The benefits of white tea
White tea?
White tea is extracted from the Chinese camellia plant, camellia sinensis, and it is made from carefully selected buds and leaves, and it has many health benefits thanks to the fact that it contains flavonoids which are antioxidants.
Camellia sinensis is the same plant from which green tea and black tea are made, however, the different processing methods give it its unique flavors and slices.
White tea is the least processed of the three types of tea, and for this reason, it maintains a high amount of antioxidants.
This is believed to be one of the reasons why studies associate white tea with many health benefits. For example, white tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease, combat skin aging, and even help lose weight.
White tea provides the least amount of caffeine compared to green tea and black tea, however, the actual caffeine content of white tea can vary depending on the plant and the region where it was grown.
How to prepare it
Measure about 2 grams of tea leaves per cup of water, given its delicate flavor, it is best to drink white tea in water with a temperature ranging from 170 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit (76 to 85 degrees Celsius).
Many sources indicate that white tea being steeped for a slightly longer time than other teas can make its flavor stronger, you can leave it soaked for only 2-3 minutes, while some recommend a period of up to five minutes.
You can try both things to find the marinade time that provides the flavor you enjoy, and because of the delicate flavor of this tea, it is recommended that you enjoy it without milk, cream, sugar or honey.
The benefits of white teaRich in antioxidants
White tea is rich in a type of polyphenol called catechins; polyphenols are plant molecules that act as antioxidants inside the body, protecting antioxidants from cells by free radical damage.
Free radicals cause a lot of damage to the body such as the effects of aging, chronic infections, weak immune system and a variety of other diseases.
It may reduce your risk of heart disease
Heart diseases are closely related to chronic infections, which are linked to many factors, including: diet, exercise, and unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking.
Polyphenols such as those in white tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease in several ways, for example, relaxing blood vessels and increasing immunity, and other studies have found that polyphenols may prevent the formation of harmful cholesterol LDL, which is another risk factor that helps heart disease .
It helps to lose weight
Green tea is often the first tea that comes to mind when you consider tea for weight loss, however, white tea may be just as effective when it comes to burning fat.
Both tea have similar levels of caffeine and catechins as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a compound in green tea associated with burning fats.
For example, a study found that white tea extract was able to stimulate lipolysis and prevent the formation of new fat cells, and this was largely due to EGCG.
Helps protect teeth from bacteria
White tea is a great source of fluoride and catechins. This mixture of molecules can help strengthen teeth by fighting bacteria and sugar. Fluoride can help prevent tooth decay by making the surface of the teeth more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugar.
Contains compounds that may fight cancer
Several studies have found that white tea may have anti-cancer effects. In one study, white tea extract caused cell death in several types of lung cancers.
Other studies have examined the effects of white tea on colon cancer cells, and studies have found that white tea extract suppresses the growth of colon cancer cells and prevents them from spreading, and the antioxidants present in white tea protect normal cells from damage caused by harmful molecules.
It may protect from osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a health condition in which the bones become hollow and brittle, and studies have shown that free radicals and chronic infections may accelerate osteoporosis, these two factors may lead to the suppression of cells that help bone growth and strengthen cells that break bone.
The benefits of white tea