双语：关于红茶你可能不知道的11大益处

　　Have you ever heard people criticizing your choices in having caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee? Though over-indulging in anything will have negative consequences, having an extra cup of black tea might not be as bad as you might have imagined.

　　你选择像茶和咖啡这样含有咖啡因的饮料时，别人有没有批评过你？虽然过度沉迷于任何东西都会有负作用， 但多喝杯红茶可能没有你想象中的那么糟。

　　Personally I love my perfect cup of tea. It’s how I like to begin my day—not to help me wake up, but rather I like to enjoy a tasteful cup of bliss first thing in the morning. When it comes to herbal, green or black tea, different things suit different people and a doctor’s recommendation should never be overlooked, but for most of us, indulging in a cup or two of black tea might in fact be a healthy life choice, as some studies have shown.

　　就个人而言，我喜欢一杯完美的茶。我喜欢这样开始我的一天——喝茶不是为了清醒，而是因为我喜欢早晨做的第一件事就是品味那一杯的幸福。 到底是喝草药茶、绿茶还是红茶好呢？其实不同的茶适合不同的人， 而且绝不能忽视医生的建议。有研究表明，对于大部分人而言， 喝上一杯或两杯红茶实际上是种健康的生活选择。

　　Both green and black tea are made from a shrub called Camellia Sinesis, but with different processing methods. In addition to the leaves being withered, rolled and heated, black tea leaves are fermented before the final heating process.

　　绿茶和红茶都是用灌木茶树的叶子做成的， 只不过它们的加工方法不同。红茶除了要萎凋、揉切、加热外，在最后一道加热工序前还需要进行发酵。

　　Below are 11 health benefits of having a cup or two of black tea on a regular basis, though it should be noted that it is recommended that black tea should be consumed without any additives like milk or sugar to truly harness its benefits.

　　下面是经常喝一两杯红茶的十一种益处。不过，要注意的是，喝红茶时最好不要添加像牛奶或糖之类的物质，只有这样它才能充分发挥出自己的益处。

　　1. Oral Health　　口腔卫生

　　Studies funded by the Tea Trade Health Research Association suggests that black tea reduces plaque formation as well as restricts bacteria growth that promotes the formation of cavities and tooth decays. Polyphenols found in black tea kill and surpass cavity-causing bacteria as well as hinder the growth of bacterial enzymes that form the sticky-like material that binds plaque to our teeth.

　　由茶叶贸易健康研究协会资助的研究表明，红茶能够减少牙菌斑的形成，并能抑制促进龋齿和蛀牙形成的细菌生长。红茶中的多酚类物质能够消灭并抑制导致蛀牙的细菌，并能阻止细菌酶的生长。细菌酶会形成一种粘状物，使我们的牙齿上有牙菌斑。

　　2. A Better Heart　　心脏更健康

　　As identified by Arab L. et al. in their 2009 research paper called “ Green and black tea consumption and risk of stroke: a meta-analysis”, it is seen that regardless of people’s country of origin, individuals who consume 3 or more cups of tea had a 21% lower risk of a stroke than people who consume less than 1 cup of green or black tea per day.

　　Arab L.等人在2009年的一篇名为《饮用绿茶和红茶及中风的风险：整合分析》的研究论文中指出，无论是哪个国家的人，每天喝三杯或三杯以上绿茶或红茶的人，和喝少于一杯茶的人相比，中风几率减少21%。

　　3. Antioxidants　　抗氧化剂

　　Black tea contains polyphenols, which are also antioxidants that help block DNA damage associated with tobacco or other toxic chemicals. These antioxidants are different from those obtained from fruits and vegetables and therefore as a regular part of our diet they can provide additional benefits towards a healthy lifestyle.

　　红茶中含有茶多酚，茶多酚也是抗氧化剂，能够阻止烟草或其他有毒化学物质所造成的DNA损伤。这些抗氧化剂和水果、蔬菜中的抗氧化剂不同，因此作为日常饮食的一部分，它们可以提供额外的益处，让我们的生活方式更加健康。

　　4. Cancer Prevention　　预防癌症

　　Though a lot more research is required to confidently suggest cancer prevention techniques, some research over the years suggests that antioxidants like polyphenol and catechins in tea may help prevent some types of cancer. It has been suggested that women who drink black tea regularly have a lower chance of ovarian cancer than their counterparts.

　　虽然要想明确地提出预防癌症的技术还需要更多的研究，但最近几年的研究表明，茶叶中包含的茶多酚和儿茶素这样的抗氧化剂有助于预防某些类型的癌症。有研究表明，经常喝红茶的女性比其他女性得卵巢癌的几率要低。

　　5. Healthy Bones　　健康的骨骼

　　It has also been suggested that regular tea drinkers have stronger bones and lower probability of developing arthritis due to the phytochemicals found in tea.

　　也有研究表明，经常喝茶的人有更强壮的骨骼，得关节炎的几率也较低，这归功于茶里面的植物化学物质。

　　6. Lower Risk of Diabetes　　降低糖尿病的风险

　　Based on a research study conducted of elderly people living in the Mediterranean islands it was discovered that people that had been consuming black tea on a long-term basis on a moderate level (i.e 1-2 cups a day) had a 70% lower chance of having or developing type 2 diabetes.

　　对生活在地中海岛上老人的一项研究发现， 长期适度喝红茶（一天1-2杯）的人发展成2型糖尿病的几率会降低70%。

　　7. Stress Relief　　减轻压力

　　We all are aware and well experienced about the calming and relaxing benefits of black tea. Not only does it help slow you down after a long day, studies show that the amino acid L-theanine found in black tea can help you relax and concentrate better. Black tea has also been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol when consumed in moderate amounts on a regular basis.

　　我们都知道，也都感受过红茶镇静和放松的效果。研究表明，在度过了漫长的一天后，红茶不仅能帮助你休息，红茶中的氨基酸L-茶氨酸还可以有助于你放松，并能让你更好地集中精力。研究也已证明，定期适量饮用红茶可以减少应激激素皮质醇的水平。

　　8. Better Immune System　　更好的免疫系统

　　Black tea contains alkylamine antigens that help boost our immune response. In addition it also contains tannins that have the ability to fight viruses and hence keep us protected from influenza, stomach flu and other such commonly found viruses in our everyday lives.

　　红茶中含有烷基胺抗原，能够有助于提升免疫反应。此外，它还含有单宁酸，具有抗病毒的能力，能保护我们远离流感、肠胃炎和其他日常生活中经常发现的病毒。

　　9. Healthy Digestive Tract　　健康消化食道

　　In addition to improving your immune system, tannins also have a therapeutic effect on gastric and intestinal illnesses and also help decrease digestive activity.

　　除了能改善我们的免疫系统之外，单宁酸对胃和肠道疾病也有一定的治疗作用，并能有助于减低消化活动。

　　10. Increased Energy　　增加能量

　　Unlike other drinks that have a relatively higher caffeine content, the low amounts found in tea can help enhance blood flow to the brain without over-stimulating the heart. It also stimulates the metabolism and respiratory system, as well as the heart and the kidneys.

　　和咖啡因含量相对较高的饮料不同， 茶叶中咖啡因的含量较低，有助于增强血液流向大脑，同时不会过度刺激心脏。它也能刺激新陈代谢和呼吸系统，以及心脏和肾。

　　11. Happiness Factor　　幸福因素

　　If a perfect cup of tea makes you smile and lets your heart indulge a little, then what could possibly be the harm?

　　如果一杯完美的茶能让你微笑，让你的心稍微放松一下，那还有什么坏处呢？