Oolong Tea: Nutrition, Benefits, Side-Effects and How To Use

Posted on the 09 May 2021 by Vishal Kaushik @HR_Gabru

In the context of India, the practice of normal milk or black tea is quite high. However, now many individuals are also showing interest towards other types of tea that make health a priority. There is also a name of oolong tea in it.

Oolong tea may be new to many people. So in this article, we are going to discuss about the benefits of drinking oolong tea as well as giving information about how oolong tea can be used.

However, it is important to note that the health benefits of oolong tea can help to reduce the effects of the problems being reported, but this tea is not a cure for these problems.

Is Oolong Tea Good for You?

According to a scientific study, like green and black tea, oolong tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is used as a beverage. However, unlike green and black tea, oolong tea is half-fermented. It is made from withers, crushed and partially oxidized leaves. In this way, oolong tea has many medicinal properties of the tea plant, due to which it is considered good for health.

Medicinal properties present in oolong tea are as follows:

  • Anti-Obesity
  • Anti-cancer (reducing cancer risk)
  • Antidiabetic (blood sugar reducer)
  • Antioxidant (free radical destroyer)
  • Cardioprotective (cardiovascular protection)
  • Anti-inflammatory (inflammation suppressant)

Oolong Tea Nutritional Profile:

According to Food Data Central, per 100 grams of oolong tea contains:

  • 0.21 mg manganese
  • 0.06 mg niacin (vitamin B3)
  • 0.15 gram carbohydrates
  • 12 mg potassium
  • 0.01 mg zinc
  • 1 mg magnesium
  • 3 mg sodium
  • 1 mg of phosphorus
  • 1 mg calcium
  • 99.84 gram water
  • 16 mg caffeine; and
  • 2 mg theobromine.

Health Benefits of Oolong Tea:

In this section of the article, we are talking about the benefits of drinking oolong tea. Before knowing them, keep in mind that the benefits of oolong tea can be effective in reducing the symptoms of the problems mentioned below. Benefits include:

1. Energy Powerhouse:

Like other teas, oolong tea also contains caffeine. In this case, the consumption of caffeine can help to increase energy in the body. Keep in mind that do not consume it excessively, or else its negative effects (restlessness, nausea and vomiting) can also come out.

2. Keep The Heart Healthy:

The benefits of drinking oolong tea can be seen to keep the heart healthy. A study found that people who consume coffee, green tea and oolong tea or caffeine may have a lower risk of death from heart disease.

Not only this, some studies conducted in Japan and China on this subject have revealed that the consumption of oolong tea can also reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular problems. However, further research on this topic still needs to be done to understand the usefulness of oolong tea related to the heart.

3. Reduces Obesity:

Traditionally, oolong tea has been confirmed to have anti-obese and hypolipidemic or cholesterol-lowering effects. Because of this, intake of oolong tea can be effective in obesity and fatty liver problems.

According to an another research, oolong tea can reduce the amount of body fat. As well as lipid metabolism may help to control body weight to improve. As such, it can be speculated that the benefits of oolong tea may be beneficial in controlling obesity. However, it is not entirely possible to lose weight solely by relying on oolong tea. Some changes in diet and lifestyle are also necessary to lose weight.

4. Reduces The Risk of Cancer:

A Chinese study found that regular tea intake may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women. This research also includes mention of oolong tea. Apart from the benefits of green tea, the benefits of oolong tea can be helpful in preventing the spread of breast cancer cells.

It can also act as a chemo-preventive agent in the case of breast cancer. On this basis, it can be assumed that the intake of oolong tea can be beneficial for cancer patients. However, it is also important to understand that cancer is a fatal disease, the treatment of which depends on the medical consultation.

5. Reduced Risk of Diabetes:

Health benefits of oolong tea can also be seen to prevent serious problems like diabetes. Oolong tea has anti-hyperglycemic (blood sugar lowering) effect, which may be effective in the prevention of diabetes.

According to this research, the anti-hyperglycemic effect of oolong tea may be beneficial for the people with type-2 diabetes. On the basis of this, it would not be wrong to say that intake of oolong tea can help in controlling blood sugar.

6. Oolong Tea for Blood Pressure:

The intake of oolong tea can also be very beneficial for those who have high blood pressure. According to a research held in China, individuals who consumed 120 ml or more of green or oolong tea daily for one year were found to have a lower risk of hypertension.

As such, it can be hypothesized that intake of oolong tea may be beneficial for reducing blood pressure. In addition, an another study also confirms that oolong tea has blood pressure lowering effect. On this basis, it can be assumed that the intake of oolong tea can help to improve hypertension.

7. Boosts Immunity:

Oolong tea can also be used as a way to boost immunity, in which its theasinensin-A (a type of polyphenol flavonoid) element may be beneficial. Indeed, theasinensin-A may help to exhibit physical anti-inflammatory effects as well as enhance physical immunity.

8. Oolong Tea for A Healthy Brain:

The health benefits of oolong tea can also be seen here. According to a research, consumption of oolong, green and black tea can help in the brain development. Not only the brain, but the effect of oolong tea can also help in relieving stress problem.

