What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Oolong Tea?

Oolong tea is a partially fermented tea that originated in China and Japan. Made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis, oolong tea contains flavenoids, antioxidants that neutralize harmful free radicals that we get from our environment. Flavenoids are responsible for the health benefits of tea.

Cancer

Because of the fermentation process, oolong tea contains specific types of antioxidants called thearubigin and theaflavin in higher levels than green tea. Antioxidants are particularly important in preventing cancer. A 2002 review in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" reports that antioxidants from tea bind directly to many carcinogens, which helps reduce the risk of cancer. Another study reported by the journal found that consuming 10 g of oolong tea in 1 liter improved the condition of patients with a non-tumor skin cancer lesion. Oolong tea was second only to green tea in its effectiveness against oxidation.

Tooth Decay

Oolong tea promotes oral health by inhibiting the bacteria that can cause tooth decay and oral cancers. It prevents the bacteria from sticking to the surface of your teeth and reduces bacterial acid production. Drinking oolong tea can also help prevent plaque buildup.

Heart Health

Drinking oolong tea regularly has been linked to lower risk of cardiovascular disease. According to a 2004 study in the "Archives of Internal Medicine," drinking two cups a day can reduce your risk of high blood pressure by 45 to 65 percent. Oolong tea can also reduce your cholesterol levels, according to a 2001 report by Dr. Masatoshi Nakano and colleagues at the Aichi Medical University Institute. Since cholesterol is linked to heart attacks, reducing cholesterol levels can reduce your risk of heart attacks.

Weight Loss

A 1999 study, published by researchers at Ehime University in Japan, reported oolong tea was able to prevent obesity and fatty liver in mice fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks. In 2001, another study published in "The Journal of Nutrition" reported that drinking oolong tea for three days increased energy expenditure and fat oxidation more than drinking the same amount of caffeinated water or water alone did. Oolong tea increases your metabolism so you burn more calories; speeds up lipolysis, the process which burns fat; and prevents you from absorbing fats in your diet.

Other Benefits

Drinking oolong tea has also been linked to lower blood sugar levels in diabetics, relief from atopic dermatitis and eczema, and decreased risk of kidney stones.