Autumn is a suitable season for drinking tea, which helps to reduce dryness and quench thirst, and also has the effect of cultivating the body and mind. There are many types of tea, the most common of which are green tea and black tea. There has always been a lot of discussion about which is better, black tea or green tea. The nutritional components of black tea and green tea are similar, both containing caffeine, antioxidants, and other important plant nutrients, but they also have their own nutritional characteristics. Today, let's analyze the similarities and differences between black tea and green tea. Black tea undergoes fermentation and oxidation, while green tea is rapidly heat-treated. Black tea undergoes thorough oxidation and fermentation, resulting in a unique and rich flavor. During the oxidation process, the leaves are exposed to air, which deepens their color and enhances their flavor. Then, the leaves are heated and dried, crushed to make black tea. This processing process results in black tea having a darker color, a richer flavor, and a slightly bitter taste. Green tea uses tender, unfermented leaves. These leaves are quickly heat-treated, processed, and ground without the need for oxidation. Compared to black tea, green tea has a much milder taste. Both black tea and green tea are beneficial for cardiovascular health and can help enhance brain function. Studies have shown that the plant nutrients contained in black tea and green tea can support cardiovascular and metabolic health. Tea also has anti-aging, anti diabetes and anti-cancer effects. Their common benefits mainly include the following aspects: 1. Protecting the heart. Both black tea and green tea contain polyphenols, and flavonoids are a subgroup of polyphenols. The types and quantities of flavonoids contained in the two types of tea are different. Green tea contains more EGCG (the most effective active ingredient in tea polyphenols, belonging to catechins), while black tea is a rich source of theaflavins. After research by relevant scholars, it has been found that flavonoids in green tea and black tea can have a protective effect on the heart. Both types of tea are equally effective in preventing the formation of vascular plaques, as they also help lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. Cardiologists at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University found that compared to people who drink less than 1 cup of tea per day, those who drink 1-3 cups of tea per day have a 19% and 36% lower risk of heart attack and stroke, respectively. Similarly, nutritionists at King's College London have found that drinking at least 3 cups of tea per day can reduce the risk of heart disease by 11%. 2. Enhance brain function. These two types of tea contain caffeine, which stimulates the nervous system by blocking the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine. It also helps to release neurotransmitters that enhance emotions, such as dopamine and serotonin. Therefore, drinking black tea and green tea can enhance alertness and mood, accelerate reaction time, and improve short-term memory. Green tea and black tea contain theanine, which is not present in coffee. Theanine can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, triggering the release of an inhibitory neurotransmitter called gamma aminobutyric acid in the brain, causing a relaxed yet alert state. Meanwhile, theanine also promotes the release of mood enhancing hormones (dopamine and serotonin). Theanine can balance the effects of caffeine, and the combination of these two substances can have a synergistic effect. Pharmacologists at the University of Szeged in Hungary have found that people who consume both theanine and caffeine have stronger attention than those who only consume one. The unique benefits of black tea: 1. Weight loss. Researchers from the Tea Research Institute of Zhejiang University published research results in the journal "Molecules" showing that the polyphenols contained in black tea are more effective in promoting weight loss than those contained in green tea. It should be noted that most of this study used animal models, which means that its benefits to humans cannot be inferred. However, even considering its low calorie and sugar free characteristics, it can still help people lose weight to some extent. 2. Anti inflammatory and anti diabetes A review published in the International Journal of Health Sciences by biochemists from the medical school of Qasim University in Saudi Arabia made a more extensive investigation on the beneficial effects of black tea, pointing out that it has anti-inflammatory and anti diabetes properties. Although green tea also has anti-inflammatory effects, black tea has a higher content of theaflavins, which makes its antioxidant properties stronger. Tea polyphenols help neutralize free radicals in the human body, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting heart health. The unique benefits of green tea: 1. Anti cancer. A Polish medicinal chemist published a study in the International Journal of Molecular Science, exploring the important role of catechins in green tea in preventing cancer. It can neutralize free nitrogen and free radicals, reduce inflammation, induce cancer cell death, while not affecting healthy cells. The role of polyphenols contained in green tea in preventing the growth of cancer cells and reducing cancer risk is reflected in prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer and other fields. Although green tea cannot replace chemotherapy and other drug therapies, it can be used as an adjuvant therapy to prevent and treat diseases. 2. Sports educators from Liaoning Normal University have found that mice drinking beverages containing EGCG have longer swimming time before feeling fatigued compared to mice drinking water. 3. Protecting the Liver: Biochemists from the State University of New Jersey in the United States have found that consuming EGCG in mice on a high-fat diet can reduce the development of fatty liver. Both black tea and green tea have relatively low calories and different nutritional components, but the difference is not significant. Both black tea and green tea have low calories and contain a considerable amount of caffeine. One cup of black tea contains a small amount of natural form sodium (less than 5 milligrams) and 26 milligrams of caffeine. In contrast, one cup of green tea contains a small amount of protein (0.25 grams) and slightly more caffeine (29 milligrams). Green tea also contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, manganese, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6. So, which type of tea is healthier? It's actually difficult to determine the winner or loser. Most importantly, both types of tea have benefits, with little nutritional difference, and are easily incorporated into a healthy and balanced diet. The type of tea one likes to drink depends entirely on personal preference. (New Press) (Author Liu Chunhua is the Deputy Chief Physician of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department at Mapo Town Health Center in Shunyi District, Beijing)