White Tea Fights Cancer

White tea extract increased a specific type of cell death in laboratory cultures of two different types of non-small cell lung cancer cells, indicating that the tea may have an anti-cancer effect, according to a study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research. Although white tea comes from the same plant as green and black teas (Camellia sinensis),white tea goes through much less processing, resulting in a higher concentration of polyphenols. While this study builds on previous laboratory research suggesting that tea—in particular, green tea—may have anti-tumor effects for certain cancers, there is no evidence yet that this laboratory research can be extended to treatments in people.

Researchers from the University of New Mexico, the University of California Los Angeles, and Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, California, treated two types of non-small cell lung cancer cells with white tea extract. This caused changes in both cell lines that led to cell death (apoptosis), and did so in a dose-dependent manner. Previous laboratory research has linked carcinogenesis (the process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells) to inflammatory events involving the ways in which cells chemically communicate. This study, for the first time, showed the roles of the PPAR-gamma and 15-LOX signaling pathways in white tea-induced apoptosis. (A reduction in PPAR-gamma in a tumor is linked to poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer.) The researchers also compared green tea extract with white tea extract and found that white tea extract was significantly more effective in increasing certain RNA transcripts (e.g., PPAR-gamma) that play a critical role in cell death. However, the components in white tea extract that may be responsible for this outcome are not yet known.

The researchers suggest that further studies of white tea extract are needed to better determine if there are micronutrients or other substances in the tea that have not yet been characterized. They noted that the findings from this preliminary study provide an important basis for more investigation of the anti-cancer properties of white tea extract and whether it may help prevent the development of lung cancer.

White Tea Antioxidants

Antioxidants are nutrients that protect the body from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are nasty things that go around wreaking havoc on your body, damaging DNA and accelerating aging. Antioxidants scoop them up and neutralize them. White tea is loaded with these protective nutrients.

Cancer Prevention

White tea may have profound power against cancer-causing cells and against many different types of cancer, such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent the development of new ones. In some cases, white tea has been found to work as well as prescription drugs, but without the side effects.

White Tea and Colon Cancer

Medicine Without Side Effects: A 2003 white tea and colon cancer study found that it outperforms clinical drugs and green tea.

A 2003 study conducted by Oregon State University found that white tea treats colon cancer in mice. The scientists compared white tea, green tea and sundalic in preventing colon cancer. Sundalic belongs to a family of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), of which aspirin is a member.

NSAID drugs are increasingly prescribed for treating cancer and heart disease. They are effective, but have been known to cause severe side effects such as bleeding, ulcers and even death.

In the study, mice prone to developing tumours in their intestines were given either white tea, green tea or sundalic to drink. After 12 weeks, untreated mice developed 30 tumours. Mice that drank green tea and white tea developed 17 and 13 tumours respectively.

The best result went to mice that drank both white tea and sundalic; they developed the lowest number of tumours – 6. “The use of tea in combination with NSAIDs may allow for the use of lower, less toxic doses of NSAIDs,” said Dr Gayle Orner. “Therefore, this widely consumed beverage may be useful in the prevention of intestinal cancer in genetically predisposed individuals.”

White Tea Health Benefits

White Tea Lower Blood Pressure

Studies show that white tea can thin the blood and improve artery function. It helps lower high blood pressure and maintain a healthy one. By promoting strong and healthy blood vessels, white tea guards against the ravages of stroke.

White Tea Lower Cholesterol

Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been found to reduce cholesterol, and white tea is teeming with them. Cholesterol is a special type of fat and is necessary for health. There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, and white tea increases the good while decreasing the bad. This helps prevent hardening of the arteries and blockage of blood flow.

White Tea for Heart Protection

By thinning the blood, lowering blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol, white tea protects the heart and the entire circulatory system. Researchers have also discovered that people who drink 2 or more cups of tea a day are almost 50% less likely to die after suffering a heart attack. White tea is truly a remarkable heart tonic.

