The Extraordinary Benefits Of Drinking White Tea
Why drink white tea? For us, the number one on the list of white tea benefits is enjoyment. An intentional moment with a warm cup of delicate, elegant Bai Mudan brings a sense of peace and clarity all its own. Yet it would be remiss not to mention the other significant – and yes, extraordinary – benefits of white tea. Feel free to put the kettle on, settle into a comfy spot and join us while we explore the many reasons to love this special tea.
White Tea Stimulates Lipolysis & Metabolism
In addition to inhibiting and mobilizing fat, white tea also helps in stimulating lipolysis. Lipolysis is a process that involves the burning of fat in the body. So, by drinking white tea, one can burn the excess fat in the body. This leads to loss of extra weight and attaining normal body weight.
Being a rich source of antioxidants, white tea helps in stimulating the metabolic activities of the body. When metabolism is improved, one may lose some extra pounds.
Has A Positive Effect In Pregnancy
There is some evidence, specifically from a Scottish study, suggesting that the antioxidants in White Tea can offer cell protection from oxidative damage during pregnancy.
However, there are some health concerns worth noting before drinking this beverage while pregnant.
Namely, its caffeine content might pose a risk to unborn babies. This is because theyre unable to metabolise caffeine like the mother.
Furthermore, according to a 2007 article published in Planta Medica, the EGCG in White Tea can inhibit folic acid intake, a B vitamin that helps prevent congenital disabilities. If you have any concerns, its paramount you talk to a doctor.
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Linked To Lower Rates Of Parkinson’s Disease
In a March 2019 Neurology Asia systematic review and meta-analysis, drinking tea was associated with a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a nervous system disorder that affects a person’s movement, according to the Mayo Clinic.
But this connection may be stronger when people drink non-black tea, the authors note. More studies that call out the specific type of tea are needed.
Is Good For The Teeth
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White tea contains fluorides, flavonoids, and tannins, all of which could be beneficial to the teeth in various ways. As per a study conducted in India, the fluoride from the tea could be helpful in reducing caries. Tannins inhibit the formation of plaque, and flavonoids prevent the growth of plaque bacteria . There is another point to be noted here white tea does contain tannins, but only in less quantities. Hence, it is not as likely to discolor your teeth as other teas .
White tea was also found to deactivate the viruses and destroy the bacteria that cause cavities in the teeth . In one study, white tea extracts were added to a variety of toothpastes, and according to the findings, the antibacterial and antiviral effects of the toothpastes were enhanced.
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Tea Drinking: You May Not Absorb Enough Iron
The catechins in tea can alter your bodys ability to absorb iron. This means that even if you eat enough high-iron foods, you wont get the benefits and could become anemic. Though most healthy people will not be affected by this, those who have iron deficiency or anemia should abstain from large amounts of green tea, recommends Dr. Kouri. This includes children, pregnant women, and anyone with a history of kidney disease.
Reduces The Risk Of Heart Issues
Let us be very honest here, the majority of us do not happen to have very healthy habits when it comes to protecting our heart. An increase in bad cholesterol in the body is one of the major health issues plaguing our bodies in modern times. White tea contains Polyphenols, which have been found to help relax the blood vessels leading to reduced strain on the heart while pumping the blood, and therefore longevity in the good health of the heart. Polyphenols can prevent the ‘bad cholesterol also known as LDL cholesterol from oxidation, which causes risk and adds to our heart issues. Generous intake of white tea has been shown to lower the risk of heart diseases by as much as 21% as compared to no intake of it at all.
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How To Best Prepare White Tea
When it came to white tea, the antioxidant properties were affected by time but not temperature. It was able to retain most of its antioxidants whether it was steeped with hot water or cold water extractionbut teas steeped for 2 hours had more antioxidants than those which had only steeped for 5 minutes. In other words, the longer it sits, the more antioxidants you’ll sip.
Eat This, Not That! Tip: Steep white tea for two hours in hot or cold water for the absolute max benefits.
Cultivation Of White Tea
White tea is widely believed to be China’s earliest form of tea first produced in the Fuding area of Fujian province, and then spread out to the nearby Shuiji and Zhenghe areas. The earliest types of white teas grown in these areas were silver needle, white peony, and then later Gongmei and Shoumei.
