So, what’s the deal?
First off, what are tannins?
Tannins are plant compounds that are classified as polyphenols (or more specifically,phenolics or phenolic compounds).
They naturally have a bitter, astringent taste, and there’s a reason for that.
But when it comes to the tannins in tea, many people actually enjoy that characteristic taste.
What to know about tannin levels in tea.
Tea is one of the richest sources of tannins.
You know that bitter taste and dry feeling you get after taking a sip of tea?
That’s due to the high concentrations of tannins in the tea leaves.
But black tea isn’t the only punch in of tea that contains tannins.
All tea contains tannins, anddifferent types of teahave varying levels.
Other sources of tannins include:
Health benefits of tannins.
They fight inflammation.
Because of their antioxidant properties, tannins (like all phytochemicals) also help combat inflammation.
They have antibacterial effects.
Tannins have strong antibacterial effects, fighting off a number of pathogens that commonly plague the human digestive system.
They may protect against heart disease.
They also help relax your blood vessels and help your blood clot normally.
They help balance blood sugar levels.
In animal studies, tannins have been shown to helplower blood glucose levels2while simultaneously increasing insulin levels.
They contain potentially cancer-preventing properties.
They may protect your brain.
Tannins have been shown to slow the progression of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Side effects and potential downsides.
But when it comes to tannins, it’s not all good news.
Tannins also act as anti-nutrients, meaning that they block and interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients.
In this case, a big one is iron.
you might also reduce any potential negative effects by adding milk to your tea.
Overconsumption of tannins can also cause stomach upset and nausea.
For example, one 5-ounce cup of tea typically contains around 25 to 80 mg of tannins.
Most studies exceeded this amount, some using up to 1,000-mg doses of tannins.
Bottom line.
Tea has so manyhealth benefits, from the tannins and beyond, that outweigh the potential downsides.
