It was by chance I stumbled upon white tea, while reading a news report in Science Daily. I know about green and black tea never heart about white tea. I went on to read the report, interesting since drinking white tea will reduce the chances of getting cancer, scientifically proven. This created an urge to know more about white tea.
Well it is half pouched egg so to speak, basically white tea is in comparison with other black or green is less processed. It contains more nutrients and chemical compounds making it the ultimate health tea. White tea is made from beautiful silvery buds and select leaves which have been steamed and dried, leaving the leaves virtually “fresh. White tea the rarest and most expensive varieties of tea, is produced almost totally in China. White Tea plant belongs to the same species (Camellia sinensis) as other tea plants, but has a higher percentage of buds to leaves. The buds are covered by silvery hairs, which give whitish appearance.
Sip of History
As many of us know tea was discovered in China by emperor Shen Nung around 5000 years ago while traveling. As the story goes since water supply was fouled emperor ordered water to be boiled before consumption, windblown some leaves into the pot and emperor decided to leave it and he drank the brew. Tea was born. White tea’s popularity in china over the centuries went up and down but was not so popular outside till recent years. Interest in white tea was rekindled due to its health benefits.
Health Benefits
There are different varieties of tea available in market, all of them came from same plant species, but there are slight variations based on process so are health benefits. White tea is the least process hence benefits are more.
Scientific studies shown white tea contains compounds that act as antioxidants (catechins). These compounds will mope up the free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are dangerous which cause multiple damages to our body, forcing our body to age faster and damage DNA.
Research shown white tea virtually stopped activities of enzymes that breakdown elastin and collagen which lead to wrinkles and ageing. Again these enzymes along with oxidants are linked with inflammatory illness such as rheumatoid arthritis. White tea is known to have strongest potential against fighting cancer. White tea contains a class of chemicals called polyphenols. White tea protects against a variety of cancers, including lung, prostate and breast cancer due to antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate.
Clinical trials, (University of Geneva & Birmingham) indicated white tea raises metabolic rates and speeds up fat oxidation, increase insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Catechin compound in white tea increase thermogenesis and so increase energy expenditure.
Drinking white tea enhances metal alertness, amino acid L-theanine in tea plant absorbed by small intestine and cross blood- brain barrier and effects neurotransmitters and increasing alpha brain-wave activity, resulting in a more alert state of mind.
There are more benefits of drinking white tea as listed below:
Benefits to immune system, shown to have increased disease fighting capacity of Tcells
Drinking black or white tea will reduce the risk of getting diabetics.
50% Reduce risk of getting cognitive impairment possibly due to antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate. White Tea can lower the levels of stress hormone cortisol in body. Control inflammatory bowel disease, possibly due to phenolics in tea. Again phenolics can control bacterial growth that causes bad breath. Flavonoids in tea can limit damage to body because of excessive iron intake. Reduce risk of stroke as much as 21% (person drinking 3 cups of tea) also seems to indicate lower blood pressure and reduce stiffness of artery.
There are some non-beneficial effects of tea I need to mention as well.
Tea plat absorbs fluoride faster than any other plants. Fluoride is not good for our bodies.
Another metal it absorbs is Aluminum which is again not good for our bodies.
Tea contains caffeine. I don’t think anyone who doesn’t know about caffeine.
Oxalates present in tea, overconsumption can lead to kidney stone.
Chemical tannins present in tea could promote e risk of esophageal cancer.
Remember when you add milk to your tea it will reduce or block the beneficial effects. Adding citrus such as lemon to black tea may be of beneficial.
So when you are making a cup of tea next time make sure to opt for white tea.
