What is Oolong Tea, What are its Benefits?

Accelerate metabolism, reducing stress and increasing the quality of daily life. You can also find a lot of information about oolong tea in our article, which we have compiled for health benefits and research on this subject.

What is Oolong Tea?

A traditional Chinese tea Tea, oolong, is obtained from the leaves of the “Camellia sinensis” plant. It is a tea with 400 years of history in China. It is widely consumed in China and Taiwan. It is one of the indispensable drinks of cultural and social environments in Asian countries. It is the most popular tea in the southern regions of China and Southeast Asia. It is especially popular among tea drinkers in Southern China and among Chinese immigrants in Southeast Asia.

It is a semi-green fermented tea; however, as soon as the leaves begin to change color, the fermentation process is stopped.

In addition to the plant from which oolong tea is obtained, green and black tea are also obtained. Fermentation and oxidation processes reveal the differences between these teas. In particular, oolong tea is partially fermented and kept under strong sunlight.

The leaves of all teas contain certain enzymes that produce a chemical reaction called “oxidation”. Oxidation is what turns green tea leaves a deep black color. Green tea is not allowed to be over-oxidized; however, black tea is allowed to oxidize until it turns black.

Oolong tea; lies somewhere between the two and is therefore partially oxidized. It is a tea made from the partially oxidized leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, and this partial oxidation gives oolong tea its distinctive color and characteristic flavor. However, the color of its leaves can vary from green to dark brown.

What are the Benefits of Oolong Tea?

Oolong is a tea with dozens of direct and indirect benefits. In general, it is possible to see many of the benefits of the substances in black and green teas in oolong tea. Numerous studies have been conducted on this subject in recent years; These studies are still ongoing. In the light of these studies, the potential and possible benefits of oolong tea are as follows;

Effective against diabetes

The polyphenol antioxidants in tea reduce blood sugar and It is thought to help reduce insulin levels. It is also stated to increase insulin sensitivity.

Several studies have shown that regular consumption of oolong tea provides blood sugar control and reduces the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes. It was observed that the risk of developing type-2 diabetes was reduced by 16 percent.
Similarly, consuming 1 liter of oolong tea every day for 30 days reduced the average blood sugar level by 3.3 percent. points to “pesticide contamination” as a possible cause of the effects.

Supports heart health

Consuming tea antioxidants regularly can improve heart health.

This reduces the risk of heart disease.

In a study conducted on more than 76,000 adults in Japan, it was observed that those who drank 240 ml or more of oolong tea per day reduced their risk of developing heart disease by 61 percent.
In a study conducted in China, those who drank 480 ml of oolong tea a day reduced the risk of stroke by 39 percent.
In a similar study, consuming 120 ml of oolong tea per day reduced the risk of high blood pressure by 46 percent.
Oolong It should also be noted that tea contains caffeine, which causes high blood pressure in some people! believes it can reduce the amount of fat.

Polyphenol antioxidants are thought to help use stored fat for energy and activate enzymes.
In one study, tea consumed 2.9 to 3.4 percent more per day. a. It has been observed to help burn calories.
This is thought to be due in part to the caffeine content in the tea; however, tea polyphenols and plant components can also play an effective role.

Improves brain function

Recent studies show that tea can help maintain brain function and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Caffeine in tea; It can increase the release of “norepinephrine” and “dopamine”.
These two brain messengers; It is responsible for mood, attention, and brain functions.
Further research indicates that the amino acid “theanine” in tea also helps increase attention and reduce anxiety.
A recent study found that oolong, which contains both caffeine and theanine, It is reported that tea increases alertness and attention in the first 1-2 hours after consumption. A decrease was observed in the risk of decreased functions.
This effect is explained as a stronger possibility, especially for those who drink oolong tea.

May protect against cancer

Scientists He believes that the antioxidants found in black, green and oolong teas may help prevent cell mutations in the body that can lead to cancer. It is reported that those who regularly consume oolong tea have a 15 percent lower risk of developing oral cancer. br/>However, most studies suggest that oolong tea may have less positive effects on breast, ovarian and bladder cancers.

