Health secrets of tea revealed

All teas come from one plant “Camellia Sinensis”. What makes it different is the manufacturing process for each type. Once the tea is plucked, the oxidation process starts, the leaf is treated differently to produce common types of teas like White Tea, Oolong, Green Tea and Black Tea. Each tea has a different flavor, aroma and appearance.

Studies have found that some teas may help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; aid weight loss; lower cholesterol, and bring about mental alertness. Tea also has antimicrobial qualities. It’s pretty well established that the compounds in tea – their flavonoids – are good for the heart and may reduce cancer

Tea contains unique antioxidants called flavonoids. The most potent of these, known as ECGC, may help against free radicals that can contribute to cancer, heart disease, and clogged arteries.

All these teas also have caffeine and theanine, which affect the brain and seem to heighten mental alertness. The more processed the tea leaves, usually the less polyphenol content. Polyphenols include flavonoids. Oolong and black teas are oxidised or fermented, so they have lower concentrations of polyphenols than green tea, but their antioxidizing power is still high.

White tea: Uncured and unfermented. One study showed that white tea has the most potent anti cancer properties compared to more processed teas.

Green tea: Has a high concentration of EGCG and has been widely studied. The antioxidants found in Green teas may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; prevent clogging of the arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.

Oolong tea: In an animal study, those given antioxidants from Oolong tea were found to have lower bad cholesterol levels. Oolong also aids weight loss

Black tea: Made with fermented tea leaves, black tea has the highest caffeine content and forms the basis for flavored teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.