We all have been drinking green tea for a pretty long time now for it has such a subtle taste and helps to cut down those extra calories. But don’t you think we should bring a little change in our tea routine, especially with a tea which does not only comes with a great taste and rich aroma but also with many more benefits than green tea. Okay, let’s not beat around the bush and let me introduce you to the new fad ‘Oolong tea’ and its benefits.
Oolong tea also known as Wu Long tea is a traditional Chinese tea which comes from the plant Camellia sinensis.
A warm cup of oolong tea goes really well with a meal or with your evening cookie. Packed with catechins and polyphenols, oolong tea is rich in antioxidants which fight free radicals. It also contains vital vitamins like A, B, C, E and K, minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper, selenium, potassium etc.
The tea is slightly fermented and semi oxidized which gives it a taste which is somewhere between green tea and black tea. The reason why oolong tea is regarded as the best tea in the tea world is because the tea comes with some great health benefits.
1. Burns Fat
Oolong tea activates the enzyme lipase which dissolves fat. This tea also boosts your metabolism for two hours which helps burn fat faster than other teas. But make sure you drink your oolong tea without sugar or artificial sweeteners. You may add a teaspoon of honey if you prefer your tea to be sweet.
2. Sensitive to Caffeine? Try Oolong Tea
Oolong tea contains a little caffeine, so those who don’t want to have a caffeinated tea can go for oolong tea.
3. Great for heart
Oolong tea is great for your heart as it helps to lower cholesterol levels and keeps cardiovascular disorders at bay.
4. For a glowing Skin
Oolong tea is packed with antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonols. These antioxidant prevent the formation of free radicals which are responsible for skin darkening and pigmentation. Oolong tea slows down the skin’s ageing process and gives it a vibrant healthy glow.
5. Prevents Diabetes
Oolong tea stabilizes your blood sugar levels. The polyphenols in the tea metabolizes sugar and keeps your blood sugar levels in control.
6. Strengthens bones
Oolong tea contains calcium and magnesium. Drinking this tea regularly with 5-6 cups each day will help to prevent demineralization of bones thus keeping osteoporosis at bay.
7. Anti cancer properties
Antioxidants in oolong tea fights with carcinogens and thus drinking oolong tea regularly helps to reduce the risk of cancer. Polyphenols in the oolong tea promote apoptosis (programmed cell death) of cancer cells in the stomach. Studies also suggest that oolong tea also helps to prevent ovarian cancer in women.
8. Healthy Hair
Oolong tea gives you healthy and shiny hair. It also promotes hair growth. Use the water infused with tea on your scalp regularly and you will get shiny lustrous hair.
9. Healthy teeth
Drinking oolong tea prevents growth of bacteria in the teeth and also prevents acid production from the bacteria thereby preventing plaque and tooth decay.
10. Boosts Immunity
If you catch cold and flu quite frequently then oolong tea is just the right medicine for you. Drinking oolong tea fights bacterial and viral infection and boosts your immunity.
