White tea and its benefits
White tea is obtained from the tenderest buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant which exhibit villi of a colour between silver and white. Among the teas, it is the one that takes less time to process, since it is only left to dry in the sun and air, and its leaves are not rolled. So, it preserves all the nutrients from the plant.
Currently this tea is grown and harvested only in China, mainly from the Fujian mountains and has been regarded as one of the most effective antioxidants. It has a distinguished and pleasant mild flavor, and its color is very pale.
There are many varieties of white tea, and each of them has its own merits, however, in general this tea is of a very high quality.
Antioxidant Power
Like most teas, white tea is rich in health-giving properties, however, its uniqueness goes beyond its subtle and delicate flavor. Compared to other teas, it contains higher amounts of polyphenols and antioxidants. Interestingly, it turns out that this tea contains less protein, even less than green tea.
Polyphenols are an antioxidant compound which protect the body against the effects of free radicals: In addition, these compounds stimulate the immune system and because white tea is rich in antioxidants, people say it can combat ageing too.
White tea: Anti-cancer tea
Among polyphenols, catechins are also found in white tea, which in turn are flavonoids and according to some research, contain anticancer properties. Due to the fact that they fight free radicals, they are thought to lower the risk of cancer.
Health Benefits
The emperors of ancient China called white tea "the elixir of immortality" because of its many benefits. Some of them are as follows:
- A mild diuretic effect that helps remove fats and liquids.
- It is rich in fluoride which is beneficial for teeth.
- As previously discussed, thanks to its antioxidant content white tea helps boost the body's defenses, fights ageing and prevents the onset of cancer.
- It is good for your memory, concentration and increases overall energy.
- Helps lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
It is important to consume white tea regularly to enjoy its many benefits, so it is recommended to drink around three cups a day.
Cosmetic Uses
The benefits don’t end there, today it has become a very popular ingredient for cosmetic purposes, so that its antioxidant properties can be implemented by many brands in their products, such as smoothing creams, facial and body lotions, among others.
However, we can also use white tea to take care of our beauty, using a direct tea tea infusion.
You can soak a cotton ball in white tea infusion and wipe your skin just after it has been exfoliated in order to close the pores and leave your skin smoother and more illuminated.
Warnings
Despite having a low-protein content, white tea is not generally recommended for people suffering from nervous or anxious dispositions because it contains substances called xanthines which exert a stimulating effect on the nervous system. As previously mentioned above, white tea can be useful for people who need a boost in their concentration, but it is ill-advised for those suffering from nervousness. It is clear that xanthines are not harmful, except in the case of nervous or anxious people.
Another consideration you should keep in mind is if you suffer high blood pressure, as white tea may have a direct effect increasing it. To this end, consumption is not recommended if you suffer from high blood pressure.