by Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN
Not likely 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 (absolutely fermented) teas, oolong sits comfortably in between. Its coloration varies from inexperienced to darkish brown, relying on its growing older course of. As for the style? It’s gentle and flowery however not as aromatic as inexperienced tea.
Though oolong makes up solely about 2% of world tea manufacturing, it’s value exploring.
On this article, we’ll dive deeper into the well being advantages of oolong tea that can assist you higher perceive if it’s one thing you wish to add into your each day drink rotation.
Disclaimer: This text is for informational functions solely and isn’t meant to deal with or diagnose any situation. It is strongly recommended that you simply converse together with your physician earlier than making any adjustments to your diet.
What’s Oolong Tea?
Approach again within the Ming dynasty, monks residing 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 bought its identify. This tasty tea gained speedy fame, even getting Emperor Hongwu’s stamp as an Imperial favourite. Right this moment, it’s a beloved Chinese language tea worldwide.
Oolong tea is a well-liked alternative in China and Taiwan, the place tea is a giant a part of tradition and socializing. Conferences between buddies 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 absolutely fermented.
Tea additionally varies in antioxidants. Inexperienced tea boasts numerous catechins, whereas black tea holds theaflavins and thearubigins. Oolong tea stands within the center for antioxidants.
Relating 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 dimension.
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 useful in 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 because of its energetic polyphenols. These little powerhouses even act as blockers for fat-forming enzymes.
So, if shedding weight is in your thoughts, oolong tea could be a strong ally, simply bear 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 job in thickening artery partitions, rising the probabilities of coronary heart ailments like stroke and coronary heart assaults.
That’s not all — research level out that oolong tea may help decrease levels of cholesterol, too. Excessive ldl cholesterol is one other threat issue for coronary heart points. So, sipping on oolong tea would possibly simply be a heart-smart alternative.
3. Mind well being
In response to 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 accountable for a bunch of its perks. Amongst these, it’s recognized to assist in defending in opposition to reminiscence loss and cognitive decline.
So, if you happen to’re in search of a reminiscence enhance, oolong tea would possibly simply maintain a few of the solutions.
4. Improves intestine microbiome
When the fragile steadiness of intestine micro organism goes awry, it may set the stage for varied 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 steadiness by selling the expansion of useful micro organism. This may be notably helpful, particularly when consuming a high-fat food plan.
5. Could forestall most cancers threat
Consultants in Taiwan studied the connection between tea consumption and the probability of head, neck, or throat most cancers.
Whereas every each day cup of oolong tea was linked to a 4 % decrease threat, this final result didn’t maintain sturdy significance. As compared, every cup of each day inexperienced tea translated to a extra noticeable 6 % decrease threat of head and neck most cancers.
In one other examine involving Chinese language ladies, the dots linked otherwise. This time, sipping on inexperienced, black, or oolong tea was tied to a lowered threat of ovarian most cancers.
6. Promotes wholesome hair
Harnessing its spectacular antioxidant content material, oolong tea can probably act as a protect in opposition to 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 examine highlighted oolong tea’s potential, it got here near the effectiveness of chlorhexidine mouthwash in eliminating Streptococcus mutans, the pesky micro organism accountable for cavities.
One other examine identified that oolong tea might assist in cultivating a sturdy salivary microbiome. It really works by boosting the presence of useful micro organism.