by Iris W

Created on: July 19, 2008   Last Updated: February 02, 2012

Teas have been around the world for centuries, just as long as the Chinese have been using them as medicines. White tea, like green, black, and oolong tea, comes from the camellia sinensis plant and is made from new buds and leaves, picked just before the buds open. It is called white tea because the silver fuzz that still covers the buds turns white when the tea is dried. Unlike green tea, white tea undergo less processing, which means it contains more polyphenols, the powerful anti-oxidant that fights and kills cancer-causing cells.

Aside from its silky taste, white tea also contributes to various health benefits:

1) Prevents cancer

Antioxidants protect the body from damage by free radicals. Because of the high level in it, white tea is proven to boost the immune system, promote cell health and regeneration, stimulate the metabolism and have greater ability in fighting cancer and other viruses. It is even better than green tea as white tea has more gallic acid, theobromine, and ECG .

2) Guards you from bacteria and viruses

White tea is antibacterial and antiviral. Its abundance of antioxidants protests the entire immune system from a variety of bacteria, viruses and undesirable diseases. It also assists against the common cold and flu, and can alleviate the symptoms of HIV.

3) Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol

White tea thins the blood and thus improves artery function. It helps lower high blood pressure and maintains a healthy one. By promoting strong and healthy blood vessels, white tea guards against the ravages of stroke. White tea also contains Catechins, a group of antioxidants that helps to reduce cholesterol; thus increases the good cholesterol and decreases the bad ones.

4) Protects your heart

When the blood is thin, the blood pressure is lowered and the cholesterol is decreased, so naturally the heart is more protected and the whole blood circulation system will run much smoother. It is as good as a heart tonic.

5) Healthy teeth and gums

Believe it or not, white tea also contains small amounts of fluoride and other nutrients which keeps the teeth strong and healthy. It does not only keep the bacteria away, but it also kills the bacteria that causes dental caries. Addition of White Tea Extract to various toothpastes can enhance the anti-microbial effect of these oral agents.

6) Healthy skin

Staying out in the sun too long can damage your skin and causes the skin to prematurely age. Again, the antioxidants properties in white tea will come to the rescue! It provides cell damage protection by enhancing the skin cell immune function and protects the skin from UV rays. This not only prevents skin cancer but also promotes healthy skin.

7) Stronger bones

White tea may also have beneficial effects for sufferers of arthritis and osteoporosis as studies show that frequent white tea drinkers have greater bone density compared to the non-drinkers.

8) Relieves stress

Another useful added benefit to white tea is the benefit to relieve stress. A number of studies have shown that tea in general has the ability to alleviate stress and fatigue; so does white tea.

9) Helps lose weight

My favorite benefit of all. The ECG in white tea (and green tea as well) boosts metabolism and can aid in weight loss. Exercising is a must when you intend to lose weight, but it never hurts to increase your body metabolism to help burn the fat faster!

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