The medicinal benefits of tea have been promoted since the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. Green, black, and oolong teas contain high antioxidant levels that nurture the body and prevent illness and disease.
But now, another ancient secret is being exported from the coastal regions of China. White tea has finally made it to specialty store shelves and on Asian menus throughout the United States. Subtle flavors and high antioxidant levels have marketing gurus salivating over the sales potential of white tea.
White tea is prepared from underdeveloped leaves that are gathered before the plant’s buds have opened. A silky white fuzz envelopes the buds, hence the name white tea. But appearance isn’t the reason for white tea’s allure.
White tea leaves are steamed during processing, instead of the traditional method of air-drying. Steaming preserves white leaves close to their natural state, meaning the leaves contain more of the potent antioxidants that destroy cancer cells.
Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant that impedes the development of cancer cells. While other teas are excellent sources of cancer fighting antioxidants, the flavonoids in white tea are effective in colon, prostate, pancreas, and stomach cancer. Research on the health benefits of white tea has led some cancer experts to claim that white tea fights cancer cells as effectively as most prescription drugs.
White tea has a broader health appeal than green, black, or oolong teas. Research has concluded white tea thins the blood, preventing artery blockage and promoting a healthy blood flow. The advantage of thinner blood is lower blood pressure and reduced risk of stroke.
Another unique health benefit of white tea is how it lowers cholesterol. The antioxidant catechin raises the good cholesterol (HDL), while lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL). There are few, if any, other types of food that can positively impact both types of cholesterol.
The heart benefits of white tea are the focus of current medical studies, but researchers believe people who drink two or more cups of white tea per day will have a fifty percent less chance of being struck by a heart attack. Some researchers believe the risk is even lower.
The high level of catechins in white tea makes the tea variety a potent weapon to fend off bacteria and viruses. Immune system protection is another unique benefit of drinking white tea. White tea will definitely be a hot seller during the cold and flu season.
Our bones become brittle as we age. Calcium rich foods are normally recommended to stave of osteoporosis. White tea drinkers, however, have been found to have greater bone density and strength than those that stick to a calcium rich diet. The ancillary benefits of enhanced bone density are the healthy joints that stave off arthritis.
Oral health is often ignored, especially when we get older and are concerned about other potential ailments. But healthy teeth have been correlated to overall physical health. White tea does have enough of the bacteria fighting fluoride to effectively maintain healthy teeth and gums. The bacteria killing benefits include reduce plaque and tooth decay.
Chinese medicinal guides throughout history have extolled the age slowing benefits of tea. Since antioxidants expunge the free radicals that cause aging, tea is a natural remedy to fight ravages of skin damage. White tea has more antioxidants than any other variety.
The multifarious health benefits of white tea makes me wonder why it took so long to import this superior natural remedy. Then again, maybe the Chinese wanted to keep this unique secret to themselves.
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