Vicony Tea Directory

Health Benefits of White Tea

White tea is a true tea, meaning it is made from the buds and leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, grown traditionally in China. It is uncured and unfermented. Unlike other more processed teas, the leaves and buds of white tea are left to wither in natural sunlight to prevent oxidation allowing for more pure and potent nutritional value. White tea is the least “fired” of all teas, which may explain why it contains more antioxidants than green tea.

Here are the health benefits of white tea:

Protect against cancer mutation

A 2001 study conducted by Oregon State University compared white tea and green tea for their cancer fighting potential. Each cancer starts with one cell. It happens when the genes become damaged or lost in a process called mutation, causing cells to multiply uncontrollably. People only take notice when they feel a lump and see a doctor

Green tea has been known to protect against cell mutation. Does white tea offer the same antimutagen benefit?

Scientists from Paul Linus Institute conducted a test called Salmonella assay to find out. Bacteria culture was exposed to a carcinogen called IQ, which is also found in fried or broiled meats. Either white tea or green tea was added. It was found that white tea was always more protective than green tea, sometimes by a factor of 5.

Treat colon cancer without side effects

A 2003 study conducted by Oregon State University found that white tea is highly potent in treating colon cancer in mice.

The scientists compared white tea, green tea and an anti-cancer drug called sundalic. They were given to mice pre-disposed to developing cancer to drink. After 12 weeks, untreated mice developed 30 tumours. Mice that drank green tea and white tea developed 17 and 13 tumours respectively. The best result went to mice that had both white tea and sundalic; they developed the lowest number of tumours - 6.

Kill germs and prevent infections

A 2004 study conducted by Pace University concluded that white tea fights bacteria, viruses and fungi.

White tea retards the growth of bacteria such as Streptococcus, which has been known to cause infections such as sore throat (pharyngitis), scarlet fever, and pneumonia, as well as dental caries. White tea also fights fungi such as Penicillium chrysogenum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and so may be helpful to people suffering from yeast infections.

The scientists added white tea extract to several toothpastes, then placed the paste on germs in a lab. Previous studies have found that green tea boosts the immune system. This study suggested that white tea is even more powerful than green tea.

"People should drink white tea." said Milton Schiffenbauer, who conducted this study. "Our research shows white tea extract can actually destroy in vitro the organisms that cause disease. Study after study proves that it has many healing properties.

Keep skin young

A 2003 study suggested that white tea may slow down aging skin conditions such as wrinkles and pigmentations. This study was conducted jointly by University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University. The scientists applied white tea cream on the subject's buttock, then exposed it to artificial light.

They found that tea-treated skin continued to function properly afterwards with limited DNA damage, but untreated skin was damaged by light. The scientists believed white tea works because of its powerful antioxidant. The study suggests that white tea cream may have anti-aging effects on skin.

"Similar to the way oxidation causes a car to rust, oxidative stress of the skin causes a breakdown in cellular strength and function," said Dr Elma Baron, director of Skin Study Center. "The white tea extract protects against this stress." "We know that younger skin tends to be able to resist the oxidative stress associated with exposure to the destructive rays of sunlight," said Kevin Cooper, chairman of the Department of Dermatology. "The white tea extract also appears to build the skin's resistance against stresses that cause the skin to age."