Types Of Teas And Their Health Benefits

Tea is believed to have several health benefits, for both body and mind. From black tea to white tea and green tea to oolong tea, these aromatic brews are full of nutrients and healthy compounds. Teas are supposed to prevent cancer, diabetes, neurogenerative diseases, lower cholesterol, increase mental alertness and also possess antimicrobial properties. They are even considered a better alternative to coffee as they contain less caffeine and more beneficial compounds like flavonoids, theaflavins, and thearubigins. Before looking into the benefits of drinking tea, let us look at the different types of teas consumed around the world.

Types of True Teas

Though many types of teas are consumed in the world, only a few can be termed as ‘True teas’. True teas are those teas that are made from the leaves of the tea plant, ‘Camellia Sinensis’. Based on this classification only five of the teas can be termed ‘True teas’. These are Black, Green, White, Oolong and Pu-erh teas. All these teas also have caffeine, theanine, polyphenol, and other beneficial and antioxidant compounds. Let us explore the types and benefits of true teas one by one below.

1. Black Tea

As mentioned above, black tea is made from the leaves of the tea plant. These leaves are withered, crushed, curled, rolled, and torn, and then oxidized and dried through processes called ‘fermentation’ and ‘firing’. The oxidation of black tea leaves imparts its strong flavor and aroma and higher caffeine content compared to other true teas. Some of the benefits of black tea are:

a. Supports cardiovascular health.

b. Protects the body from free radicals and oxidative damage and thus helps in lowering age-related degeneration.

c. Protects lungs from nicotine and pollution damage.

d. Prevents certain types of cancers and lowers sugar levels.

2. Green Tea

Green tea is made from fresh or slightly withered tea leaves. These are slightly heated or steamed before being sent for retailing. This process stops the oxidation process of green tea and is responsible for the green tea’s fresh and light flavor. Some of the benefits of green tea are as follows.

a. Green tea is full of polyphenols and other beneficial compounds like EGCG which reduces the risk of certain types of cancers including breast, bladder, stomach, lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers.

b. Improves mental alertness and attentiveness.

c. Lowers the risk of neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and strokes.

d. Lowers cholesterol levels and supports heart health.

Also Read About : Everything You Need To Know About Assam Tea

3. Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is also known as ‘Wulong’ and ‘Black Dragon’ tea. It is a semi-oxidized whole leaf tea. The level of oxidization differs and is identified by the color of the brew. The less oxidized tea has lighter color compared to the more oxidized tea, which has a markedly darker color. Oolong tea has several health benefits which are given below.

a. It is packed with compounds like EGCG, theaflavins, and thearubigins which are antioxidants and reduce free radicals and oxidative stress, thus preventing age-related symptoms.

b. Helps in healthy weight loss.

c. Lowers bad cholesterol levels.

d. Supports cardiovascular and brain health.

4. Pu-erh Tea

Pu-erh Tea is a tea made from the fermented leaves of the tea plant. It is mostly cultivated in China, specifically Yunnan province, but has a loyal following all over the world. The leaves once plucked are thrown in the humungous wok-shaped containers that stop the oxidation process. Then it is aged and fermented in very humid conditions to achieve its final stage. This results in the tea’s uniquely rich and dark flavor, with a less astringent profile. Pu-erh teas benefits include the following.

a. Makes you more attentive and supports mental acuity.

b. Has very high antioxidant levels, eradicates free radicals from the body, and increases cellular health.

c. Helps maintain healthy skin.

d. Reduces bad cholesterol levels and prevents unhealthy weight gain.

5. White Tea

White tea is made from the newly sprouted buds and fresh young leaves of the tea plant. It is whitish in color due to the white silvery hairs of the freshly sprouted buds. As soon as the leaves and buds are plucked, they undergo steaming and frying to stop the oxidation process. Then they are dried and are ready for consumption. White teas have a distinctly delicate and fruity flavor due to this process. They also have a more delicate profile and less caffeine than the other true teas. Benefits of White tea include the following.

a. Reduces inflammation of the body.

b. Due to minimal processing, white tea has a high number of beneficial compounds called catechins, tannins, and fluoride which are good for oral health. These compounds prevent plaque formation and strengthen the teeth.

c. White tea is full of antioxidants which help in eliminating free radicals from the body and protects against oxidative stress.

d. Has anti-cancer properties, supports brain health, and increases energy levels.

Conclusion

So, these are some of the benefits of different types of teas. Teas are popular beverages and offer a wide range of health benefits. Whatever type of tea you prefer, all these offer health advantages over other types of beverages. Do include a cup or two of the above-mentioned teas in your daily routine to reap the health benefits.