Mitch Calvert
If you drink tea for health reasons, you probably drink green tea.
But research shows drinking white tea can be even more beneficial.
White tea is said to inhibit oxidation of LDL (low density lipoproteins), which are known as bad cholesterol when compared to HDL (high density lipoproteins).
Scientists believe oxidized LDL is a potent cause of coronary heart disease, and studies also suggest white tea can reduce high blood pressure by preventing the creation of enzymes that cause constriction in blood vessels.
“Past studies have shown that green tea stimulates the immune system to fight disease,” Milton Schiffenbauer, a microbiologist and professor in the Department of Biology at Pace University’s Dyson College of Arts & Sciences, wrote in a study.
“Our research shows white tea extract can actually destroy in vitro the organisms that cause disease.
“Study after study with tea extract proves that it has many healing properties,” he added. “This is not an old wives tale, it’s a fact.”
White tea has a ton of antioxidants that improve mood and overall health. According to a study by Dr. Roberta Lee, an internal medicine physician from New York, it was found to have 10 times the antioxidants found in vitamin E and 20 times those found in vitamin C.
White tea is far less likely to stain those precious teeth, too, when compared to other tea varieties and coffee. It’s also the most minimally processed of all tea varieties, helping to preserve its powerful health benefits.
However, don’t expect white tea to work minor miracles if you suffer from some of these health problems. A report from the Mayo Clinic earlier this summer suggested the verdict is still out on many of its benefits—despite the studies promoting its use.
The report said drinking tea over long periods might positively affect cholesterol levels and blood pressure, but too many variables are involved to conclusively guarantee anything to date.
The Mayo Clinic report also noted early lab tests with white tea indicate it may protect against colon cancer, in particular, but so far, well-designed studies haven’t proven this, either.
Certainly drinking it regularly, or replacing your morning coffee with white tea, is a positive step, and there’s no real downside to doing so. But the study also noted diet and exercise are keys to preventing disease and maintaining good overall health first and foremost.
While there’s still much to learn about white tea’s true health benefits, the most bang for your buck is said to come from drinking it fresh rather than buying it in capsule form from the pharmacy.
On the downside, expect to pay more for white tea than other varieties.