Strengthens bones and teeth

Decade in an ongoing study throughout; It has been observed that people who drink black, green, or oolong tea have a 2 percent higher bone mineral density. It has been determined that they have a higher bone density of 0.5 to 4.9.
In addition, oolong tea, which reduces the formation of plaque on the teeth, is a rich source of fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel. Effective against eczema: Polyphenols help alleviate eczema.

In one study, 118 patients with severe eczema were asked to drink 1 liter of oolong tea per day, apart from their usual treatment.
1 of the combined treatment in 63 percent of patients after one month; Improvement was observed in 54% of patients after 5 months.
It is also believed to relieve irritating chronic skin problems such as atopic dermatitis.

Manages stress, supports mental health

In a study conducted in Japan, a significant improvement in stress levels of 10 to 18 percent was observed in experimental mice given oolong tea.

• The natural polyphenol content has stress-reducing effects.
• The amino acid L-theanine in the leaves , blocks L-glutamic acid at glutamate receptors in the brain.
• As this amino acid binds to these regions, there is no excitation and stress is reduced.
• It also has benefits for general mental health.

In summary, the potential benefits of oolong tea are;

• By lowering blood sugar levels, it reduces the risk of Type-2 diabetes.
• Reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.
• Accelerating metabolism, Helps to lose weight.
• Has a beneficial effect on brain function and mood.
• It is thought to have protective effects against cancer.
• Increases bone mineral density; It strengthens tooth enamel.
• Polyphenol antioxidants in its content reduce eczema symptoms.
• Contains substances effective against stress, supports mental health.

We can list other possible benefits as follows;

• Promotes healthy gut bacteria.
• Reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease
• Provides natural protection against ultraviolet rays of the sun.

Important note : Research on the specific effects and benefits of oolong tea is not as much as research on green and black tea!

How to Prepare Oolong Tea?

Often like herbal teas The brewing method of the prepared oolong tea is as follows;

• Two teaspoons of oolong per cup is required for oolong tea.
• The water used to brew this tea should not be boiled.
• The temperature of the water should be about 90 degrees.
• Tea should be soaked in hot water for 3 to 10 minutes.
• Tea brewing for a long time can make its taste bitter.
• Stay high Ital oolong tea can be brewed several times.
  

Side Effects of Oolong Tea

Oolong tea has been consumed for centuries.

However, some side effects can be seen in connection with the caffeine it contains.

When consumed excessively, caffeine can cause anxiety, headache, insomnia, heartbeat irregularities and high blood pressure.
A daily intake of 400 mg of caffeine is considered safe. . To reach this amount, it is necessary to consume 1.4 to 2.4 liters of oolong tea per day.
In order not to exceed this rate, no more than 6 to 10 glasses of oolong tea should be drunk per day.
Pregnant women should consume no more than 3 to 5 cups of oolong tea per day. It is recommended not to consume. In other words, the maximum recommended amount of caffeine per day is 200 mg.
Consuming too much polyphenol antioxidants can develop pro-oxidants that are harmful to health. Oolong tea is rich in polyphenols.
In addition, the flavonoids in tea can reduce the absorption in the digestive tract by 15 to 67 percent by blocking the iron found in plant foods.
Those with low iron levels should not consume oolong tea with meals.

What are the Nutrients in Oolong Tea?

Similar to black and green teas, oolong tea also contains various vitamins, minerals and auxiliary antioxidants. One cup of brewed tea contains approximately the following nutritional ratios;

Fluoride: 5-24 percent,
Manganese: 26 percent,
Potassium: 1 percent,
Sodium: Percent 1,
Magnesium: 1 percent,
Niacin: 1 percent,
Caffeine: 36 mg.

As “tea polyphenols” in oolong tea some of the main antioxidants known; theaflavins, thearubigins and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) substances.

The health benefits of tea are linked to the properties of these substances.

Theophylline and theobromine contents also have stimulating effects on the nervous system.

In addition; It contains calcium, copper, carotene, selenium and vitamins A, B, C, E and K and various minerals. Folic acid and detoxifying alkaloids are also found.