Have you ever thought of changing your regular green or black tea to try something new And healthy? If you have, then this Chinese tea can be your next favourite. Oolong Tea benefits your body in several aspects and it is not so different from black or green tea in terms of its flavour profile. This particular tea is made from the same plant used in black and green teas, but the oxidation process gives it a unique colour, flavour and nutritional content.
Best 8 Oolong Tea Benefits
For all the tea drinkers out there, you can add a new tea to your list that is loaded with health benefits. If you are bored of your regular black tea or green tea, it’s time to give oolong tea a taste! Why? Let’s take a quick look at all the health benefits of Oolong tea comes with.
1. Protects from Heart Diseases
Did you know that heart diseases are one of the main reasons for death globally? Sounds scary, right? But with the right diet, you can reduce the risk. One of the main oolong tea health benefits is its ability to protect you from critical heart diseases.
Oolong tea contains polyphenols that help in breaking down triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood. These triglycerides are a major force behind thick artery walls that increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, etc.
Besides, this tea can also regulate your cholesterol level which is one of the main contributing factors to cardiovascular diseases.
2. Oolong Tea for Weight Loss
Most of us have probably been at that stage in our life where we have gotten tired of trying new methods to lose some extra weight. If you are in that phase, then it’s time to sip some oolong tea.
Oolong benefits your health by decreasing body fat and boosting metabolism. Therefore, it also helps in reducing the risk of obesity and contributes a great deal to your weight loss journey. According to studies, this tea can increase the number of calories your body burns by up to 3.4%.
The main factors contributing to this process are caffeine and polyphenols. They help in increasing specific enzyme inhibition and that’s what controls the number of calories burned each day.
3. Strengthens Tooth & Bone
Healthy teeth and bones are an asset to leading a healthy life. Being rich in antioxidants, a cup of oolong tea can work wonders in this process.
The benefits of oolong tea include its ability to increase mineral density. According to studies, consuming oolong tea daily over 10 years can increase the overall bone mineral density by 2%.
Therefore, higher bone mineral density ensures a lesser risk of fractures, plaque and gingivitis. However, the effect of oolong tea in improving teeth and bone health is still under investigation.
4. Supports Cognitive Functions
Oolong tea contains caffeine and while too much caffeine is bad for your health, oolong brings just the right amount to keep you going.
The polyphenols and caffeine in oolong tea contribute a great deal to improving cognitive functions by reducing stress levels. In addition to that, the amino acid named L-theanine can help with mental clarity and a quick energy boost.
Additionally, studies have shown that oolong tea has the potential to prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia as well. The antioxidants also come with brain-protective properties to prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
5. Helps in Diabetes Management
While there are plenty of natural remedies for diabetes you have probably heard of, oolong can be a real champion!
Oolong tea benefits your health not only by reducing the risk of diabetes but also by preventing the complications of this chronic disease. It helps in diabetes management mostly by easing insulin resistance and decreasing inflammation.
However, the effects of oolong tea on diabetes are still under study.
6. Fights Cancer Cells
You must have heard the wise man saying that prevention is always better than cure. Although there’s no proper cure for cancer, you can always stay a step ahead by taking precautionary measures.
Oolong tea health benefits include its ability to fight cancer cells. Being rich in compounds such as catechins and antioxidants, it can play a small role in cancer prevention,
In addition to that, a Chinese study suggests that oolong tea can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women significantly.
7. Oolong Tea Benefits Skin
Are you tired of scratchy and flaky skin caused by Eczema? Well, a couple of cups of oolong tea in a day can reduce the effects of eczema.
Oolong tea is full of antioxidants and therefore suppresses the allergic reactions in your skin. Besides, this tea also helps in treating several other skin issues including acne, and blemishes.
In addition to that, if you are suffering from premature skin ageing, then oolong tea is a great help in reducing wrinkles as well.
8. Aids Digestion
When they say that a healthy gut is the key to a healthy life, we can’t agree more! So, adding foods that ensure a healthy gut is really crucial.
Oolong benefits gut health by alkalizing the digestive tract. Therefore, it reduces inflammation and provides relief from issues like acid reflux. Additionally, due to its mild antiseptic properties, it can detoxify your digestive system and clear bad bacteria.
However, this benefit of oolong tea only works for those who are not sensitive to caffeine.
Nutritional Facts of Oolong Tea
Teas are all about helpful antioxidants and essential vitamins. Similarly, oolong tea is also known for its share of vitamins and minerals. A freshly brewed cup of oolong tea contains essential minerals including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Additionally, it also offers about 38 mg of caffeine.
The antioxidants present in oolong tea play a crucial role in making oolong tea a healthy option. The benefits of oolong tea are quite synonymous with the benefits of antioxidants such as tea polyphenols, theaflavins, thearubigins, and EGCG.
Vitamins: vitamin A, B, C, E, and K.
Minerals: calcium, manganese, carotene, selenium, and potassium.
Antioxidants: Catechins, theaflavin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, EGCg, etc.
Oolong Tea Side Effects
Too much of anything can cause side effects in your body. Oolong tea is no exception in that case. Keep your health conditions in mind while adding any new food to your diet list. Let’s have a look at the side effects of oolong tea.
- Although the amount of caffeine present in oolong tea is way less than coffee, it’s better to have it at the limit if you are sensitive to caffeine.
- If you are anaemic, you should reconsider adding it to your diet. Oolong tea can decrease the absorption of iron you get from plant foods. However, if you add foods rich in vitamin C along with it, then it can increase the amount of iron absorption.
So, drinking up to 15 grams of tea per day is likely to be safe as a gram of oolong tea leaves comes with 10 to 40 mg of caffeine. with an average of around 20-30 mg per gram.
Oolong can be an excellent addition to your regular diet with all the benefits it comes with. But, keeping your health issues in mind, always consult your dietician or nutritionist before incorporating them.
