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Through history, white tea was only served to the most elite. It was very expensive, and therefore not very commonly grown. However, times are changing. As white tea becomes more popular, we can expect to see more and more fields of white tea flourishing. White tea is being hailed as the new "green tea". But what makes it so special?

Like green tea, white tea is full of anti-oxidants. Because it's less processed than green tea, there are more of them left in the tea that reaches you. Anti-oxidants fight free radicals. Free radicals are the nasty things that wreak havok on your skin- when you stress, spend time in the sun, eat badly. Anti-oxidants help slow down the aging effects on your skin!

Flavanoids are a group of anti-oxidants that are thought to inhibit the growth and spreading of cancer cells and more research is suggesting that drinking a few cups of white tea again can help guard against cancers. Other anti-oxidants help fight bad bacteria, which protects against the common cold and flu, as well as other diseases and illnesses.

It's also been shown in studies that white tea helps thin your blood and improve how your arteries function. This helps lower blood pressure and help the circulatory system, which can help prevent strokes. It's also thought that regular drinkers of white tea are 50% less likely to die after having a heart attack.

Another health benefit is that drinking tea is thought to help speed up your metabolism, making your body burn fat faster. Although this would probably not be noticeble with a bad diet, white tea also contains less calories than most black teas! White tea is sweet enough without sugar, and the little calories will add up!

White tea contains small amounts of flouride, which helps drinkers have healthy teeth and gums. If you don't drink a lot of water (which has flouride in it), white tea may be a great help to absorbing the necessary flouride for your body.

Studies also show that people who drink white tea regularly have denser, stronger bones than those who dont. White tea is therefore beneficial to those suffering with bone problems, for example, arthritis.

Although white tea can be expensive, it is worth the price for the delicate, light flavour and the health benefits. One tea bag or loose leaves can be resteeped several times. White tea can be bought in some large supermarkets or pharmacists, or online. To enjoy all the health benefits of white tea, you should drink several cups a day. White tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, but not boiling!

Learn more about this author, Krystyna Waterhouse.
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