White tea is famous for the fine white pekoe hairs that cover its leaves, it’s green-gray colored leaf buds and pale yellow-green colored tea with a subtle, sweet flavor. Produced without any rolling or roasting, it is unique in its taste and appearance.The base process for manufacturing white tea is as follows:
Fresh tea leaf withering drying white tea
It is made either entirely or mostly from the buds of the tea plant. The buds should look white and fuzzy. This appearance is often referred to as looking downy because it resembles the appearance of fine down feathers. These hairs on the tea buds are a natural mechanism the white tea plant uses to protect its new tea buds from insects.
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Does It Improve Cognitive Function
Researchers in chemical engineering in Spain showed that pre-treatment of specialized striatal brain cells in a laboratory model prevented oxidative damage to the cells but not cell damage caused by other toxic insults . This is definitely interesting but we have to stick to the bottom line here.
Bottom Line
There is no proof that white tea improves cognitive function.
White Tea Vs Green Tea Brewing
You can brew both white and green tea using western or eastern brewing technique. Western brewing technique implies using a simple teapot, strainer or infuser and steeping the leaves in hot water for 2-3 minutes. Usually, one teaspoon will be enough for one cup of water. The best water temperature for both white and green tea is 167°F-185°F.
Eastern brewing technique means using smaller teapot, a higher amount of leaves, a bit hotter water, shorter steeping times and re-steeping the leaves multiple times. For white tea, you can use very hot water and steep the leaves for 20-30 seconds. For green tea, 194°F are likely to ruin the leaves, even if you are steeping them less than usually. The best steeping time for the first infusion is 45-60 seconds. As every tea is different, its impossible to generalise. Try experimenting to get the best flavor.
Unlike some green teas, white tea is not suitable for making tea lattes. You can use both white and green teas for making iced tea or for cold brewing.
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White Tea May Protect Against Bone Loss
Regular consumption of white tea has a protective effect against bone loss, according to a study that involved postmenopausal women who are at a higher risk of bone fracture. Researchers set out to investigate the potential health benefits of white tea on female rats whose ovaries had been removed. After twelve weeks, the researchers measured bone mineral density and found that white tea reduced bone loss and increased a protein hormone called osteocalcin that helps build bone strength and reduce the incidence of fracture.
Benefits Of White Tea
1. Helps You Lose Weight
The caffeine and catechins in white tea help burn fat. A study found that white tea extract was able to stimulate fat breakdown and prevent new fat cells from forming. This was thanks to the EGCG in the tea. Other studies also found that white tea can help boost your metabolism by as much as 5%. This is equivalent to burning an extra 100 calories a day!
2. Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
The catechins in white tea can reduce the risk of heart disease in a number of ways. Studies have shown that these catechins can reduce cholesterol levels, decrease blood pressure and improve the functioning of blood vessels.
3. Good for Teeth
White tea contains polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, all of which help inhibit the formation of plaque on teeth. This tea can also reduce the risk of tooth decay because of the fluoride content it carries naturally. We would not find it shocking if dentists were recommending this tea to their patients on a daily basis.
4. Helps Fight Cancer
White tea can help in the fight against cancer according to many research studies. A study in the Cancer Prevention Research journal found that white teas antioxidants and polyphenols help fight cancer cells. They attack cancer cells but also protect the healthy cells from DNA damage.
5. Helps Fight Colon Cancer
6. Improves Skin
7. Reduce Inflammation
From improving your skin to helping you burn fat, the benefits of white tea will have you craving cup after cup.
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What Are The Benefits Of Drinking White Tea
Many of the customers at our Leather Lane Tea Bar ask to know more about why white tea is good for them. Just like green tea, white tea has many qualities that improve overall health.Fit & Healthy: Thanks to minimal processing, white tea has the most antioxidants of all. These help protect the body from free radicals, fight disease and keep you and your immune system healthy.Anti-ageing: White teas have been shown to help reverse skin damage caused by stress, diet and sun, and can even help the skin to rebuild resistance to stress.
Health Benefits From Drinking White Tea
White tea has come into the forefront ever since it was made known that it has more antioxidants than green tea. And while there is truth to this statement, it is not wholly representative of the chemical properties of a white tea. White tea has more polyphenols including theaflavins and flavonoids compared to green tea. However, the amount of catechins is higher in green tea than in white.
