White tea is a widely used beverage, made from young tea leaves and unopened buds. These are steamed, not fermented, and hence preserve more polyphenols. The polyphenols in white tea may have benefits for insulin-resistant individuals, according to North Dakota State University, or NDSU. However, do not drink white tea without the advice of your doctor to avoid possible drug interactions.
Polyphenols
A 2007 article by Jane U. Edwards, a nutrition and health specialist at North Dakota State University, and colleagues reported that people who drink white tea are less likely to develop insulin-resistant diabetes compared to those who do not drink white tea regularly. White tea is rich in flavonoids, a group of polyphenolic compounds that give white tea its health-promoting properties. Among its flavonoids, white tea contains an abundance of flavanols, which are made up of monomers called catechins.
Caffeine
The caffeine in white tea may play an important role in preventing and treating insulin-resistant diabetes, says Edwards. Caffeine may improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, and may help regulate your blood glucose levels. Therefore, drinking white tea regularly helps lower the risk of insulin-resistant diabetes.
Alpha-glucosidase Enzyme
In an in-vitro study, scientists at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst examined white tea's inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase enzyme, which is essential for the absorption of sugar in the small intestine. The results of this study, published in the "Journal of Food Biochemistry" in April 2008, suggested that white tea can cause decreased activity of alpha-glucosidase and thus slow down the rate at which your body digests sugar in food.
How To Make White Tea
To reap the positive effects of white tea, drink 2 to 4 cups per day. Steep for three to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The tea is normally ready when the leaves and buds uncurl. Most high-quality teas are made from the buds or the youngest leaves of the tea plant.
References
- North Dakota State University; Take Time for Tea: For Health and Well-being; Debra K. Lee and Jane U. Edwards; July 2007
- Linus Pauling Institute; Tea; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; January 2005
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Antioxidants in Red Wine and Tea May Help Regulate Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetics, Say UMass Amherst Food Scientists; Kalidas Shetty; April 1, 2008
- University of Michigan Integrative Medicine; Tea; Monica Myklebust, M.D. and Jenna Wunder, M.P.H., R.D.
