Not jumping on the green tea bandwagon, but still looking for a tea that vibes with your taste buds? Oolong tea benefits are here to serve you.
Oolong tea, part of the Camellia sinensis crew alongside green and black tea, is like the cool, laid-back cousin in the family. While green tea keeps it unfermented and black tea goes all-in until it’s black, oolong is just chilling in between.
This concoction can flaunt a color spectrum, ranging from a fresh green to a cozy dark brown, depending on how long it’s cooked.
And the taste? Think light, floral, with way less of that overpowering perfume note you get from green tea.
It’s a mash-up of all the good things green and black tea offer. We can vouch for that. Let’s understand oolong benefits to understand what it does for your health.
Table of Contents
Health Benefits of Oolong Tea
Tea lovers rejoice!
This is not just great for taste buds but wins on the health front. We have compiled some of the best oolong benefits that will leave you longing for a nice tea cuppa:
Aids Weight Loss
Alright, let’s talk about weight loss. This tea is like your workout buddy but in a mug. It has polyphenols and antioxidants that team up to help your body burn calories.
So, when you sip on that oolong, you are not just treating your taste buds – you give your metabolism a little nudge to shed some extra pounds.
Lowers Risk of Diabetes
Say hello to a potential protector against diabetes. Research suggests daily consumption may improve insulin sensitivity, helping manage blood sugar levels.
By making oolong a part of your routine, you’re not just savoring a flavorful cup. You are also contributing to a healthier approach to diabetes prevention.
Protects Brain Function
Oolong has the ideal quantity of caffeine to give you a boost of alertness without making you feel extremely nervous.
Studies suggest oolong tea’s polyphenols may prevent Alzheimer’s disease in addition to its ability to lower stress levels. It is because oolong’s polyphenols stop plaque proteins from damaging brain tissue.
It can be the perfect beverage to maintain mental clarity and concentration.
Helps with Dry Skin
All it takes to bid farewell to rough, dry skin is a few sips of oolong tea for a subtle health flush.
Although oolong tea smoothes out the wrinkles on the inside, it also benefits the outside body, particularly the skin.
With so many antioxidants packed into this tea, oolong tea can neutralize free radicals. It will not only lessen skin sensitivity and allergic reactions, but its antioxidant levels can also help you seem younger and prevent physical symptoms of aging.
Improves Sleep
GABA and L-theanine in this tea promote deep, more vivid, and longer-lasting sleep. Although oolong tea contains caffeine, this beverage has a built-in ability to promote sleep.
L-theanine is an amino acid linked to relaxation because it increases alpha waves in the brain, which lower stress levels and assist the body in entering a more restful state.
Even though it might not be the best beverage right before bed, drinking it in the afternoon will help you sleep better overall.
Strengths Teeth and Bone Density
Oolong tea also contributes to a beautiful grin since it contains a lot of calcium and fluoride. The oolong leaf’s natural fluoride addition helps to strengthen enamel, fight tooth decay, and stave off cavities.
Not only do your teeth gain from this, but so do your bones. We all want to prevent osteoporosis, and drinking more oolong tea will help you do so by preserving more of your bone mineral density.
Boosts Energy
Even though oolong tea only has half as much caffeine as white tea, it’s still plenty to boost your body and mind.
The natural inclusion of the amino acid L-theanine also naturally awakens and clarifies the mind but in a very calming manner. In addition to helping your body metabolize more quickly, which provides you with more energy, polyphenols also lift your mood by warding off pollutants and free radicals, which improves your general health and makes you feel vibrant, alive, and limitless.
Elevates Mood
Are you in need of a little boost to your mood? Oolong tea is here to help.
Make sure you don’t fall into an emotional or physical low with the help of L-theanine’s calming effects, mental clarity, quick energy boost, and overall health advantages.
Moreover, the self-care vibe surrounding the tea-making process can relax you for some time.
Promotes a Healthy Gut
A healthy gut is crucial to increase immunity, decrease allergies, improve liver health, and lower your risk of irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive problems.
Your microflora can flourish if you can cultivate a joyful, healthy atmosphere. Oolong tea can help with this.
Steps to Concoct Oolong Tea for Health Benefits
Now that you know the health benefits of oolong tea, let’s discuss how you can make a cuppa for yourself.
Take these ingredients:
- One teaspoon of oolong tea leaves (or one tea bag)
- Water (8 ounces or one glass)
Follow these steps:
- Start by selecting a good-quality oolong tea. There are various types with different flavor profiles, so choose one that suits your taste preferences.
- Bring fresh, cold water to a boil.
- Pour a small amount of hot water into the teapot or teacup to preheat it.
- Place the oolong tea leaves or tea bag into your teapot or teacup.
- Pour the hot water over the tea leaves or tea bag. Allow it to steep. The recommended steeping time for oolong tea is typically 3 to 5 minutes, but you can adjust this based on your taste preferences.
- Let the tea leaves unfurl and release their flavors during the steeping process. You can cover the teapot or teacup to keep the heat in.
- You can enjoy oolong tea as is or add sweeteners like honey, sugar, or even a splash of milk.
Final Thoughts!
The tea world is certainly worth exploring. Oolong is a unique tea to experiment with in terms of taste and preparation, and its health advantages make it worthwhile to drink daily.
It is the perfect beverage for those who enjoy tea and looking for a hint of magic mixed with medicine. To know more about tea categories like oolong, consult one of the best nutritionists near you via Healthwire.
