kettle, close the lid and pour the hot water inside.
Wait for the red tea to infuse for 3 minutes. And, finally, remove the filter with the red tea leaves, leave the drink inside the kettle, and serve it in cups. You can already enjoy it.
