It is true that most people opt for green tea, thinking that it is the most beneficial tea, especially for weight loss, but white tea has its own set of benefits. Both white tea and green tea come from the same plant, but different processing methods are involved in both. White tea contains several important nutrients and antioxidants that provide you with a range of benefits. Let's find out more about the benefits of white tea and some reasons to include it in your diet.
Top Reasons to Drink White Tea
The benefits of white tea come from its antioxidant content, which is the highest in white tea because it is not as processed as green tea or black tea. Here are some interesting reasons to start drinking it from today.
1. It Lowers Risk of Cancer
White tea lowers your risk of cancer mainly because it contains polyphenols called catechins. They act as antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals from your body. Free radicals can damage cells in your body and increase the risk of cancer. You may also develop other problems, like signs of aging, a weakened immune system, and chronic inflammation. Studies have found that white tea may prove beneficial in preventing and managing lung cancer. It may also cause cell death in case you have colon cancer. Regular intake of white tea not only suppresses the growth of cancer cells but also stops them from spreading.
2. It Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease claims more deaths in the United States than other chronic diseases, and chronic inflammation is the underlying of these diseases. Chronic inflammation could be the result of several factors, such as exercise, diet, smoking, and other lifestyle habits. White tea contains polyphenols that lower risk of heart disease in many ways. Polyphenols are supposed to relax blood vessels and strengthen your immune system as well. Some studies show that polyphenols may also help lower "bad" cholesterol levels, which in turn protects you against heart disease. Studies show that drinking three cups of white tea a day may lower your risk of heart disease by 21%.
3. It Helps with Weight Loss
Although green tea is a more popular choice for people struggling with weight loss, white tea may prove equally effective, if not more. White tea contains catechins, including EGCGs that help promote fat loss. White tea contains some caffeine as well that works with EGCGs to boost your metabolism and increase fat loss. Regular consumption of white tea may help increase your metabolism by 5%, which means that you may end up burning at least 100 additional calories a day.
4. It Protects Your Teeth
One of many benefits of white tea is that it prevents dental cavities and lowers your risk of developing dental problems. These benefits are mainly due to the presence of catechins, fluoride, and tannins in white tea. It also contains certain molecules that work together to fight bacteria and sugar. White tea leaves a layer of fluoride over your teeth that makes your teeth resistant to acid attacks. Catechins in white tea may help inhibit the growth of bacteria in your mouth.
5. It Lowers Insulin Resistance
Insulin is important for your health because it takes nutrients from your bloodstream and delivers it to the cells in your body. Your cells store these nutrients for later use, but the process gets hampered when you develop a condition called insulin resistance. Over time, insulin resistance can lead to chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Polyphenols found in white tea not only lowers your risk of insulin resistance but also helps treat it more effectively. Coupled with EGCG, polyphenols enhance the effect of insulin in your body and stabilize your blood sugar levels.
6. It Lowers Risk of Osteoporosis
One of many benefits of white tea is that it protects you from osteoporosis, a condition that causes your bones to become porous and hollow. Studies show that chronic inflammation caused by free radicals is one of many causes of osteoporosis. Catechins in white tea reduce inflammation and suppress cells that are responsible for breaking down bones.
7. It Protects Your Skin
By preventing oxidative damage to your skin cells, white tea may help lower risk of skin problems. Stress and other environmental factors can cause damage cells, causing wrinkles and other blemishes to appear on your skin. Antioxidants found in white tea prevent aging effects by eliminating free radicals from your body. Many other compounds in white tea may help protect against enzymes called collagenase and elastase that can be damaging your skin's fiber network. Topical application of white tea extract may also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on your skin.
White Tea vs. Green Tea
There certainly are many benefits of white tea, but many people think that green tea is a better option. This is not true actually. The benefits of both white tea and green tea come from its antioxidant content, which is actually higher in white tea because it is not as processed as green tea.
White tea is usually much more expensive because it has been handpicked and needs to be handled with serious care. Both white and green teas contain the same types of antioxidants, but the quantity makes all the difference. Similarly, both contain caffeine, but green tea has a higher caffeine content, which is another reason why some people believe that green tea is a better choice for weight loss.
In terms of taste, white tea is different and has a much gentler, smoother, and almost sweet taste as compared to green tea. Therefore, if you want your cup of tea to be a bit sweeter and healthier, you may want to put your money on white tea.