White tea is a type of tea produced in China and Sri Lanka from the leaves of the tea tree, or Camellia sinensis. The new buds of the tea tree are plucked before they open and withered to remove the natural moisture. Some forms of white tea also incorporate very young leaves. The leaves and buds are then dried. The liquid produced by steeping these leaves has a straw-colored appearance and a delicate sweet and nutty flavor. Compared with other types of tea, white tea undergoes very little processing and is not fermented, so it does not contain the high levels of tannins found in black and green tea. The natural chemicals contained in white tea might provide many benefits to the immune system and the body as a whole.
Antioxidant Action
The chemical reactions constantly occurring in the body create by-products known as free-radicals. These substances can also be introduced by environmental toxins. Free-radicals damage other cells and can lead to a variety of chronic conditions, such as cancer. White tea is a rich source of antioxidants, which are substances that can prevent and even reverse the damage done by free-radicals, according to a study published in "Food Chemistry." This antioxidant action might help the immune system act more efficiently and prevent certain conditions.
Antimicrobial and Antiviral Activity
White tea has been shown to have antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal potential, according to Science Daily. White tea was found to be more effective than green tea at slowing the growth of bacterial viruses, or viruses that inject their genomes into host bacteria, and even enhanced the antimicrobial effects of several toothpastes. White tea might also have the ability to prevent the growth of pathogenic fungi in the body. These findings suggest that white tea can provide helpful support to the immune system.
Anticancer Potential
The antioxidant abilities of white tea and green tea have both shown potential in preventing cancer, but recent research in "Cancer Prevention Research" suggests that white tea might be able to destroy certain types of lung cancer cells. The exact mechanism of this action is unknown, and more research is necessary to determine white tea's efficacy on other forms of cancer and in the human body.
Other Possible Benefits
The high concentration of catechins, a specific type of antioxidant, in white tea indicates a potential to lower cholesterol and improve overall cardiovascular health. White tea might also help prevent diabetes by regulating blood sugar and preventing damage to the skin from exposure to the sun. By removing these added stresses, white tea might help the immune system operate more efficiently.
References
- "The Tea Companion"; "Jane Pettigrew; "2004
- "Food Chemistry"; "Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of tea infusions"; May 2008
- Science Daily; "White Tea Beats Green Tea In Fighting Germs"; May 2004
- Cancer Prevention Research; "White tea extract induces apoptosis in nonsmall-cell lung cancer cells -- the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-{gamma} and 15-lipoxygenases"; September 2010
- White Tea Guide: Benefits of White Tea
