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What Is White Tea?

White tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant just like black tea, green tea and oolong tea. It is one fo the five tea types that are called true teas. Before the white tea leaves open, the buds are harvested for the production of white tea. These buds are usually covered by minuscule white hairs, which lend their name to tea. White tea is mainly harvested in the Fujian province of China, but there are also producers in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Thailand.

Oxidation

True teas all come from the leaves of the same plant, so the difference between teas is based on two things: the terroir (the region in which the plant is grown) and the production process.

One of the differences in the production process of each true tea is the amount of time the leaves are allowed to oxidize. Tea masters can roll, crush, roast, fire and steam leaves to aid in the oxidation process.

As mentioned, white tea is the most minimally processed of the true teas and thus doesn't undergo a long oxidation process. In contrast to the long oxidation process of black tea, which results in a dark, rich color, white teas simply wither and dry in the sun or a controlled environment to preserve the garden-fresh nature of the herb.

Flavor Profile

Since white tea is minimally processed, it features a delicate flavor profile with a soft finish and a pale yellow color. It has a slightly sweet flavor. When brewed properly, it doesn't have any bold or bitter taste. There are several different varietals, which have fruity, vegetal, spicy and floral hints.

Health Benefits of White Tea

1. Skin Health

Many people struggle with skin irregularities such as acne, blemishes and discoloration. While most of these skin conditions are not dangerous or life threatening, they're still annoying and can lower confidence. White tea can help you achieve an even complexion thanks to antiseptic and antioxidant properties.

A study by the Kinsington University in London showed that white tea can protect skin cells from damage induced by hydrogen peroxide and other factors. Antioxidant-rich white tea also helps eliminate free radicals that can lead to signs of premature aging including pigmentation and wrinkles. The anti-inflammatory properties of white tea antioxidants can also help to reduce redness and inflammation caused by skin diseases such as eczema or dandruff (1).

Since acne is often caused by pollution and free radical build-up, drinking a cup of white tea once or twice daily can clear up skin. Alternatively, white tea can be used as a cleansing wash directly on the skin. You can also place a white tea bag directly on any trouble spots to speed up healing.

A 2005 study by Pastore Formulations showed that white tea can be beneficial for people who suffer from skin conditions including rosacea and psoriasis. This can be contributed to the epigallocatechin gallate present in white tea which helps produce new cells in the epidermis (2).

White tea contains high amounts of phenols, which can strengthen both collagen and elastin lending a smoother, more youthful appearance to skin. These two proteins are vital in creating strong skin and preventing wrinkles and can be found in a variety of skincare products.

2. Cancer Prevention

Studies have shown the strong connection between true teas and the potential for preventing or treating cancer. While studies are not conclusive, the health benefits of drinking white tea are largely attributed to the antioxidants and polyphenols on tea. Antioxidants in white tea can help build RNA and prevent the mutation of genetic cells that leads to cancer.

A study in 2010 found that antioxidants in white tea were more effective in preventing cancer than green tea. Researchers used white tea extract to target lung cancer cells in the lab and results demonstrated dose-dependent cell death. While studies are ongoing, these results show that white tea may help stop the proliferation of cancer cells and even contribute to the death of mutated cells (3).

3. Weight Loss

For many people, losing weight goes beyond just making a New Year's resolution; it's a real struggle to shed pounds and live longer and healthier. Obesity is one of the leading contributors to a shorter life span and losing weight is increasingly at the top of people's priorities.

Drinking white tea can help you achieve your weight loss goals by helping your body absorb nutrients more efficiently and shed pounds more easily by speeding up metabolism. A 2009 German study found that white tea can help burn stored body fat while also preventing the formation of new fat cells. Catechins found in white tea can also speed up digestive processes and help with weight loss (4).

4. Hair Health

Not only is white tea good for skin, it can also help establish healthy hair. The antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate has been shown to enhance hair growth and prevent premature hair loss. EGCG has also shown promise when treating scalp skin diseases caused by bacteria that is resistant to common treatments (5).

White tea also naturally protects against sun damage, which can help keep hair from drying out in summer months. White tea can restore hair's natural shine and is best be used topically as a shampoo if you're looking to capitalize on shine.

5. Improves Calmness, Focus and Alertness

White tea has the highest concentration of L-theanine amongst the true teas. L-theanine is known for improving alertness and focus in the brain by inhibiting exciting stimuli that can lead to overactivity. By calming the stimuli in the brain, white tea can help you relax while also increasing focus (6).

This chemical compound has also shown positive health benefits when it comes to anxiety. L-theanine encourages the production of the neurotransmitter GABA, which has natural calming effects. The best part about drinking white tea is you can reap the benefits of increased alertness without the side effects of drowsiness or impairment that comes with prescription anxiety drugs.

White tea also contains a small amount of caffeine that can help jumpstart your day or offer a pick-me-up in the afternoon. On average, white tea contains about 28 mg of caffeine in every 8-ounce cup. That’s far less than the average 98 mg in a cup of coffee and slightly less than the 35 mg in green tea. With lower caffeine content, you can drink several cups of white tea per day without the negative effects that strong cups of coffee can have. You can have three or four cups a day and not worry about feeling jittery or having insomnia.

6. Oral Health

White tea has high levels of flavonoids, tannins and fluorides that help teeth stay healthy and strong. Fluoride is popularly known as a tool in preventing tooth decay and is often found in toothpastes. Both tannins and flavonoids help to prevent the buildup of plaque that can cause tooth decay and cavities (7).

White tea also boasts antiviral and antibacterial properties that help keep teeth and gums healthy. To get the tooth health benefits of white tea, aim to drink two to four cups per day and re-steep tea bags to extract all of the nutrients and antioxidants.

7. Help Treat Diabetes

Diabetes is caused by genetic and lifestyle factors and is an increasing problem in the modern world. Fortunately, there are many ways to regulate and control diabetes and white tea is one of them.

Catechins in white tea along with other antioxidants have been shown to help prevent or regulate Type 2 diabetes. White tea effectively acts to inhibit the activity of the enzyme amylase that signals glucose absorption in the small intestine.

In people with Type 2 diabetes, this enzyme breaks down starches into sugars and can lead to blood sugar spikes. Drinking white tea can help regulate those spikes by blocking the production of amylase.

In a 2011 Chinese study, scientists found that regular consumption of white tea lowered blood glucose levels by 48 percent and increased insulin secretion. The study also showed that drinking white tea helped to alleviate polydipsia, which is a severe thirst caused by diseases such as diabetes (8).

8. Reduces Inflammation

The catechins and polyphenols in white tea boast anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve minor aches and pains. A Japanese animal study published in the MSSE Journal showed that catechins found in white tea aided in quicker muscle recovery and less muscle damage (9).

White tea also improves circulation and delivers oxygen to the brain and organs. Because of this, white tea is effective in treating minor headaches and aches and pains from working out.