Oolong Tea Provides Antioxidants for Overall Health
Just like its black, white and green teas cousins, oolong teas also are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. The differences in the teas is not in the content, it’s in the way that the leaves or buds are processed following the tea leaf harvest. White and green teas are processed as little as possible, allowing for a fresh, earthy taste and maximum health benefits. Black tea is the most heavily processed of the teas, but has the longest shelf life and is therefore the most popular worldwide. Oolong tea is processed in a different way than the others, and is oxidized slightly more than green tea while slightly less than black.
Oolong tea’s production is unique in that after the tea leaves are picked, they are purposefully bruised by heavy shaking. The bruised edges of the Camellia sinensis leaves change color while drying, or fermenting, to a muted yellow with reddish highlights. The dried leaves are then pan fired to further the oxidation process. The strength of the oolong tea depends on how long it is fermented, with longer periods of fermentation creating a more robust flavor in the tea. Taiwanese oolong teas are known to be particularly strong.
As with all teas that are made with Camellia sinensis, there is naturally occurring caffeine in oolong tea, equaling approximately 1/10 the amount of caffeine in a cup of strong coffee.
Oolong tea is commonly found in Chinese restaurants, because it’s known specifically for its properties for aiding digestion. Similarly, oolong is a favorite tea of health enthusiasts and medical professionals because the polyphenol antioxidants in tea are known to help stimulate the body’s metabolism, which encourages its natural abilities to burn fat and calories. Therefore, green, white and oolong teas are commonly used as part of weight loss programs.
Because oolong accounts for just 2% of tea consumption, modern scientists have yet to include it among the many studies in place to gauge the benefits of tea. However, green tea has been the subject of many such studies, and the two are remarkably similar, so it’s safe to assume that many of the health benefits of oolong tea would be similar to those of green tea. Though the degree of oxidation somewhat trims down some of its health benefits, oolong tea is nevertheless still one of the healthiest beverage you can enjoy as it also contains the polyphenols that act as antioxidants against free radicals in the body.
In recent years, medical professionals have tested the medicinal qualities of oolong tea and discovered that, along with other teas from Camellia sinensis, it has many other health benefits as well. Oolong tea has been shown to reduce not only body weight, but also cholesterol, risk of heart disease and heart attack, issues with digestive health, and fatgue. Additionally, oolong and other teas are known to promote strong bones and joints, stimulate mental processes, aid in dental health and jumpstart the body’s immune system.
There is no doubt that in the years to come, the medical field will continue to realize the benefits of adding tea to our diet.
