There is nothing more relaxing as a cup of warm tea at the end of a long day at work. Tea flavors are various comprising of black, green, white, and Oolong. Oolong tea is not so common. It accounts for only 2% of the consumption of tea worldwide. It provides numerous health benefits with its rich nutrients.
Oolong tea and its significance
Oolong tea originates from the leaves of the plant. Though other variants of tea like green and black ones originate from the same plant, the main difference lies in the levels of oxidation and the method of preparation.
Oolong tea is permitted to oxidize, while the green tea is not. Black tea is oxidized, which gives it a black color.
Oolong tea has a mild taste, unlike black tea, which can be a little bitter. The flavor of oolong tea can vary from dark and rich to light and crisp, depending on the process of the creator. When you pick a particular tea also plays an important role. The tea that you harvest in spring has a fresh, springy taste. The tea that you select in winter has a more mature roasted flavor.
History
Oolong tea originated during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 7907) in the Biyun region of the Phoenix Mountain in Fujian Province. It was first known as Baiyun Tea, and because of its unique flavor, it was the first tea that was made a tribute tea in the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279).
During this time when the government officials, scholar, and monks began immigrating to the Fujian area, they were impressed with the 'earth-stone' taste of this tea from the Wuyi Mountains region. This tea came to be known as the Wuyi tea or the cliff tea.
Hearing about this beautiful Wuyi tea, the Emperor sent an un-fermented compressed Green Tea cake to Wuyi and asked for tribute tea. He received Dragon Phoenix Compressed Tea.
Oolong tea was a tribute all-over the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644 to 1911). Oolong tea introduced to the Northern Fujian region and Taiwan in 1796. Today these areas are well known for its distinctive Oolong teas.
Nutrients
Oolong tea contains flavonoids, caffeine, theanine, and fluoride. Many of Oolong tea's health benefits are due to the presence of catechins, a particular type of flavonoid. Oolong tea also contains antioxidants like theaflavins, the origins, and EGCG. One cup of brewed Oolong tea contains:
Caffeine: 36 mg
Fluoride: 5 to 24% of the RDI
Manganese: 26% of the RDI
Potassium: 1% of the RDI
Sodium: 1% of the RDI
Magnesium: 1% of the RDI
Niacin: 1% of the RDI
Health benefits
1. Reduces the risk of heart disease
According to a study from Japan, Oolong tea consumption reduces the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease.
Oolong tea also helps to stop the progression of atherosclerosis. During a study by Osaka City Medical School, 22 patients with coronary artery disease consumed 1000 ml oolong tea or water for one month. The patients that took oolong tea saw a significant decrease in the hardening and narrowing of arteries. Studies have also shown that drinking just one or two cups of Oolong tea can reduce the risk of ischemic stroke.
Habitual Oolong tea consumption (120ml/day for one year) can also significantly reduce the risk of developing hypertension. Another study from China found that consumption of Oolong tea helps lower the risk of dyslipidaemia. The study found that oolong tea consumption for a long duration helps lower total cholesterol, TAG, and LDL cholesterol levels.
2. Helps prevent diabetes
Drinking Oolong tea on a regular basis is an easy way to prevent diabetes. According to a review of several studies, people who drank 720 ml of oolong tea per day had a 16% lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
During another study, when 20 type-2 diabetes patients took 1,500 ml of Oolong tea per day for 30 days, they had markedly lower concentrations of plasma glucose.
However, some other studies have shown different results, and one report even suggests that Oolong tea can increase diabetes risk.
3. Helps in weight loss
Oolong tea is considered the go-to drink for weight loss thanks to its antioxidant content. The polyphenols in Oolong tea induce thermogenesis, helping in improving metabolism. The catechins in Oolong tea also help suppress the production of new fat cells.
Oolong tea can decrease fat content and reduce body weight by improving lipid metabolism. Long term consumption of this tea can also prevent obesity.
4. Lowers cancer risk
Oolong tea also can help prevent certain types of cancers. This tea is rich in antioxidants like polyphenols and catechins, which are known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells caused by free radicals.
Several studies have shown that tea drinkers have a lower risk of developing oral, lung, oesophageal, pancreatic, liver, and colorectal cancer. Although most of this research is based on green and black tea, oolong tea also provides similar benefits. According to a study from Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan, Oolong tea also has an inhibitory effect on melanogenesis.
5. Improves brain function
The antioxidants found in Oolong tea improves memory and brain performance. According to a systematic review conducted by Swinburne University, Hawthorn, Australia, drinking tea containing caffeine and L-theanine, improves attention levels, visual information processing, alertness, and calmness.
EGCG, a polyphenol found in different types of tea, helps to improve the function of the hippocampus, a specific part of the brain linked to learning and memory. A 2010 study that involved 716 Chinese adults above 55 years showed that tea consumption leads to better cognitive performance. The protective effect of tea on cognitive function is not limited to a particular type of tea.
6. Lowers chronic inflammation
The antioxidants found in the food we eat are vital for removing free radicals that cause diseases. Dietary antioxidants are useful radio protectors playing an essential role in preventing diseases like cancer, atherosclerosis, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, neuro-degeneration, and diabetes.
The antioxidants present in oolong tea target specific inflammation-causing genes and signal them to reduce inflammation.
7. Keeps teeth and bones strong
Fluoride is added to drinking water, toothpaste, and mouthwash to prevent dental cavities. Oolong tea naturally contains fluoride, which helps to strengthen the tooth enamel.
Oolong tea also helps to keep the bones healthy. Tea contains chemical compounds such as caffeine, phytoestrogen, fluoride, which help to improve the bone mineral density. A study from Taiwan compared 502 habitual tea drinkers with a mean duration of tea consumption of 10 years with non-habitual tea drinkers. The researchers found that frequent tea drinking as a beneficial effect on the bone mineral density of the total body, lumbar spine, and hip region in adults.
8. Reduces stress
The polyphenols in oolong tea provide a feeling of calm and help reduce stress. Oolong tea contains L-theanine, which is known to influence psychological and physiological states under pressure.
L-theanine helps in stimulating the alpha waves in the brain, thus associated with a relaxed and focused state of mind. This tea, while containing caffeine, helps with a better focus.
9. Relieves Eczema
Eczema makes your skin red and itchy. Though there is no cure for this.
10. Helps indigestion
Oolong tea improves digestion. This tea thus by alkalizing the digestive tract and reduces inflammation in people. Its mild antiseptic properties help to clear out harmful bacteria. The smooth flavor thus soothes the stomach, if consumed hot.
Side effects
Oolong tea is safe for a drink. But if you have an allergy in caffeine, you should avoid this drink. Caffeine leads to anxiety, insomnia, and headaches if consumed in excess. The flavonoids in tea bind with iron found in plant foods and reduces their absorption. Research that young children who drank tea are more likely to have lower iron levels.
Over-all thoughts
Oolong tea, a partially oxidized tea, comes from the leaves of the Camelia Sinensis plant. It consists of flavonoids, caffeine (although not as much as black tea), theanine, and fluoride while providing numerous health benefits. It aids in lowering heart disease, cancer, obesity, prevent diabetes, while reducing inflammation, increasing cognitive function, and improving skin and bone strength.
