White tea benefits the different parts of your body. White tea benefits the mind, body, and soul. Perhaps most surprisingly, when it comes to the body, in particular, the health benefits of White Tea in fact surpass those of Green Tea Benefits. This is because it contains higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and other antioxidants. Here we are discussing the benefits of white tea and its side effects.
White Tea Benefits
Prevent Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is considered the world’s third most common form of cancer in both men and women. On the basis of studies done on Colon cancer cell lines, it was found that the high antioxidant and free radical scavenging property white tea help in retarding the cancerous growth and protect the normal cells against oxidative damage
Stronger Healthy Teeth
This will put a smile on your face: White Tea benefits include stronger, healthier teeth! The reason behind this is its wealth in fluorides and flavonoids, as well as small amounts of tannins, which are supportive of oral health in various ways.
Fluoride, for instance, reduces dental caries, while tannins inhibit the formation of plaque. Then there are flavonoids, which prevent the growth of bacteria.
What’s more, it can also deactivate viruses and eliminate the bacteria that cause cavities in the teeth. This is according to a study that discovered that White Tea extracts enhanced the antibacterial and antiviral effects of toothpaste when combined.
Read More: Pomegranate White Tea Benefits And Its Nutrition
Anti-cancerous and Antimutagenic Activity
White tea has high epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and several other polyphenols in comparison to that green tea. Therefore, showed antimutagenic activity hence proving that the teas that undergo the least processing have high anticarcinogenic activity.
Improves Male Infertility in Type 2 Diabetes
A study done on animal models with Type – diabetes mellitus shows increased sperm quality. This is because of white increases glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
Weight Loss
White tea increases body metabolism due to the presence of antioxidants which aids in burning more calories and thus reducing weight.
Has a Positive Effect on Pregnancy
There is some evidence, specifically from a Scottish study, suggesting that the antioxidants in White Tea can offer cell protection from oxidative damage during pregnancy.
However, there are some health concerns worth noting before drinking this beverage while pregnant. Namely, its caffeine content (though less than other Teas) might pose a risk to unborn babies. This is because they’re unable to metabolize caffeine like the mother.
Furthermore, according to a 2007 article published in “Planta Medica”, the EGCG in White Tea can inhibit folic acid intake, a B vitamin that helps prevent congenital disabilities. If you have any concerns, it’s paramount you talk to a doctor.
Read More: Green Tea Benefits for Women’s Better Health
Reduce Cholesterol
White tea reduces bad cholesterol in the body due to the presence of Catechins.
Reduces Anxiety
Caffeine helps in increasing the activity of neurotransmitters and thus relaxes the body. White tea contains almost double the caffeine that of green tea, the presence of caffeine helps in relief from tension and headache.
Energy Booster
White tea because of its high caffeine content helps in increasing the energy level of the body. Studies showed that caffeine even helps in increasing concentration and work efficiency during the common cold.
May Help to Enhanced Memory
In the UK alone, an estimated 750,000 people suffer from conditions such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, with the number set to double in the next 40 years as Britain’s population ages. White Tea, meanwhile, has long been seen as a potential memory aid.
One Portuguese study determined that catechins in this beverage protect the brain from age-related memory decline. Another research project recognized how its regular consumption improved the health of the cerebral cortex in pre-diabetic rats, suggesting it could achieve similar results in humans.
Immunity Booster
Due to the high antioxidants in white tea, it helps in boosting the immune system and prevents the body from various types of bacteria and viruses and protects from infections.
Prevents Tooth Decay
Like yellow tea white tea also contains fluoride (F). Hence consuming tea containing fluoride in permissible quantity helps in healthy teeth and proper development of bones and thus preventing osteoporosis, and osteosclerosis.
Anti-aging Effect
Research published in Plant food for Human Nutrition established that white tea exerts neuroprotection action against hydrogen peroxide toxicity by the antioxidant mechanism through reactive oxygen species in the PC12 cell line hence increasing the longevity of cells.
One Cup of Brewed White Tea Nutrition Contains
- Calories: 0
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
While white tea may not have any macronutrients (nutrients such as fat or protein that our body needs in large amounts), it does contain many antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins.
White Tea Side Effects
High Blood Pressure
White tea as for its caffeine content may cause high blood pressure on consuming excessively. As caffeine is released norepinephrine further results in vasoconstriction and hence causes increase heart rate and high blood pressure.
Osteoporosis
Excess white tea consumption accumulates caffeine in the body further increasing the risk of bladder hence decrease calcium absorption by bone because of the overexertion of calcium through urine. Decrease calcium absorption leads to osteoporosis. The condition gets worse for people who are suffering from glaucoma.
Affects Premenstrual Symptoms (PMS)
Excessive consumption of white may lead to premenstrual symptoms in women it also increases the risk of diabetes by secretion of insulin.
White Tea May Contain High Caffeine
In a comparative study of caffeine content in five different types of tea that are green tea, black tea, white tea, yellow tea, and oolong tea published in the Czech Journal of Food Science it was found that white tea contains higher caffeine. There is a misnomer of having low caffeine in white tea but research (9) done on its caffeine expression gene it was observed that younger leaf and shade-grown leaf showed the highest secretion of caffeine.
High Fluoride
White tea is most minimally processed than other types of teas, therefore, showed the highest fluoride accumulation in leaves. White tea contains 356 mg/Kg Flouride compared to green tea (309.1 mg/Kg), black tea (332.2 mg/Kg), yellow tea (314.6 mg/Kg), oolong tea(312.6 mg/Kg), and dark tea (305.3 mg/Kg).
Drinking tea daily is good for health but there is also a limit. According to WHO fluoride in permissible quantity (0.05 mg/day/kg Bone weight) is good for healthy teeth and bone but excessive results in fluorosis, which is dental mottling and skeletal manifestations such as crippling deformities, osteoporosis, and osteosclerosis.
Pregnancy Complications
Due to the presence of caffeine, it will be advisable not to consume too much white tea during pregnancy
Anxiety
Frequent consumption of white tea increases the habit of caffeine intake such a case is known as caffeine addiction. Caffeine addiction further leads to anxiety and insomnia.
How to Prepare White Tea
We should check the quality of white tea before preparation. Use pointed leaf-shaped white tea only for better results. The preparation of white tea is very simple and easy like any other tea.
Ingredients
- Hot water (200-300 ml)
- White tea (tea bag or 5 g loose tea)
- Sweetener (honey or sugar)
Steps
- Take a cup filled with hot water, add tea (tea bag) and allow to steep depending on how strong you want then stir with sweetener.
- Boil water with loose tea (5 g) time of boiling depends upon how strong you want then cover it for 1 to 2 min thereafter strain the tea and add sweetener as per your taste.
FAQ
Can you drink white tea everyday?
Drinking a few cups of white tea every day can have a positive effect on your overall health. Along with the traditional health benefits of tea on your immune system, white tea can help prevent serious diseases such as cancer and heart attacks while keeping hair, skin and teeth healthy.
Is white tea healthier than green tea?
While both contain the same powerful combination of antioxidants, trace minerals and nutrients, white tea contains a higher number of antioxidants than green tea, which gives it a slight edge of superiority when it comes to health benefits.
What does white tea do for your skin?
Being a source of antioxidant white tea can help in preventing acne. It can also aid clearing out the existing acne by flushing out the toxins from the body. Rejuvenate your skin: Consumption of white tea can make your skin look fresh as it works as a stress buster.
Does white tea help you sleep?
Of course, caffeinated teas, such as black tea, white tea, and caffeinated green tea, should be avoided late at night, but there is some evidence that drinking certain herbal teas before bed can help facilitate sleep.
