It is no secret that Brits love tea; in fact, it is one of the top things we are known for, and since the 17th century, British people have been one of the world's largest tea consumers.

But besides people just drinking it because it tastes good, dietitians have claimed that one specific tea could actually make you live longer.

Many might assume green tea as for many years the brew has been known for its number of health benefits. However, it's not the one being highlighted in this case.

According to eatingwell.com, Los Angeles-based registered dietitian Vandana Sheth said: "Incorporating black tea into your routine can be an enjoyable and easy way to support longevity and overall health."

But how?

A 2022 study published in the academic medical journal Annals of International Medicine found that among nearly half a million participants, there was a link between higher intake and lower mortality risk.

The study states: "During a median follow-up of 11.2 years, higher tea intake was modestly associated with lower all-cause mortality risk among those who drank two or more cups a day."

It is key to note that the study was observational, meaning the participants' tea intake was self-reported. However, there are other studies that suggest drinking tea may contribute to longevity.

The study also highlighted that the link between the two was "most consistent for those who drank tea without added sugar or added milk."

The high level of antioxidants in black tea makes it stand out from others. These antioxidants have been revealed to help protect against chronic disease and support healthy aging.

Black tea is high specifically in groups of flavonoids called theaflavins and tharubigins that have been linked with benefits for chronic inflammation and disease prevention, which, according to the dietitian "significantly enhance black tea's health promoting properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects."

Now that you know all the benefits, here are a few tips on how to best add black tea to your diet. Vandana Sheth recommends brewing the black tea for three to five minutes to extract more antioxidants.

As the research suggests, try drinking at least two cups, both without sugar - to add some flavour to the tea, try a natural sugar alternative or something like lemon or cinnamon.

Jennifer House, a family dietitian and founder of First Step Nutrition, also recommends drinking black tea in the morning or early afternoon to avoid the caffeine from interfering with sleep.

Whilst foods or drinks cannot determine how long you live, small changes to diets and lifestyles can contribute to a longer and healthier life.