Tea Facts – Page 2

White tea is a type of tea made from the leaves of the Camellia synesis plant. White tea is not the same as green tea, which is also known as "black tea" in the United States. Green tea contains less caffeine than white tea. Green tea has more antioxidants than white tea, but it is not known whether these differences in antioxidant content are due to differences in processing or due to differences in the composition of green and white teas. It has been suggested that white teas contain compounds which may inhibit the breakdown of fat (lipogenesis) and may reduce weight gain during periods of food restriction. White tea is commonly consumed as an alternative to black tea, and this study is the first to examine whether the consumption of white tea may reduce body weight. The Caffeine Content in White Tea While every type of tea contains different amounts of caffeine, white tea contains less caffeine than green tea. The amount of caffeine in white tea varies depending on the variety of tea. White teas containing higher levels of caffeine are usually grown in China and Korea. White teas containing lower levels of caffeine are usually grown in Japan and Taiwan. A study was conducted to determine the level of caffeine in different types of white tea. The levels of caffeine ranged from 5 mg/100 g to 16 mg/100 g, which is approximately one-third the amount found in green tea (19-30 mg/100 g). This study examined white teas grown in China and Japan, but it is possible that some other types of white teas would contain similar amounts of caffeine or less. The content of antioxidants was also measured in this study. The antioxidants found in the different types of white teas ranged from 20 to 200 times more than that found in green tea (approximately 200-500 mg/100 g). This shows that the content of antioxidants in white teas is much higher than that found in green tea. Benefits of White Tea The antioxidant content of white tea is about 200 times higher than that of green tea. The higher antioxidant content of white tea may have beneficial effects on the body. Antioxidants may prevent damage to cells caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and DNA in the body. They are formed during normal metabolism, but they can also be formed when foods or other substances react with oxygen. When free radicals damage cells, this may lead to cancer and other diseases. The consumption of antioxidants may reduce the risk of developing these diseases. Here are several benefits of consuming white tea Weight Loss It has been suggested that white teas contain compounds which may inhibit the breakdown of fat (lipogenesis) and may reduce weight gain during periods of food restriction. By reducing the amount of fat which is stored in the body, white tea may help people to lose weight. One study showed that drinking 2 cups of white tea (100 ml) per day for 6 weeks decreased the amount of fat in the body by about 1.5% (approximately 3 kg). The researchers speculated that this effect was due to an increase in the amount of fat burning (lipolysis) in the body caused by white tea. Anti-aging White tea is also beneficial for anti-aging. The antioxidants in white tea may help to prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the body. Collagen and elastin are proteins which help to maintain skin elasticity and protect it from aging. Prevention of Heart Disease White tea contains many compounds which may help to prevent heart disease. These compounds include: catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and polyphenols. Catechins may reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which may lower the risk of developing heart disease. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may increase the activity of enzymes that control cholesterol metabolism, and it may lower blood cholesterol levels. Polyphenols found in white tea may prevent free radicals from damaging the walls of blood vessels (endothelial cells). This reduces the risk of heart disease by reducing damage to these cells caused by free radicals. Reducing Blood Pressure It has been suggested that white tea may reduce blood pressure by lowering blood cholesterol levels and by reducing blood pressure. White tea contains many compounds which may lower blood cholesterol levels, and these compounds may also lower blood pressure. Anti-Cancer Effects Several studies have shown that drinking green tea or other types of teas reduces the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including: oesophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma). One study showed that drinking white tea extract (about 100 ml per day) for 12 weeks may reduce the risk of developing skin cancer in women. White Tea vs Green Tea While green tea is generally more common than white tea, the two types of tea are similar in many ways. Both types of tea contain polyphenols and catechins, which may have beneficial effects on the body. Green tea contains less caffeine than white tea, but this does not mean that green tea is healthier than white tea. In fact, there is some evidence that green tea may be worse for your health than white tea. It is not known whether the health benefits of green and white teas are due to differences in composition or to differences in processing. Conclusion A person who drinks white tea may experience benefits similar to those found in green tea, but it is not known whether these benefits are due to the presence of caffeine or other compounds in white teas rather than by some other effect produced by white teas or by foods containing high levels of antioxidants or similar substances. It is possible that consuming other types of teas such as green and black teas may have similar effects on the body, but this has not been studied.