All tea is made from the same plant: camellia sinensis. Black, white, green and even oolong tea are all created based on how the leaves are processed. Most teas will have similar antioxidant properties; it's the quantity you drink and the way you drink it which counts. Oolong tea in a pure form can help speed up your body's metabolism resulting in weight loss. Care should be taken not to drink excessive tea, as it can work as a diuretic and laxative, which helps you lose weight but is also linked to dehydration.
Geography
In an article published on the website People.com, research studies show that while 78 percent of tea drinkers consume black tea and 20 percent green tea, only 2 percent consume oolong tea, and this consumption is mainly restricted to southeastern China. Taiwan's Formosa district is the leading producer of Oolong tea, and the tea produced here varies from that produced in China in its oxidation and firing process. Sri Lanka and India also produce small amounts of this tea. Recently, oolong tea has become popular in the West, especially for its weight-reducing properties.
Description
Oolong tea, or Wu Long tea as it is often referred to in China, is tea in which the leaves are processed directly after they are harvested. They are wilted in the sun and placed in baskets to bruise the leaves. The juices which result from the bruising are left exposed to the air to oxidize. They are the spread out to dry for two to four hours. After this, the tea is fired in a heating process carried out in a hot wok or similar equipment and left to cook till crisp. Oolong tea can be flavored with scents like those derived from the jasmine plant.
Oolong Tea for Weight Loss
Oolong tea is full of tannins, phytochemicals, caffeine, L-theanine amino acids and other trace compounds which boost overall health. Prepared simply with boiled water, it is free of calories and contains a negligible percentage of carbohydrates. Regular consumption speeds up metabolism thanks to high concentration levels of polymerized polyphenol being present, which when combined with exercise can help you to burn more calories. The polyphenols also activate enzymes which are responsible for dissolving triglycerides. Triglycerides are the chemical form of most fats which exist in both food and body, and the body gets rid of them through exercise or the consumption of certain foods.
Preparation
Oolong tea is prepared depending on the kind of tea that's being consumed. Lighter teas like those with Jasmine flavor can be steeped for shorter amounts of time--two to five minutes. Darker oolong teas like Wuyi can be steeped for longer, up to seven minutes. Oolong tea can be reused for multiple infusions, so you can enjoy a single tea bag for many pots of tea. To prepare a perfect pot of oolong tea, add 1.5 to 2 teaspoons leaves per 6-ounce cup. Use filtered or spring water where possible and bring the water to a light boil till the temperature reaches around 195 degrees F. Do not over-boil. Steep leaves according to package instruction.
Side Effects And Warnings
In a bid to lose weight, dieters may over consume oolong tea with negative results. Oolong tea is not ideal for those who are sensitive to caffeine, and it may cause restlessness, nausea, upset stomach and heart palpitations. You may be able to reduce the side effects by limiting your intake to 6 cups per day, using loose leaves as opposed to teabags and throwing away the first brew, which is the strongest.
Other Health Benefits
According to the website AmazingGreenTea.com, oolong tea is the subject of a number of ongoing research studies, which show it is high in antioxidants. It also reduces the concentration of triglycerides leading to lower cholesterol levels and an increase in plasma adiponectin levels, which may help prevent diabetes and coronary disease. It can also be used to treat recalcitrant AD, which is a common cause of eczema. Oolong tea might also inhibit the enzyme activities of the bacteria streptococci, which is a leading cause of dental decay.
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