Why Oolong Tea Is Good For Health:
Jump To:
Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The degree of fermentation makes one tea different from another. For example, green tea is unfermented and black tea is completely fermented, whereas, oolong tea is semi-fermented. There are different herbal tea types with a number of benefits, butterfly pea tea is one among them.
Oolong tea infusions may range from dark greenish to yellowish-brown in color, depending upon the degree of fermentation. Drinking oolong tea offers various health benefits as it is loaded with several nutrients, polyphenols, and antioxidants that promote good health. So let’s explore some health advantages of drinking oolong tea.
Boosts Heart Health:
Researchers have observed a positive link between the intake of oolong tea and cardiovascular health. Uncontrolled blood glucose levels, altered lipid profile, and obesity increase the risk of heart diseases. Nonetheless, the consumption of this tea reduces these risk factors and protects the heart against damage and diseases.
Low levels of adiponectin, a protein hormone cause insulin resistance and accumulation of fat in the body. Drinking oolong tea regularly increases adiponectin levels, which improves glucose control and causes a fat breakdown. Also, it reduces the level of LDL cholesterol, which is an unhealthy one. Moreover, the antioxidants present in oolong tea prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which prevents clot formation in the arteries and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. Thus, the daily consumption of oolong tea may keep heart diseases at bay.
Aids Weight Loss:
Weight Watchers should make oolong tea a part of their daily diet. One interesting study observed that this tea decreases body fat content and reduces body weight. It was further found that regular consumption of this tea may even prevent obesity.
Catechins present in oolong tea inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in the gastrointestinal absorption of fat. This results in the excretion of fat, which helps in weight loss. Another study found that drinking oolong tea daily helped in reducing waist circumference as well as subcutaneous fat. Drinking oolong tea further burns calories. Hence, along with a calorie-restricted diet and exercise, the intake of oolong tea can help in achieving weight loss results.
Helps In The Management Of Diabetes Mellitus:
Individuals with Type Il diabetes mellitus can benefit from drinking oolong tea regularly. The polyphenols present in this tea possess an insulin-like substance. These polyphenols help the glucose enter the cells and the muscles rather than staying in the bloodstream. They help in elevating insulin sensitivity besides reducing insulin resistance.
Furthermore, healthy components present in oolong tea delay the absorption of glucose and prevent spikes in blood glucose levels. Hence, consumption of tea plus hypoglycemic drugs is beneficial in controlling Type Il diabetes mellitus.
Provides Bone Strength:
The risk of bone loss and easy bone fractures increases, once a woman hits menopause. According to various studies regular oolong tea drinkers have an increased bone mineral density of the total body, hip and spine regions.
Research has also identified a link between high levels of oxidative stress and reduced bone mineral density. Reactive oxygen species increase the activity of bone-breaking cells’ or osteoclasts and reduce the action of ‘bone-forming cells’ or osteoblasts.
Powerful antioxidants present in oolong tea help in scavenging the reactive oxygen species and render them useless. These antioxidants fight oxidative stress and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture.
Reduces The Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease:
Polyphenols present in oolong tea are a natural therapy for alleviating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Several studies showed that drinking oolong tea is associated with better cognitive performance.
The deposition of amyloid plaques in the brain is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Oolong tea possesses anti-amyloid effects, which prevent the accumulation of such plaques and protect the brain cells against damage.
Theanine, a compound present in oolong tea inhibits the generation and activation of reactive oxygen species. It prevents the brain cells and the nerve cells from damage and death, which can be useful in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Management Of Atopic Dermatitis:
Oolong tea helps in the management of dermatitis or the inflammation of the skin. Polyphenols present in oolong tea suppress allergic reactions and help in relieving symptoms of atopic dermatitis such as:
- Itching
- Rashes
- Dry skin
- Flakiness
- Redness
- Bumps
Tea polyphenols work through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They block the formation of pro-inflammatory compounds and boost the action of anti-inflammatory compounds, which help in reducing the inflammation of the skin.
Besides, antioxidants present in oolong tea mop up the free radicals and protect the skin cells against damage and death. Such an action of oolong tea suppresses contact hypersensitivity response, reports a study. Hence, the anti-allergic properties of oolong tea may help in treating atopic dermatitis too.
