White Tea - the supreme health drink

10 September, 2012

Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world, especially due to its health benefits. We all know about green tea and black tea, but now another kind of tea which has been added to the list is the 'white tea'. Read on to find out its benefits.

WHITE TEA, a native of China, according to researchers is more beneficial to health than other kinds of tea. The Chinese have been using it since the days of Ming dynasty but for the rest of the world, it is becoming a trending beverage only now- thanks to its flavour and health benfits.

What is the origin of the white tea and where it comes from? White tea also comes from the same Camilla Sinensis tea bush from where the green tea and the black tea are derived. But the only difference is that it is made from the yet to mature leaves that are handpicked just before the buds have fully opened rather than the mature tea leaves, which are used for the green and black tea. The white tea got its name from the silver fuzz that covers the bud, which turns white when it is dried.

The secret behind the popularity of white tea lies in its sweet, silky flavour and the health benefits associated with it. The white tea brings out the natural taste of the tea leaves and contains more poly phenol, which is the most powerful antioxidant that fights against the cancer causing cells. A study conducted by Pace University, says that white tea boosts your body's immune system to fight against virus and various infection causing bacteria, reported chinesefood.about.com.

White tea is loaded with many protective nutrients and is associated with many health benefits like:

Cancer prevention – white tea is rich in antioxidants and hence it acts against the cancer causing cells and protects us from different types of cancers like colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. White tea is used as a prescription drug for cancer.

Lowers the blood pressure – it helps in thinning the blood and improves the artery function, and the risk of heart stroke is reduced.

Lowers the cholesterol levels – a group of antioxidants called Catechins, present in the white tea helps in decreasing the levels of bad cholesterol and increasing the levels of good cholesterol.

Lowers the blood sugar levels – it reduces the blood sugar level in the body and relieves the symptoms of diabetes.

Protects the heart – by lowering the blood pressure, thinning the blood and reducing the cholesterol, the white tea helps in protecting the entire circulatory system and the heart.

Bone strength – white tea increases the bone strength and density and it is also beneficial for the people suffering with arthritis and osteoporosis.

Antibacterial and antiviral – the tea is a natural killer of virus and bacteria.

Good for teeth and gums – small amount of fluoride is present in the white tea which keeps your teeth and gums healthy and also kills the oral bacteria.

Healthy skin – white tea gives a glow to your skin and keeps it healthy.

White tea is a great gift of nature; it is a tonic which is loaded with numerous health benefits. So, by taking white tea you can protect yourself from many health related problems; try to add the flavour of white tea in your life and keep yourself healthy.