What Are The Benefits Of Twinnings Oolong Tea?

Twinings oolong tea, like other oolong teas, is a semi-oxidized tea made from the same species of tea leaf as green and black teas: Camellia sinensis. Green tea is made from unoxidized tea leaves, whereas black tea comes from fully oxidized tea leaves. The leaves of oolong tea are left only until oxidization sets in on the outer edges of the leaves. Several studies have indicated potential benefits of oolong tea.

Energy and Hydration

Many people like to consume tea for energy. Oolong tea has an intermediate amount of caffeine compared to less caffeinated green tea and more caffeinated black tea. The more tea leaves oxidize, the more caffeine they contain, so oxidation levels vary among and within tea varieties. Some varieties of oolong are more oxidized than others. Caffeinated drinks can be dehydrating, but the relatively small amount of caffeine in oolong tea means that the dehydration risk is negligible except at very high consumption levels. One review of black tea studies from 1990 to 2004 showed that individuals avoided the health risks of excess caffeine consumption when they consumed fewer than eight cups of black tea per day. Twinings black tea has 34 mg of caffeine per serving, compared to at least double this amount for coffee, whereas Twinings oolong tea contains no more than 32 mg of caffeine per serving. Oolong tea can help you get your necessary daily fluid intake.

Diabetes Treatment

A 2003 study showed that Chinese oolong tea lowered concentrations of plasma glucose and fructosamine, components of blood sugar, in human subjects. The researchers chose Chinese oolong tea because it had a stronger fermentation than Taiwanese oolong tea, and strong fermentation improves beneficial polyphenol levels. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant. The researchers concluded that oolong tea may be an effective addition to other oral hypoglycemic agents to treat type 2 diabetes.

Coronary Artery Disease Treatment

A 2004 study published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice showed that oolong tea could reduce plasma adiponectin levels, hemoglobin A1c levels and plasma level low-density lipoprotein particle size, all factors in the progression of atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease. As a result, researchers suggested that oolong tea might be an effective adjunct treatment for atherosclerosis.

Cognitive Function Maintenance

A 2008 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that Chinese adults over age 55 who drank black or oolong tea showed less cognitive decline over time when compared to those who drank coffee or green tea. However, it's not clear what caused this difference in cognitive abilities.