Oolong tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves, which are the same type of leaves used to make green, white and black tea. According to the Linus Pauling Institute website, the difference between oolong and these teas is the amount of time the Carmeillia sinensis leaves are allowed to ferment, or oxidize. Oolong tea leaves are oxidized longer than the leaves used for green and white teas but less than for black tea.
Heart Disease
Oolong tea possesses a significant amount of flavonoids, a plant-based compound with antioxidant properties. Flavonoids are commonly associated with cardiovascular health benefits. According to the Harvard Health Publications website, when you drink oolong tea, the flavonoids work to prevent oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol while, at the same time, promote the incidence of good, HDL cholesterol. This process can provide you with improved artery function to help prevent heart disease. The Harvard Health Publications website cites a Chinese study of oolong tea that demonstrated a 46 to 65 percent reduction in the risk of acquiring hypertension, or high blood pressure, in those who drank the beverage regularly as compared with those who did not drink any tea at all.
Blood Sugar
Oolong tea contains polyphenols, a type of antioxidant. According to the University of Texas Health Science Center website, these polyphenols are found specifically in oolong tea, but not in green or black tea, and may help to lower your blood sugar. According to a Taiwanese study cited by Dr. David Shafer, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas at Tyler, 20 participants drank 1 1/2 quarts of oolong tea per day to test its health benefits. The results demonstrated a reduction in the participant's blood sugar levels at a rate comparable to any blood sugar medications available at the time of the study. Dr. Shafer suggests more research be conducted before doctors make oolong tea a recommended source for lowering blood sugar in diabetic patients.
Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute website, oolong tea contains a specific group of antioxidants called catechins. Catechins may, in some instances, slow the growth of cancer cells. Animal studies have shown catechins to be effective cancer-fighting agents. They are able to fight free radicals before they cause cell damage as well as reduce the size of chemically induced tumors. Human studies, however, have shown opposing outcomes. Some studies show promising results where catechins in tea may help treat and prevent cancer, while others demonstrate no effectiveness. According to the National Cancer Center website, these disparities are most likely the result of environmental, dietary and lifestyle differences among the subjects studied.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute: Tea
- Harvard Health Publications: Benefit of drinking green tea: The proof is in -- drinking tea is healthy, says Harvard Women's Health Watch
- University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Tyler: Oolong tea: a drink to your health?
- National Cancer Institute: Tea and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet
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