The Benefits Of Jasmine Pearl Tea

Jasmine pearl tea originates from the Song Dynasty of China, and its primary component is often green tea, according to Mary Lou and Robert J. Heiss, coauthors of "The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide." The loose green tea leaves are infused with jasmine flowers, which creates a tea that is mildly sweet in flavor and delicate in fragrance. The blend is then shaped into tiny "pearls" to produce what is known as jasmine pearl tea. Since jasmine pearl tea is made primarily from green tea leaves, it provides many of the same health benefits as green tea. Consult with your healthcare advisor prior to ingesting jasmine pearl tea.

Antioxidants

Jasmine pearl tea is abundant in antioxidants that absorb harmful free radicals. Since free radicals are responsible for cellular damage within the body, they may speed up the aging process and cause cancer. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the consumption of green tea may result in a reduced risk of bladder, breast and skin cancer. Furthermore, individuals diagnosed with bladder and ovarian cancers have a better survival rate. UMMC also cautions that individuals receiving chemotherapy for prostate cancer should avoid consumption of green or black tea while undergoing treatment as tea extracts stimulate genes that cause cells to be less responsive to chemotherapy drugs.

Blood-Glucose Stabilization

Jasmine pearl tea may prevent the development of diabetes through stabilization of blood-glucose levels. Medline Plus reports that individuals who consumed a minimum of 6 cups of green tea each day reduced their risk of developing type II diabetes by 33 percent. Regulation of blood-glucose levels may also prevent against type I diabetes, according to UMMC.

Sedative

Jasmine pearl tea may have a sedative effect on drinkers, according to Ray Sahelian, M.D. A study published in the June 2003 edition of "Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry" discovered that the odor present in jasmine tea decreased heart rate and elicited a state of calmness. The study concluded that jasmine tea scent has a sedative effect on both automatic nerve activity and mood states.

Cholesterol

The green tea component of jasmine pearl tea may lower total cholesterol while raising "good" cholesterol, otherwise known as HDL. Rather than the intestinal tract absorbing cholesterol, green tea encourages the body to excrete it. Since green tea lowers both cholesterol and triglyceride levels, it may also help to prevent various types of heart disease, such as coronary artery diseases. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is preventing tea manufacturers from labeling this claim on tea products due to the lack of sufficient evidence, UMMC notes that several clinical studies suggest that individuals who consumed 3 cup of green tea each day decreased their chance of having a heart attack by 11 percent.

Additional Benefits

Jasmine pearl tea may also contain anti-inflammatory properties to alleviate symptoms of arthritis or IBD, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. It may also be helpful in preventing tooth decay, colds and influenza, as well as treat genital warts. However, further research is required to validate these benefits.