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Health Benefits of White Tea, Uses And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Aug 31, 2020

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White tea is a completely different variety of tea that can transcend the health aspects provided by our regular tea. Health benefits of white tea include reduced risk of cancer(with the aid of polyphenols), cardiovascular disorder etc. With its antioxidant and anti-aging properties, it helps in maintaining good health and wrinkle free skin by impeding UV rays. The antibacterial properties of white tea protects the body from various infection causing bacteria.

It prevents type 2 diabetes and provides relief to diabetic people from symptoms such as decreased plasma glucose levels, increased insulin secretion and excessive thirst (polydipsia). Intake of white tea also helps in healthy weight loss by burning fat. It also aids healthy liver, teeth with a relatively low level of caffeine.

White Tea

White tea is one of several styles of tea which generally feature young or minimally processed leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The color of brewed white tea is pale yellow. Its name derives from the fine silvery-white hairs on the unopened buds of the tea plant, which give the plant a whitish appearance.

The flavor of white tea is very light compared with black tea and green tea. Some people describe the taste of white tea as sweet and silky.

Nutritional Value of White Tea

White tea contains nutrients and antimicrobial qualities that protect the body against the occurrence of diseases. It contains polyphenols, a set of phytonutrients and different amounts of catechins, a category of polyphenols. Additionally white tea also contains other tannins, fluoride, and flavonoids. These are responsible for the various benefits that white tea provides.

Nutritional facts Per 1 serving

0.3
Calories
0.3 mg
Sodium
2.7 mg
Potassium
0.1 g
Total Carbohydrate
0
Protein

Vitamins and Minerals

0.10 %
Magnesium

Health Benefits of White Tea

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Mentioned below are the best health benefits of White Tea

Anti Oxidant Properties of White Tea

White tea contains antioxidants in greater quantity. These antioxidants are found to have many health stimulating properties including boosting cardiovascular health, aiding to lower cholesterol, abate the risk of cancer and enhancing weight loss.

Presence of free radicals in the body is what leads to damage of different body organs. White tea contains polyphenols which help in neutralizing these free radicals, making them less destructive to the body. White tea extracts with its antioxidant properties also help in cell neuroprotection.

White Tea For Anti Aging

High phenol content strengthens elastin and collagen and EGCG enhances hair growth. It scales down premature aging by repairing and maintaining the cells. It shields the body from the damaging UV rays and thus promotes healthy and youthful skin.

White Tea For Cancer prevention

White tea is a potential anticancer, chemopreventive agent and its extract may prompt apoptosis or cell death and may help in preventing new cell growth in lung cancer.

White tea has antimutagenic properties, it is packed with antioxidants and flavonoids, which are known to balk the prolifertion of cancer cells. It has already given a success rate of up to 50% in combating stomach, colon and prostate cancer.

White tea in preventing diabetes

The anti-diabetic properties of white tea helps to avert Type 2 diabetes. Intake of white tea may alliviate diabetic people from symptoms such as excessive thirst (polydipsia), decreased plasma glucose levels and increased insulin secretion.

Improves cardio-vascular disorder

Flavonoids found in white tea is associated with decreased risk of the cardiovascular disorder. The flavonoids help to lowering the blood pressure. It also helps in improving dyslipidemia, endothelial function and inhibits low-density lipoprotein oxidation. This tea helps to protect heart and the entire circulatory system by reducing cholesterol, lowering triglyceride levels, thinning the blood, and improving artery and blood vessel function.

Strengthening bones

Regular intake of white tea can improve bone density and strength, and may provide relief from the symptoms of osteoporosis

White Tea Acts as Antibacterial Agent

White tea is a natural killer of bacteria and viruses. The antioxidants are so prolific in white tea that it tones the entire immune system, providing protection against a variety of germs and a wide range of diseases. Its helps guard against the common cold and flu, and can ease the symptoms of HIV. Various products such as hand soap are made using this tea as a key ingredient.

Whiter Tea Good for Healthy Teeth & Gums

White tea contains fluoride and other nutrients which keeps the teeth strong and healthy. It also kills the bacteria which causes plaque, tooth decay, and bad breath.

The fluorides, flavonoids and tannins content present in white tea terminates the viruses and destroys the cavities. Also because the color of white tea is a lot lighter; so it assists in the teeth whitening.

Anti Inflammatory Properties of White Tea

White tea's anti-inflammatory properties may reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. For those already suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, white tea may curb inflammation and joint damage, and pacify some of the aches and pains of arthritis and help alleviate body aches.

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.

White Tea to Lower Cholesterol Level

Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been found to reduce cholesterol, and white tea is teeming with them. Cholesterol is a special type of fat and is necessary for health. There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, and white tea increases the good while decreasing the bad. This helps prevent hardening of the arteries and blockage of blood flow.

Uses of White Tea

White tea has minimal caffeine as compared to coffee, energy drinks, and other highly caffeinated beverages. White tea contains high levels of the amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine is known for many health benefits.

White tea is a powerful antioxidant, encourages relaxation, helps with weight management, relieves anxiety, improves concentration, and much more. And L-theanine combined with caffeine (which white tea has) has been shown to significantly enhance alertness. White tea aids in reproduction and memory enhancements, prevents hypothyroidism, contributes to healthy liver etc.

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Allergies and Side-Effects of White Tea

Side effects associated with white tea are primarily caused by its caffeine content. Some of the most common side effects of internal white tea consumption include insomnia, dizziness and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Topical application of white tea extract may cause skin irritation. White tea may also cause heart problems if consumed excessively. Also consumption of white tea before going to bed is not recommended as its caffeine content can inhibit sleep and keep one awake.

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 (air drying, solar drying or mechanical drying) → white tea

It is made either entirely or mostly from the buds (or immature, unopened tealeaves) 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.

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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