It has long been known that drinking tea has positive health effects. Green tea, black tea and chamomile tea are among the most consumed. But what about white tea? White tea has many benefits that are not yet well known. While both green and black teas are beneficial, white tea undergoes the least amount of processing. As a result, it retains a significant amount of antioxidants. Here are the multiple virtues of white tea.
Description of white tea
Tea that has not undergone any processing after drying is often called white tea, which allows it to retain the majority of its nutrients unlike other types of tea. White tea comes from the plant of Camellia Sinensisan evergreen shrub native to China and India. Instead of being exposed to artificial heat, the leaves are simply withered and dried, resulting in tea the softest, most delicate and freshest. Because of the minimal processing, white tea requires less time and labor to prepare than black tea or green tea.
The benefits of white tea
According to some recent studies, white tea has considerable health benefits. However, it is not a miracle drink: to enjoy the benefits of this drink, it must be integrated into a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Important source of antioxidants
White tea is proving to be one of the best categories of teas that can fight free radicals. Indeed, the presence of free radicals in the body leads to premature aging, chronic inflammation, and a weakened immune system. White tea contains polyphenols which have antioxidant effects similar to those of green tea. One study found that white tea powder was highly effective in decreasing free radical inflammation in human skin cells.
Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in France. The polyphenols in white tea may help reduce the risk of heart disease in several ways. Several studies have shown that these polyphenols help relax blood vessels and strengthen immunity. Other scientific experiments prove that polyphenols can significantly prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol which is another risk factor for heart problems. A scientific analysis found that individuals who drank three or more cups of tea a day had a lower risk of heart disease than those who did not.
White tea helps with weight loss
Green tea is generally the first tea that comes to mind when we want to lose weight. However, white tea can be just as effective when it comes to burning fat. The consumption of this drink is the best natural way to avoid overweight. The tisan made from this plant is a good source of caffeine and catechins. These two substances have a synergistic effect to help the body burn fat and stimulate the metabolism.
White tea improves oral health
White tea contains an excellent source of fluoride, catechins and tannins. The combination of these molecules helps to strengthen teeth by fighting bacteria and sugar. In addition, the presence of fluoride in white tea helps prevent tooth decay by making the surface of the teeth more resistant to the attacks of sugar-related bacteria. In addition, one study found that 34% of the fluoride in a cup of white tea is retained. This is one of the reasons why white tea can help you promote better oral hygiene.
Fighting cancer
In France, as in other developed countries, cancer is becoming the leading cause of death. Fortunately, the virtues of white tea include anti-cancer effects. In a test-tube study, an extract of white tea triggered cell death in some cancers, including lung cancer. Two other scientific trials have demonstrated the beneficial effects of white tea on cancer cells in the colon.
Ideal for skin care
The application of white tea is recommended because of its antioxidant properties that help in the repair and rapid recovery of damaged skin. The compounds in white tea can protect the skin from internal and external aging damage. Numerous studies have proven that the polyphenols present in this tea eliminate several cellular components that can damage the fiber network, which helps the skin stay firm.
How to prepare white tea?
White tea is not only healthy, but also very easy to prepare. The preparation of white tea can be done by following these steps:
- Boil water in a saucepan
- for good results, let the boiled water cool for one or two minutes, otherwise the tea will become scalded and slightly astringent
- Once the water has cooled slightly, let the white tea leaves steep for 7 to 10 minutes to obtain a delicate flavor. The longer you let the tea steep, the stronger the taste becomes. If you prefer a stronger tea, you can add more dry leaves until you have created the right flavor balance for your taste preferences.
You can get white tea leaves from online stores or from your local health food store.