8 Abundant benefits of white tea for the health of your body: uses, side effects, interactions

Have you ever heard of white tea? Although not as popular as green tea, white tea has many health benefits. If you have a hobby of drinking tea, you must try this one variant. But before tasting it, consider the various facts about white tea.

The origin of white tea

White tea is made from plants Camellia sinensis . Actually green tea and black tea are also made from plants Camellia sinensis . However, the processing method gives these teas a unique taste and aroma.

White tea is harvested when the leaves and buds are not completely open. Precisely when it was still covered by fine white hair. That's why this variant is called white tea.

Benefits of white tea for health

White tea contains many health benefits that are very dear to miss. Because instead of black tea and green tea, white tea goes through the least production process. So the antioxidant content is the highest of the two types.

Some of the potential benefits of white tea for the body are:

1. Against free radicals

White tea is rich in polyphenols called catechins. Polyphenols are plant-based molecules that act as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are dangerous compounds because they can cause various diseases in the body. Chronic inflammation, cancer, and premature aging are bad effects of free radicals in the body.

A study published in the Journal of Inflammation found that the catechins in white tea can help fight free radicals.

2. Protect the brain

EGCG polyphenols, compounds found in white tea can reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.

Research conducted on animals points to the fact that EGCG can suppress free radicals and reduce inflammation. Both of these are factors that can increase the appearance of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

EGCG polyphenols can prevent protein in the brain from clumping together. This is because protein clotting can increase inflammation and damage nerves in the brain. As a result, this brain damage can lead to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

However, for the direct benefit to humans, further research is still needed.

3. Reducing the risk of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition when bones are hollow and porous. One of the things that causes this condition is chronic inflammation due to free radicals in the body.

If left unchecked, this can suppress cells that help bone growth and promote the production of cells that break down bone. As a result, bone loss is inevitable.

It turns out that research has shown that catechins include compounds that can fight bone loss and stimulate bone growth.

As previously mentioned, catechins are antioxidant compounds in white tea. In fact, the catechin content in this one tea is the most compared to other types.

Therefore, regularly drinking white tea can help prevent bone loss from coming faster.

4. Reducing the risk of heart disease

One of the causes of heart disease is chronic inflammation in the body. This is generally caused by a variety of things from diet, exercise habits, and lifestyle.

White tea contains polyphenols which are very good for heart health. Research published in the journal Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine found interesting evidence about polyphenols.

The fact shows that polyphenols can prevent bad cholesterol (LDL) from being oxidized which increases the risk of heart disease.

In addition, other studies have found that people who drink three or more cups of tea per day have a lower risk of developing heart disease.

5. Maintain healthy teeth

White tea contains fluoride, catechins and tannins. The combination of these various molecules can help strengthen teeth by fighting bacteria and sugars.

Flouride is a substance that helps prevent cavities. The trick is to make the surface of the teeth more resistant to acid attack by bacteria caused by sugar.

Meanwhile, catechins are antioxidants in white tea that have been shown to be effective at inhibiting the growth of bacteria and plaque.

While tannins are a type of polyphenol or other antioxidants in white tea. Research published in the Journal of Dentistry has shown that the combination of tannins and fluorides can help inhibit the growth of plaque-causing bacteria.

6. Prevent premature aging

Aging occurs both inside and outside the body. External aging arises from environmental factors such as exposure to pollution and UV rays damaging the skin.

While aging that occurs in the body is not visible and is usually caused by free radicals and certain enzymes.

To prevent this, white tea can be one solution. The rich antioxidant content in it can protect the body from aging from the inside and outside.

Many studies have found evidence that the polyphenols in this tea can help suppress the breakdown of fiber tissue that helps keep skin firm and youthful.

7. Reducing the risk of insulin resistance

Insulin is a hormone that functions to absorb glucose from the blood for use as energy. However, a person is at risk for insulin resistance, which is a condition when the body does not respond well to insulin.

Usually this condition is caused by various chronic health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Interestingly, research has shown that the polyphenols in white tea can reduce the risk of insulin resistance.

In fact, animal studies have found that EGCG and other polyphenols in white tea can help prevent high blood sugar levels. You do this by increasing the effect and work of insulin.

8. Lose weight

White tea has the same levels of caffeine and catechins as green tea, namely epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This compound is thought to have a strong effect on the fat burning process in the body.

A test-tube study found evidence that white tea extract was able to stimulate the process of breaking down fat. In fact, this tea extract prevents the formation of new fat cells.

Interestingly, these two things are largely due to EGCG. In addition, research published in the International Journal of Obesity states white tea helps increase metabolism by 4-5 percent. On balance, this amounts to burning an extra 70 to 100 calories per day.

For those of you who are intending to lose weight, you can try drinking white tea regularly.