GABA or gamma aminobutyric acid (a type of amino acid) present in oolong tea plays a vital role in this regard. At the moment, further research is still needed to prove this.

9. Benefits of Oolong Tea for Skin:

The benefits of drinking oolong tea can be useful not only for health, but also for the skin. Actually, this is revealed in a research done on eczema (itching, burning and rashes on the skin).

This research is believed to have anti-allergic properties due to the polyphenols present in this tea. Due to this property, oolong tea can help in relieving the problem of eczema.

10. Benefits of Oolong Tea for Hair:

Oolong tea can have benefits not only as a skin but also as a way to make hair healthier.

According to a study, it is also used to make cosmetics, including hair products, due to the various biological components present in tea extracts. According to the research, hair extracts prepared from tea extracts can reduce the problem of cosmetic androgenic alopecia and hair loss.

Indeed, polyphenols, essential oils and caffeine present in tea leaves may prevent dihydrotestosterone (a hormone that is helpful in hair growth) from being converted to testosterone.

On the other hand, oolong tea is also prepared from tea leaves. Because of this, the benefits of oolong tea can be considered helpful in reducing the problem of hair loss or baldness due to hormonal changes.

How to Use Oolong Tea?

Its properties can be taken advantage of by using oolong tea in the methods described below. You can make oolong tea directly and drink it. We're sharing below how to make oolong tea.

How to Make Oolong Tea:

Material:

  • An oolong tea bag
  • A cup of water

Recipe:

  • First of all heat the water. Now pour this water in a cup.
  • Then put the oolong tea bag into it.
  • After two to three minutes, drink this tea.

Other Ways to Use Oolong Tea:

  • Oolong tea can also be consumed with lemon.
  • Oolong tea can also be applied on hair.
  • You can wash your face with oolong tea in the morning.

How Much To Drink (Recommended Intake):

Like mango tea, oolong tea can be consumed in one to two cups a day. However, the amount of taking it may also depend on the age and physical condition of the person. In such a situation, before taking it in regular use, please consult a doctor or an expert.

Oolong Tea, Black Tea, Green Tea or White Tea: Which is The Best?

Oolong Tea Vs. Black Tea Vs. Green Tea Vs. White Tea:

It is very difficult to decide which is the best tea out of oolong tea, black tea, green tea or white tea. Each tea has its own distinct characteristics. In the same article, we have already told that in general all types of teas are made from the leaves of Camellia Sinensis plant. For this reason, the medicinal properties of all types of tea can be almost the same.

At the same time, we have also mentioned in the article that oolong tea is half-fermented different from green and black tea. In this case, it may have more nutritional properties than other teas. On this basis, it can be said that oolong tea can be more effective than black tea, green tea or white tea.

However, green tea contains more catechin than black and oolong tea. Because of this it can be considered more effective for conditions such as aging, Alzheimer's and diabetes. In such a situation, it can be said that each tea has its own special utility.

Side-Effects of Oolong Tea:

If something is good, then it also has some disadvantages. Here're some side-effects of oolong tea:

  • However, oolong tea may help to reduce the risk of diabetes. But, its excessive use may increase the risk of diabetes. Therefore, diabetic patients should consume it only through medical consultation.
  • Collagen is present in oolong tea. In such cases, excessive intake can cause side-effects such as frequent urination, vomiting, nausea, restlessness and insomnia.
  • Consuming excessive amounts of caffeine through oolong tea can also cause high blood pressure problems.
  • As such, pregnant women have no problem in taking caffeine (less than 200 mg per day). But it is better to avoid oolong tea if you are pregnant or lactating women.

Take Away

We hope that readers have got more and more information about oolong tea from this article. By using oolong tea in the right way, a person can get its ultimate health benefits. Also, while using it, people should not get into the misconception that this tea will work like a magic. Oolong tea can be used to reduce the effects and symptoms of health problems described in the article, but it will take some time to show its effect.

At the same time, the important thing is that for any serious problem, do not rely only on home remedies, give priority to medical treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q. Can I drink oolong tea everyday?

A. Like normal tea or green tea, oolong tea can be consumed daily. However, limit its quantity to one or two cups.

Q. Can drinking oolong tea reduce stomach fat?

A. Yes, the anti-obese property of oolong tea can help in weight loss. On this basis, oolong tea can also be considered effective as a way to reduce abdominal fat.

Q. Can you drink oolong tea at night?

A. Oolong tea can also be consumed at night. Actually, this may be a better solution for those who want to lose weight. The reason is that the amount of caffeine present in oolong tea affects energy metabolism by increasing the heart rate. Because of this, the body continues to consume energy even at bedtime. It also has no effect on sleep.

Q. Is it good to take oolong tea with milk?

A. Yes, you can also use milk to make oolong tea. However, for health benefits it is recommended to take it without milk.

Q. Does oolong tea not contain caffeine content?

A. Naturally, there is 16 milligrams of caffeine per 100 grams of oolong tea. However, oolong teas prepared from decaffeinated polyphenol extracts also occur. So in the market, you can also buy oolong tea without caffeine.

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