Oolong tea is a very important source of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. We’ll inform you more about its advantages here.
Oolong tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, the identical as black and green tea. In truth, it’s certainly one of the six major kinds of tea constituted of this species. It’s also often known as “blue tea” and is a semi-fermented variety that stands out for its flavor, aroma, and dietary qualities.
A review shared by Food Science and Human Wellness details that only 2% of all tea produced worldwide corresponds to this Chinese tea. And although its major consumers are in Taiwan, it’s gained popularity in countries reminiscent of the USA, Japan, and India. What advantages are attributed to it? Discover!
How is oolong tea produced?
Oolong tea is one of the crucial popular traditional Chinese teas. Like green tea and black tea, it’s obtained from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis species; nevertheless, its major difference lies in the best way it’s produced, which barely changes its dietary composition and organoleptic qualities.
To grasp this, we must talk concerning the oxidation process. It is a chemical response that happens when leaves are exposed to air. Within the case of green tea, production is constituted of fresh leaves which have not undergone this process.
Meanwhile, black tea is a very oxidized variety. The leaves are crushed and withered within the sun until they acquire their characteristic shade. Hence, it’s considered a fermented variety.
Within the case of oolong tea, the airing and drying time is partial. In other words, it’s in between green tea and black tea.
As a result of a moderate level of oxidation, its color and aroma differ. Meanwhile, the flavour can vary from floral to grassy and from sweet to roasted, depending on its degree of oxidation.
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Dietary composition of oolong tea
Oolong tea stands out for being an abundant source of antioxidant compounds.
As stated in a publication within the journal Molecules magazine, it concentrates polyphenols reminiscent of theaflavins, thearubigins, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), that are linked to lots of its positive health effects.
As for other nutrients, it provides calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, B vitamins, and vitamin C. Nonetheless, these are very small amounts that should not very relevant relating to meeting the day by day requirements.
Meanwhile, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) details that its caffeine content per 100 grams is 38 milligrams. That is higher than that of green tea, which provides 29 mg per 100 grams.
It’s estimated that a cup of oolong tea (prepared with about 2 grams of leaves per 250 milliliters of water) provides only 2.4 calories. It comprises no protein, fat, sugar or fiber. Its carbohydrate intake is barely 0.36 grams.
How is oolong tea prepared?
As a result of its popularity lately, oolong tea is accessible in almost any health food store or herbalist’s store. It will possibly be found pre-packaged in tea bags, or in loose leaves.
When preparing it, it’s advisable to make use of water that’s at boiling point (about 90 degrees Celsius). When the water breaks right into a boil and the temperature is just too high, the quantity of antioxidants is reduced and the flavour may change.
A useful tip is to brew the tea in hot water and let it cool for 10 to quarter-hour for higher concentration.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of loose oolong tea leaves (2-3 grams). A tea bag could be used as a substitute.
- 1 cup of water (250 milliliters).
make it
- Heat the water, without letting it boil.
- After that, add the oolong tea in loose leaves or in a tea bag.
- Filter it for 3 minutes.
- Then, let it steep for one more 10 minutes before drinking.
Potential health advantages of oolong tea
Much of the results of oolong tea are related to its antioxidant content. These substances have the flexibility to guard cells against free radicals, molecules related to premature aging, and an increased risk of disease. Listed below are its major advantages.
1. It will possibly reduce your risk of diabetes
The anti-diabetic potential of oolong tea is attributed to its polyphenol content. A review shared through the journal Antioxidants suggests that its consumption may protect against diabetes mellitus and its associated complications.
Specifically, evidence suggests that it improves insulin resistance, prompts the insulin signaling pathway, combats oxidative stress, and reduces the inflammatory response, which is vital to the control of high glucose.
Research shared within the journal Molecules reported similar findings. In response to the publication, catechins, theaflavins, and polysaccharides contained on this tea have helpful effects on type 2 diabetes.
It is because they assist mitigate oxidative stress, improve endolethal dysfunction, modulate cytokine expression, and improve insulin resistance. Additionally they reduce complications related to hyperglycemia and strengthen immune functions.
2. It supports weight reduction
Included within the framework of a healthy and balanced weight-reduction plan, oolong tea can function a support to promote weight reduction. These effects should not only linked to its antioxidant activity, but in addition to its ability to reinforce enzyme inhibition and modulate the intestinal microbiota.
In a review reported within the journal Molecules researchers determined that the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in oolong tea, in addition to its polyphenol metabolites, have weight loss-promoting properties.
