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White tea comes from the plant species Camellia sinesis, the same plant from which green tea and black tea also come. In the case of white tea, it is made from new leaves and buds , which are the most noble part of the plant, and is distinguished by its strong antioxidant properties.
The buds are harvested before the flowers open and have a silver color, which makes the drink lighter, hence the name white tea. The plant parts do not undergo fermentation , and this causes the tea to have less caffeine and more antioxidant. White tea goes through the process of partial vaporization and natural drying in sunlight.
Benefits of White Tea
White tea is a potent antioxidant , due to its high volume of catechins, a type of polyphenol responsible for its antioxidant action, which is present in greater quantities in this tea than in green or black tea.
Prevention of diseases
Catechins help prevent cancer, degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and cardiovascular disease. White tea also has an anti-inflammatory action and is good for the liver. There are researches that link its consumption to the lowest risk of gastric, liver and lung cancer, or of genetic mutations that can originate the disease.
White tea also has the substance L-theanine, which is an amino acid that acts on the brain, favoring increased levels of dopamine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), important neurotransmitters for the function of relaxation and general emotional well-being .
White tea also has tannin polyphenols, which have a mild antioxidant action, but which, if consumed in abundance, decrease iron absorption . But green and black teas have higher amounts of tannins.
Caffeine in White Tea
There is caffeine in white tea, but in lesser amounts than in green and black tea. Its effect, as everyone knows, is stimulating, acting in the temporary increase of disposition and in counterpoint to drowsiness and fatigue. Caffeine also has a thermogenic action, which means an increase in the body’s energy expenditure and prevalence for weight loss.
Catechins can even help control cholesterol by decreasing its oxidation. And prevent oxidation of the retina of the eyes, preventing degenerative vision problems related to it.
How to Prepare White Tea
In the preparation of a portion of white tea, 3 grams of the dry leaf are used for each 300 ml of water. The water should be heated until just before boiling, and then turn off the heat without boiling, close to 80 °. The leaves are then added to the water and left for 5 minutes. Then just strain and it will be ready for consumption.
In addition to dried leaves, there are products and sachets commercialized for white tea and can be found and used for consumption.
White tea together with hibiscus tea enhances its medicinal properties for the body. Sometimes this composition is sold enriched with collagen, beta-carotene, vitamins A, C and E and zinc. It is a very antioxidant tea that facilitates digestion and weight loss . White Tea with Hibiscus fights fluid retention and is a diuretic.
Recommended Quantity
The recommended amount of white tea per day can vary between 2 and 3 cups . To prepare a portion use about three grams of the dry leaf to 300 ml of water.
Contraindications for White Tea
Even without having large amounts of caffeine, white tea is not suitable for pregnant and lactating women, and can contaminate the breast milk the baby drinks. Other people who should avoid excess white tea are those affected by ulcers, hypertension, insomnia and irregular heart rate. Before adding the drink to the diet, it is best in such cases to consult a doctor.
The excess of white tea is not as harmful as that of black tea or green tea, as it has fewer problematic components such as caffeine. But there is still a risk of increased pressure, gastric dysregularities and insomnia, tachycardia and headache.
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My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