White Tea for Stronger Bones

Studies have found that people who drank tea regularly had greater bone density and strength than non-drinkers. White tea may also have beneficial effects for sufferers of arthritis and osteoporosis.

White Tea for Antibacterial & Antiviral

White tea is a natural killer of bacteria and viruses. The antioxidants so abundant in white tea tone the entire immune system, providing protection against a variety of invaders and a wide range of diseases. Its helps guard against the common cold and flu, and can ease the symptoms of HIV.

White Tea for Healthy Teeth & Gums

White tea contains small amounts of fluoride and other nutrients which keeps the teeth strong and healthy. It also kills the bacteria which causes plaque, tooth decay, and bad breath.

White Tea for Healthy Skin

Free radicals from staying out in the sun too long, stress, and a poor diet can damage the skin and cause it to prematurely age. By scavenging these free radicals, white tea protects the skin and helps to reverse some of the damage. Drinking white tea promotes healthy and radiant skin.

White tea has many other benefits to offer. It may reduce blood sugar and help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of diabetes. It reduces stress and increases energy.

White tea may or may not aid in weight-loss. Studies suggest tea may increase metabolism and encourage the body to burn more fat, but a balanced diet and regular exercise are more likely to produce results. Still, adding white tea to your weight-loss plan can’t hurt.

White Tea Preparation

Buy High-Quality Loose-Leaf White Tea
The best white teas come in loose-leaf form. They have far superior quality and flavor than bagged tea, which usually comes from dust at the bottom of the tea bin.

Brew 3-5 Minutes In Very Hot Water
Like green tea, white tea is best brewed with pure water that is very hot, but not boiling. For stronger flavor, steep for a few minutes longer. Use 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per cup.

Drink 2-4 Cups Of White Tea Daily
Studies show that 2-4 cups of white tea a day yield greater health benefits than only one cup. To stretch your tea supply and your money, simply resteep the leaves once or twice to extract all the nutrients.

Dr. Orner prefers people drinking white tea than taking concentrated polyphenol supplements. Here is her advice: “If you choose to use polyphenol supplements instead, I’d recommend not exceeding the amount present in 6 to 8 cups of tea.”

When reusing tea leaves, brew for several minutes longer than the first steeping.

Create Your Own Daily Tea Ritual
Set aside a few minutes every day for your own Tea Ritual. Spend a few quiet moments just relaxing and enjoying your tea. Not only are you getting health benefits from the tea, but also from the stress relief. It’s one of the favorite parts of our day and a great way to enjoy white tea.

Try New Varieties Of White Tea
It’s good to try new things. The world of tea offers a vast range of choices. If possible, try the higher grade white teas, like the Silver Needle. Try a new tea or new variety every month, or every 2 or 3 months. Set aside a certain amount per month for “Tea Exploration”.

Good Tea is a journey for a lifetime. Explore. Experiment. Be Bold.

White Tea Varieties

There are four main varieties of white tea: Silver Needle, White Peony, Long Life Eyebrow, and Tribute Eyebrow.

• Silver Needle (Baihao Yinzhen): The finest white tea, made only of silvery white buds. Beautiful to behold and delightful to drink. It is the most famous white tea, with a delicate, light, and slightly sweet flavor.
• White Peony (Bai Mudan): Next highest in quality, White Peony consists of buds and leaves. The best White Peony has both bud and leaf covered in silvery white hair. It tends to have a stronger taste and darker color than Silver Needle.
• Long Life Eyebrow (Shou Mei): A lower rank white tea, Long Life Eyebrow is made from leaves left over after the Silver Needle and White Peony harvest.
• Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei): Another lesser white tea, Tribute Eyebrow is made from a special tea bush and is processed in a slightly different way than other white teas.

There are a number of other white tea varieties, some named after the region of origin, others for special ingredients added to the leaves and buds. Fruits are a popular addition and add extra sweetness to the flavor. Every variety has something to offer, experiment and find your own favorites.