But greater than its antioxidant effect and bioavailability, these qualities are related to the modulation of the gut microbiota. The interaction between digested non-residual carbohydrates and tea polyphenols helps the generation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), that are key to maintaining a healthy gut.
Evidence associates weight reduction with gut microbiota diversity and decreased intestinal permeability.
3. It helps look after cardiovascular health
The polyphenols contained in oolong tea are linked to several positive effects on cardiovascular health. They contribute to the breakdown of excess cholesterol and triglycerides, lipid substances that may cause thickening and clogging of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
In a population-based study shared by the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers linked prolonged consumption of oolong tea to a lower risk of dyslipidemia (elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, or each). Meanwhile, research shared by the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health associated oolong tea intake with a 61% reduction in the chance of heart problems.
Other relevant effects are related to the reduction of hypertension and the risk of ischemic heart disease. A study within the journal Nutrients suggests that tea and its secondary metabolites have antihypertensive effects by aiding in smooth muscle rest, reduction of vascular inflammation, generation of nitric oxide, and inhibition of oxidative stress.
4. Oolong tea Contributes to cognitive health
Due to its content of L-theanine, caffeine, and antioxidants, oolong tea aids in cognitive health care. These substances act as brain stimulants and are related to the prevention of age-related cognitive decline.
In research shared by Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers determined that the habit of consuming tea may help prevent memory loss and associative learning by affecting the amount of the posterior corpus callosum.
One other study reported by BMC Nutrition reported that higher tea consumption is related to higher performance on measures of focused and sustained attention and psychomotor speed tasks within the elderly.
Although more studies are lacking regarding these advantages, evidence points to oolong tea helping to enhance mood, increase attention, and reduce the chance of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
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5. It has anti-tumor potential
A lot of the studies on the anticancer effects of tea have been conducted with green tea and black tea. It’s possible that oolong tea, being in between the 2, could have similar effects.
Specifically, antioxidant compounds reminiscent of polyphenols have been found to assist decrease cell mutations that may result in the event of cancer. To be more precise, studies associate their consumption with decreased risk of lung, esophageal, liver, and colorectal cancers.
For now, more human studies are needed to judge these properties. And although the tea’s chemopreventive qualities are recognized, its consumption is preventive and merely complementary.
Other possible advantages of oolong tea
Normally, teas derived from the species Camellia sinensis species-including oolong tea-are linked to other health advantages. Related studies are still ongoing; nevertheless, the evidence gathered to date has been sufficient to label it as a “functional food”.
- It aids in bone strengthening. A study shared in Osteoporosis International found that tea consumption helps reduce the chance of osteoporosis, especially in women and older adults. Catechins, theorubigins, and theaflavins were classified as osteoprotectants.
- It contributes to dental care. The fluoride present in oolong tea is related to the prevention of dental cavities. As well as, it appears to assist reduce the formation of dental plaque and gingivitis.
- It has skincare advantages. The abundant concentration of antioxidants in oolong tea helps inhibit the negative effects of free radicals, which in turn are related to premature skin aging. Also they are considered helpful in cases of eczema and sunburn.
Safety and risks of oolong tea
A moderate consumption of oolong tea is taken into account protected for most individuals.
Nonetheless, it shouldn’t be ignored that it comprises caffeine, so excessive intake isn’t advisable. This stimulant substance is linked to uncomfortable side effects, reminiscent of headache, insomnia, and heart rhythm disturbances.
Intake of as much as 400 mg of caffeine is taken into account protected. It will take about 2 liters of oolong tea to exceed this amount. Thus, normally terms, it’s a protected food.
Cautious consumption is advisable in the next cases:
- Young children
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Kidney diseases
- Patients with arterial hypertension
- Individuals with anxiety and depression
- Patients with diagnosed osteoporosis
In all these cases, it’s advisable to seek the advice of your doctor before taking this drink, especially when you are taking medication. As with other herbal products, there’s a risk of interactions.
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What to recollect about oolong tea
Oolong tea is a wide range of semi-fermented tea that comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. It’s considered the intermediate between green tea and black tea, because it undergoes a partial oxidation process. Even so, they’re similar in dietary qualities.
Because it’s a source of polyphenols reminiscent of theaflavins, thearubigins, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), its consumption is related to cardioprotective, antitumor, antidiabetic, slimming, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.
Within the context of a balanced weight-reduction plan and a healthy lifestyle, its consumption can contribute to the prevention of diseases and the upkeep of a healthy weight. Two to 3 cups a day is taken into account protected. Would you prefer to try it?
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