Wu long tea --- sometimes referred to as oolong tea --- comes from the fermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Often promoted as a natural weight loss aid, wu long tea contains a variety of healthful compounds, such as flavanols and other antioxidants. While not proven to prevent or cure disease, wu long tea can be a healthy addition to your diet when consumed in moderation.
Identification
Camellia sinensis is the small shrub-like plant from which black, wu-long, green and white teas are produced. Wu long is a partially fermented variety whose leaves are more oxidized than green tea and less oxidized than black.
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, wu long tea contains healthful compounds known as flavanols and catechins in slightly larger amounts than green tea. Other compounds found in wu long tea include caffeine and fluoride.
Health Benefits
Over the years, many studies have been conducted to test the potential health effects of tea. The Linus Pauling Institute states that wu long tea has anti-cancer properties in animal studies of lung, skin, stomach, pancreas, bladder and prostate cancers. Because it contains fluoride, wu long tea may also be beneficial for maintaining dental health and preventing cavities when consumed regularly.
Like green tea, wu long tea is often promoted as a weight loss aid. According to The Ohio State University Chow Line column, oolong tea increases insulin activity up to 15 times in laboratory rats. Insulin is needed for regulating blood sugar, appetite and fat storage, making it a key factor in weight management and diabetes prevention.
Limitations
Despite the promising results in animal studies, little evidence exists to suggest that wu long tea has similar effects in humans. Many studies on the effects of tea involving human subjects are flawed or focus on populations that are too small to draw accurate conclusions, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. For this reason, wu long tea cannot be said to prevent, treat or cure any disease or condition.
Tea is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle or regular medical evaluation and can have unpleasant side effects when consumed in excess.
Side Effects
The side effects experienced by some tea drinkers stem mainly from its caffeine content. According to the National Institutes of Health's MedlinePlus website, high doses of caffeine can lead to headache, nausea, tremors and insomnia. People who are sensitive to caffeine may experience these side effects at lower doses, making wu long tea a poor choice for regular consumption in such populations.
In addition, consuming tea regularly may lead to caffeine withdrawal upon cessation. Symptoms of withdrawal include irritability, caffeine cravings, fatigue, headache and nausea.
Safety Precautions
Drinking wu long tea in moderation may help prevent unwanted side effects like nervousness or headache. Monitor your daily caffeine intake from other sources, and avoid drinking wu long tea before bedtime if you experience caffeine-induced insomnia.
Consult a doctor before consuming wu-long tea if you take prescription blood thinners or are pregnant or nursing. To prevent unwanted side effects, avoid or limit your intake of wu long tea if you are sensitive to caffeine.
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