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10 Best Health Benefits Of Oolong Tea

Healthy teas are the pretty old fad now that appeals you numerous health benefits. Green tea is one of the popular types of tea from all other teas. However, many are not big fans of green tea and still looking out for some better options.

You can try Oolong tea!!

Oolong tea is a rare and versatile category of tea. It represents only 2% of the tea, but it is well worth discovering. Oolong tea combines the goodness of several dark and green teas. It has miraculous health benefits from treating different disorders to preventing several chronic diseases.

What is oolong tea?  

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea and, the famous type comes from the Fuijan province of China that obtained from the leaves, buds, and branches of the camellia Sinensis plant. This one is the same plant used to make green tea, but the difference is how the tea is processed. Oolong tea may consume in China, Taiwan, Japan, and India.

Oolong tea is made from the same plant that green and black teas are made from. However, oolong leaves are processed using a team-making process called oxidation, in which the tea leaves are exposed to air. This causes the leaves to ferment and oxidize for certain periods of time based on which the leaves gain their flavour, colour, etc.

The history of oolong tea was back to the Ming Dynasty around the mid-1300s. Flavor ranges from light floral tones to cinnamon, toasted bread, ripe fruit, and caramel notes. Oolong is different by flavors and leaves matching the terroir. 

Nutritional facts of oolong tea

 Oolong tea is rich in black and green tea nutrients that are beneficial for our body. Oolong tea is rich in – 

  1. Vitamins – vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K
  2. Minerals – calcium, manganese, copper, carotene, selenium, and potassium
  3. Antioxidants – polyphenolic compounds like catechins, theaflavine, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, EGCg, etc.
  4. Caffeine 
  5. Amino acid – theanine

Health benefits of oolong tea

Almost all health benefits that oolong tea provides us are because of antioxidants. Oolong tea can help control mild to severe disorders. 

1: May lowers heart disease risk

Antioxidants are always beneficial for our heart health. Consumption of oolong tea can associate with reducing heart disease risk significantly. According to a Chinese study, people who drank at least 10 ounces of oolong tea a week had a lower risk of heart vessel blockages and stroke. It also contains caffeine that improves metabolism, and this directly benefits the heart. Oolong tea is also known to reduce increased blood pressure.  Another way oolong tea benefits the body is by lowering total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

2: Help reduce cholesterol levels 

Oolong is known to reduce bad cholesterol from the blood and improve your heart health. It is semi-oxidized that produces a perfectly sized polyphenol molecule that can activate the enzyme lipase that dissolves body fat.

3: May balance blood sugar 

The polyphenol antioxidants present in oolong tea may control blood sugar levels. It also reduces the risk of getting diabetes type 2. Some studies have found a link between oolong tea and lower fasting blood sugar levels. However, it will not improve glucose metabolism in non-diabetic adults.

4: May promote weight loss

Oolong tea help expedites our metabolism two hours after drinking it. It contains polyphenols that can block enzymes that build fat.

The caffeine in oolong tea has a role to play too in obesity. One 2009 study found that tea containing catechins and caffeine-induced more weight loss than tea containing only one component. The two components work together to maintain lean body mass.

Another study shows how oolong tea may help reduce gain in weight due to a high-fat diet, hepatic lipids, and even white adipose tissue weights. Full strength oolong tea may help increase energy and fat oxidation.

5: May lower the cancer risk  

Oolong tea is full of compounds like catechins and antioxidants that  might  play a small role in cancer prevention. According to a Chinese study, oolong tea can help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women. Simply steeping oolong tea in hot water can help you get the maximum benefits. Another study in Taiwan states that there are links between the prevention of throat cancer and the consumption of oolong tea.

6: May boost your immunity 

Oolong tea contains a lot of antioxidants flavonoids that prevent cellular damage by improving your immunity. The tea can also increase the production of antibacterial proteins in your body, which help fight infection.

7: Increases mental alertness and sleep quality 

Oolong tea is a good source of caffeine that keeps your mental alertness active and reduces stress. Caffeine can increase the release of norepinephrine and dopamine. These two brain messengers are beneficial for mood, attention, and brain function. Regular oolong tea consumption might be cause longer sleep and reduce sleep latency.  Oolong tea also contains huge amounts of polyphenols which help the body reduce stress levels and is also said to potentially prevent Alzheimer’s.

8: May improve skin health 

Oolong tea can suppress those allergic reactions because it combats free radicals. Antioxidants are essential for skin health to keep it as beautiful as it is. This tea also helps treat acne and blemishes and wrinkles, and other signs of ageing.

Oolong tea is particularly beneficial in eczema cases that occur in conjunction with allergies or sensitivities. Drinking oolong tea thrice a day for six months can give you good results.

9: May improve bone density 

It is essential when the calcium loss from your body is more like in menopausal age.  Drinking oolong tea, as per studies, can prevent this by maintaining high bone density. It also contains more calcium and magnesium that keep your bones stronger. Polyphenols in tea may help to increase bone mass and bone strength too. 

10: May prevent tooth decay 

Oolong tea can protect your teeth from acids produced by various bacteria. One study showed that rinsing the mouth with oolong tea exact may ”significantly inhibit plaque deposition. Apart from this, tea leaves also contain fluorides, an element that is often added to drinking water, mouthwash, and toothpaste, to help prevent cavities in the teeth.

Read more about: 8 Incredible Health Benefits Of Passion Fruit

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