The Health Benefits

Imposant Benefits of White Tea

White tea shows important preventive and therapeutic properties in human conditions such as obesity, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and fertility dysfunctions. Thus, the consumption of white tea is popularly described as a healthy practice, though it is not very common among tea consumers. Its inclusion in food supplements could be an effective measure to maximize the health benefits.

Often, the ancient Chinese used white tea as a good cure against measles, toothache, and high fever, among other several health complaints. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) points out that the nature of white tea is cool, owning the positive effect of clearing inner heat and detoxifying, so it was brought abroad in the beginning as a good remedy for people who feel unaccustomed in a strange place, who needed to preserve health.

Antioxidants

White tea is rich in a specific type of polyphenols known as catechins. These polyphenols are antioxidants found in plants that safeguard cells from harm caused by free radicals. Excessive damage from free radicals can lead to negative health impacts, including aging, chronic inflammation, weakened immune defense, and various diseases.

White tea stands out as one of the premier choices for combating free radicals. Research has shown that white tea offers antioxidant effects on par with green tea, which is also celebrated for its health advantages.

In laboratory experiments, white tea extract demonstrated a protective effect against damage to animal nerve cells by a free radical known as hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, white tea powder has proven highly effective at mitigating inflammation caused by free radicals in human skin cells.

Although these findings from test-tube studies are encouraging, further research involving humans is necessary to fully understand the antioxidant benefits of white tea.

Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease

Heart disease holds the unfortunate title of being the top cause of death in the United States. Its close association with chronic inflammation is influenced by various factors, such as diet, physical activity, and unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking.

Polyphenols found in white tea may offer multiple pathways to reducing heart disease risk. Research indicates that polyphenols can not only help in relaxing blood vessels but also enhance immune function. Furthermore, they have been shown to inhibit the oxidation of "bad" LDL cholesterol, which is another significant risk factor for heart disease. A comprehensive review of five studies revealed a notable 21% decrease in heart disease risk among individuals who consumed three or more cups of tea daily.

These findings suggest that white tea might play a crucial role in heart disease prevention. However, maintaining heart health requires a holistic approach, including eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, engaging in regular physical activity, and ensuring adequate rest.

Help You Lose Weight

Green tea usually stands out as the go-to choice for those seeking teas that aid in weight loss. Yet, white tea might be equally potent in this regard.

Both green and white teas share similar levels of caffeine and catechins, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea compound known for its fat-burning properties. These components appear to work together synergistically to enhance fat loss.

Research in laboratory settings indicates that white tea extract can promote the breakdown of fat and inhibit the formation of new fat cells, largely thanks to EGCG. Additionally, reviews of various studies suggest that white tea could increase metabolic rates by an additional 4-5%, potentially leading to an extra burn of about 70-100 calories daily.

Despite these promising findings, white tea's impact on long-term weight loss remains underexplored, likely due to its lesser popularity compared to green tea. Therefore, more dedicated research is needed to fully understand its benefits in this area.

Protect Your Teeth from Bacteria

White tea is an excellent source of fluoride, catechins, and tannins, making it a powerful ally for dental health. This trio of molecules works together to fortify teeth against bacteria and sugar.

Fluoride plays a crucial role in preventing dental cavities by hardening the tooth surface, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria that interact with sugar. Catechins, abundant in white tea, are plant-based antioxidants that have been found to curb the growth of plaque bacteria. Tannins, yet another group of polyphenols present in white tea, have been observed in studies to work alongside fluoride to further impede the proliferation of bacteria responsible for plaque formation.

These findings highlight the dental benefits of white tea, underscoring its potential to contribute to better oral hygiene and health.

Has Compounds That May Fight Cancer

Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death in the United States. Research conducted in laboratory settings indicates that white tea may possess anticancer properties.

One specific study observed that white tea extract initiated cell death in various lung cancer types. Additionally, white tea has demonstrated potential benefits in treating colon cancer in two separate laboratory studies. These investigations revealed that white tea extract not only inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells but also prevented their proliferation. Moreover, the antioxidants present in white tea were shown to shield healthy cells from damage caused by free radicals.

It's important to highlight that these studies involved the use of significant quantities of white tea extract in a controlled environment. Consequently, further research involving human subjects is essential to better understand the potential cancer-fighting benefits of consuming white tea.

Lower the Risk of Insulin Resistance

Insulin plays a critical role in our bodies by facilitating the transport of nutrients from the bloodstream into cells for use or future storage. However, factors like excessive sugar intake can lead to a condition known as insulin resistance, where the body's response to insulin is diminished.

This condition is unfortunately widespread and stands as a primary contributor to numerous chronic health issues, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Research indicates that polyphenols, such as those found in white tea, may help mitigate the risk of developing insulin resistance. Studies involving animals have demonstrated that EGCG and other polyphenols present in white tea could amplify insulin's effects and avert elevated blood sugar levels.

Further evidence from an analysis of 17 studies involving over 1,100 participants has shown that tea polyphenols can significantly lower both blood sugar and insulin levels. While these findings are encouraging, more research on humans, specifically focusing on white tea, is necessary to confirm its efficacy in reducing the risk of insulin resistance.

Compounds in White Tea May Protect Against Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, a condition characterized by bones becoming hollow and porous, impacts around 44 million Americans over the age of 50, potentially leading to fractures and a diminished quality of life. Research highlights that free radicals and chronic inflammation may hasten the progression of osteoporosis by inhibiting cells that contribute to bone growth and encouraging those that degrade bones.

However, catechins found in white tea appear to combat these risk factors effectively. They are thought to inhibit the activity of cells responsible for bone breakdown. Notably, white tea is richer in catechins than other tea varieties, offering a potentially valuable dietary addition for those looking to support bone health.

Help Combat Skin Aging

As individuals age, it's a natural process for the skin to develop wrinkles and lose its firmness. This aging occurs in two primary ways: internal and external.

External aging is driven by environmental factors that accelerate the aging process, with the sun's UV rays being a prime example. These rays can inflict damage over time through inflammation. Internal aging, also referred to as natural or intrinsic aging, results from internal body factors such as free radicals and specific enzymes.

Key enzymes like elastase and collagenase play a role in degrading the skin's fiber network, essential for keeping the skin firm and tight. However, compounds found in white tea may offer a protective shield against both internal and external aging influences.

Research has shown that applying white tea extract to the skin can safeguard it against the damaging effects of the sun's UVA and UVB radiation. Additionally, polyphenols in white tea have been identified to inhibit cellular components that could otherwise harm the skin's structural network, ensuring it remains firm and tight. This highlights the potential of white tea in contributing to skin health and mitigating the aging process.

Help Protect Against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Diseases

Compounds in white tea, particularly the polyphenol EGCG, may play a significant role in reducing the risk of developing neurological conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Research involving test-tube and animal studies has demonstrated that EGCG can neutralize free radicals, diminish inflammation, and address other risk factors associated with these diseases.

Specifically, EGCG has been observed in laboratory settings to prevent the inappropriate folding and clumping of proteins, a process implicated in the pathogenesis of both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Misfolded and aggregated proteins are known to provoke inflammation and damage neural tissues in the brain, contributing to disease progression.

Lower Blood Pressure

White tea, having undergone lesser processing, is hence responsible for retention at high levels of phytochemicals like TP (tea polyphenol), Vitamin C, and P. Polyphenols in white tea also increase Vitamin C absorption, which helps reduce blood pressure and strengthen vein walls to become more elastic and lower fluid in the blood vessels. (Be sure to talk with your doctor if you are taking any blood thinning drugs).