Benefits of Ceylon White Tea - FAQ on Tea - EDB Sri Lanka

Benefits of Ceylon White Tea

Celebrated for its exquisite flavour and aroma around the world, Ceylon White Tea is one of the least produced and expensive types of teas which also has a variety of health benefits due to its high levels of polyphenols and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). As one of the least processed tea varieties in the global market, made with the fresh tender buds of tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), white tea is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that provide a variety of benefits to the wellbeing of mind and body.

A Tea with High Antioxidants

The polyphenols found in white tea are known as catechins and have strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Antioxidants protect the cells from damage by free radicals, which can adversely alter lipids, proteins, and DNA and trigger a number of human diseases. ⁽¹⁾

Therefore, the consumption of white tea can provide protection from;
- Damage to neurons from free radicals
- Reduce inflammation in the skin
- Premature ageing
- The weakening of the immune system
- DNA damage and mutation through antimutagenic activities ⁽²⁾
A Heart Healthy Tea

The polyphenols in Ceylon White Tea works in a multitude of ways to reduce the risk of heart diseases;
- Polyphenols reduce the generation of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) which is a high-risk factor of cardiovascular diseases ⁽³⁾
- Polyphenols and EGCG also reduce the risk of platelet aggregation or clumping of blood platelets together which is another cause of heart diseases ⁽⁴⁾
A Weight Loss Tea

Presence of high levels of EGCG in Ceylon White Tea helps to stimulate fat breakdown while stopping the formation of new fat cells. ⁽⁵⁾ The combination of high amounts of caffeine and EGCG in white tea helps to boost metabolism by nearly 5% also reducing the fat levels in the body. ⁽⁶⁾

Improves Oral Health

As a good source of fluorides, catechins, and tannins, White Tea helps to improve oral health by preventing dental cavities and bacteria growth. Florides in white tea strengthens the teeth while catechins act as antimicrobial agents and reduce the activities of oral bacteria which cause plaque, cavities, and bad breath. ⁽⁷⁾

A Cancer Fighting Tea

The polyphenols in Ceylon White Tea with antioxidant properties help to reduce the threats of cancer in several ways;
- Protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals and other harmful substance
- By triggering cell deaths in cancers ⁽⁸⁾
- Suppressing the growth of cancer cells and preventing their spread ⁽⁹⁾
In addition, polyphenols and EGCG in white tea help to improve the overall immunity and helps the human body cleanse disease-causing elements.

A Tea to Lower Blood Sugar

Insulin resistance is one of the major causes of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome and can be caused by being overweight, regular consumption of a high carbohydrate diet, a sedentary lifestyle with no exercise and living with high levels of stress. While insulin resistance can cause high levels of blood sugar leading to several non-communicable diseases, studies have proved that polyphenols in Ceylon White Tea can reduce the risk of developing insulin resistance ⁽¹⁰⁾

Moreover, polyphenols and EGCG in white tea helps to improve the effects of insulin and prevent high blood sugar levels. ⁽¹¹⁾

Improves Bone Health

The same polyphenols and EGCG in white tea that render an innumerable number of benefits to the human body also helps to improve the bone and reduce risk of developing situations like osteoporosis that cause bones to become weak and brittle.

As free radicals and chronic inflammation are two factors that increase osteoporosis, the antioxidant properties of white tea help to reduce these factors and suppress the reactions of osteoclasts in breaking down the tissue in bones and releasing the minerals. ⁽¹²⁾

A Skin Care Tea

Ceylon white tea’s many benefits for skin include the prevention of acne and early signs of ageing. The antiseptic and antimicrobial properties of polyphenols in white tea helps to reduce acne and helps the skin to heal faster while its antioxidant properties reduce the free radicals which aid the premature ageing of the skin.

Polyphenols in white tea also reduce the damage caused to the skin’s elasticity and help the skin retain its firmness. ⁽¹³⁾

In addition, EGCG in white tea also helps to reduce skin diseases like psoriasis, wrinkles, rosacea, dandruff and eczema.

A Brain Healthy Tea

The polyphenols and EGCG in white tea help to reduce free radicals that is one of the main causes of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's disease.

Repeated studies have proven that EGCG can reduce free radicals, inflammation and other risk factors for both diseases including unnatural folding and clumping of proteins. ^{(14) (15)}

As white tea goes through the least amount of processing, It is high in L-theanine, an amino acid that boosts alertness while having a calming effect on the mind.

In addition, an 8oz cup of white tea contains only 28 milligrams of caffeine. The low amounts of caffeine in white tea boosts mental alertness without raising the anxiety levels. In fact, this combination of L-theanine and low levels of caffeine can be beneficial for mental wellbeing as well as physical health.