Such findings suggest that white teas have the potential to increase the bioavailability of most health-boosting polyphenols required by the human body. However, in vivo studies are presently inconclusive since bioavailability of many of the antioxidants is extensively affected by the factors like the quality and freshness of tea, methods of preparation of the tea, lifestyle choices, and food habits.
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Linked To Lower Rates Of Osteoporosis
Drinking black tea may benefit your bones. In a November 2018 study in Osteoporosis International, researchers compared a baseline measure of bone mineral density and a measure around a decade later for 20,000 people. They found drinking tea was linked to better scores in women, but not men .
A December 2017 Medicine systematic review and meta-analysis that examined 17 studies came to a similar conclusion: Tea drinkers were less likely to develop osteoporosis.
Drinking black tea was also linked to a lower risk of fracture-related hospitalizations in older women, according to an August 2015 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers credit this effect to the flavonoids in black tea.
Our White Tea Recommendation
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Can Tea Improve Heart Health
All three green, white, and black tea contain some overlapping and some different polyphenols in varying amounts that have numerous benefits to human health. These benefits include modulating the microbiome, helping with hormonal balance, and improving heart health.
Polyphenols are believed to benefit heart health in multiple ways, one being by preventing LDL or bad cholesterol from oxidizing, which is a risk factor for heart disease.
They have also been shown to act as antioxidants and combat the negative effects of oxidative stress or inflammation in the body, which has been linked to a wide variety of diseases including heart disease.
We also have research showing that tea consumption may reduce the risk of high blood cholesterol concentrations and high blood pressure. Studies have also shown that these polyphenols have a preventative effect against atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque, cholesterol, and other material deposits in and on the artery walls. This is problematic as it causes constriction of blood flow and can lead to heart attack or stroke. Atherosclerosis is even the underlying cause of about 50% of deaths in westernized societies.
So Which Is Better White Tea Or Green Tea
Its impossible to say which tea is better. Try both types of tea and experiment with brewing. Both of them may have a positive effect on health and offer real drinking enjoyment.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Its not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every person is different and may react to different herbs and teas differently. Never use teas or herbs to treat serious medical conditions on your own. Always seek professional medical advice before choosing home remedies.
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Antioxidants In White Tea
First, well start with the antioxidants. Antioxidants are crucial to helping your body fight off free radicals, and what are free radicals? Free radicals are single oxygen atoms that can work within your body to damage your cells by reacting adversely with other molecules. Antioxidants work to keep free radicals from negatively affecting your health by preventing cellular damage.
White Tea Benefits Brain Oral & Reproductive Health
By now, youve probably heard all about the benefits of green tea. A cup or two per day is said to lower your blood pressure, alleviate inflammation, reduce the risk of heart disease and even give your memory a boost. Other types of tea like black tea, dandelion tea or hibiscus tea are also well-known for their health benefits. But what about white tea?
White tea is often overlooked in favor of more popular tea varieties. However, it packs in just as many if not more health benefits as other types of tea and offers a uniquely sweet and light flavor all its own.
It contains a comparable nutrient profile to green tea and is often even called light green tea because of its similar appearance. Much like green tea, it has also been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved brain, reproductive and oral health decreased cholesterol and increased fat burning.
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The Side Effects Of Pine Needle Tea:
Pine trees come in a range of shapes and sizes. When used for food, several of them are possibly poisonous or dangerous. Its best to go hunting for pine needles alongside someone who knows what theyre doing. According to the USDA Agricultural Research Service, when fed by cattle, the hands of ponderosa pine may cause abortion. The majority of the adverse effects of pine-needle tea are similarly anecdotal, as there is little study available.
For pregnant women:
Ponderosa pine needles should not be consumed, according to the USDA. If you are pregnant, you should avoid drinking this tea due to the toxicity of some pine species.
Bottom Line: White Tea Delivers More Antioxidants Than Any Other Type Of Tea
It has been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol, help fight oxidative stress in the body, fight chronic inflammation and help protect against bone loss, and sun-related skin damage, White tea appears to lower insulin resistance and may help you lose weight, according to studies.
For more great content like this, read The Beet’sHealth & Nutrition articles.
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