by Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN
Probably not into inexperienced tea? Whereas many individuals discover it scrumptious, some aren’t a fan. If that’s you, no worries, there’s a tea which may simply be your cup of tea — oolong tea.
Oolong tea comes from the identical Camellia sinensis leaves as inexperienced and black tea. In contrast to inexperienced (unfermented) and black (totally fermented) teas, oolong sits comfortably in between. Its shade varies from inexperienced to darkish brown, relying on its getting older course of. As for the style? It’s mild and flowery however not as aromatic as inexperienced tea.
Though oolong makes up solely about 2% of world tea manufacturing, it’s price exploring.
On this article, we are going to dive deeper into the well being advantages of oolong tea that can assist you higher perceive if it’s one thing you need to add into your day by day drink rotation.
Disclaimer: This text is for informational functions solely and isn’t meant to deal with or diagnose any situation. It’s endorsed that you simply converse together with your physician earlier than making any modifications to your vitamin.
What’s Oolong Tea?
Approach again within the Ming dynasty, monks dwelling on China’s Songluo Mountain stumbled upon a scrumptious trick. By permitting tea leaves to partially oxidize earlier than pan-firing, they created a wealthy, aromatic tea — and that’s how Oolong tea acquired its title. This tasty tea gained speedy fame, even getting Emperor Hongwu’s stamp as an Imperial favourite. As we speak, it’s a beloved Chinese language tea worldwide.
Oolong tea is a well-liked selection in China and Taiwan, the place tea is a giant a part of tradition and socializing. Conferences between mates and enterprise companions usually revolve round tea. Whereas all true tea comes from the identical plant, the magic occurs throughout harvesting and processing. Oolong is semi-fermented, in contrast to black tea, which is totally fermented.
Tea additionally varies in antioxidants. Inexperienced tea boasts a lot of catechins, whereas black tea holds theaflavins and thearubigins. Oolong tea stands within the center for antioxidants.
With regards to caffeine, inexperienced and oolong tea share related quantities — round 10 to 60 milligrams per 8-ounce cup. Espresso, only for comparability, packs 70 to 130 mg in the identical measurement.
Are you having fun with plain brewed tea? It’s like sipping on zero-calorie goodness — no fats, carbs, or protein.
7 Well being Advantages of Oolong Tea
Beneath are some methods oolong tea might be helpful on your well being:
1. Helps in weight reduction
Oolong tea does greater than fulfill your style buds. It revs up your metabolism, giving your fat-burning a lift as a consequence of its lively polyphenols. These little powerhouses even act as blockers for fat-forming enzymes.
So, if shedding weight is in your thoughts, oolong tea generally is a stable ally, simply keep in mind to skip the refined sugar and synthetic sweeteners.
2. Coronary heart well being
The polyphenols present in oolong tea do greater than you would possibly assume. They kick-start an enzyme that breaks down triglycerides, a selected fats that circulates in your blood. These triglycerides play a task in thickening artery partitions, rising the possibilities of coronary heart ailments like stroke and coronary heart assaults.
That’s not all — research level out that oolong tea can assist decrease levels of cholesterol, too. Excessive ldl cholesterol is one other danger issue for coronary heart points. So, sipping on oolong tea would possibly simply be a heart-smart selection.
3. Mind well being
In accordance with a assessment of analysis, Oolong tea has a key issue often known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This similar compound can be a star in inexperienced tea and is liable for a bunch of its perks. Amongst these, it’s recognized to help in defending towards reminiscence loss and cognitive decline.
So, should you’re looking for a reminiscence increase, oolong tea would possibly simply maintain among the solutions.
4. Improves intestine microbiome
When the fragile stability of intestine micro organism goes awry, it might set the stage for numerous well being points, together with inflammatory bowel ailments, allergy symptoms, metabolic problems, and even liver issues.
Oolong tea steps in as a possible hero, aiming to revive this stability by selling the expansion of helpful micro organism. This may be significantly helpful, particularly when consuming a high-fat weight-reduction plan.
5. Could forestall most cancers danger
Specialists in Taiwan studied the connection between tea consumption and the chance of head, neck, or throat most cancers.
Whereas every day by day cup of oolong tea was linked to a 4 p.c decrease danger, this end result didn’t maintain robust significance. Compared, every cup of day by day inexperienced tea translated to a extra noticeable 6 p.c decrease danger of head and neck most cancers.
In one other research involving Chinese language girls, the dots linked in a different way. This time, sipping on inexperienced, black, or oolong tea was tied to a diminished danger of ovarian most cancers.
6. Promotes wholesome hair
Harnessing its spectacular antioxidant content material, oolong tea can probably act as a protect towards hair loss when used as a rinse from the brewed leaves. However its magic doesn’t cease there, it’s additionally a possible recipe for thicker and glossier hair.
7. Improves oral well being
An in vitro research highlighted oolong tea’s potential, it got here near the effectiveness of chlorhexidine mouthwash in eliminating Streptococcus mutans, the pesky micro organism liable for cavities.
One other research identified that oolong tea may help in cultivating a sturdy salivary microbiome. It really works by boosting the presence of useful micro organism.
