Benefits of Drinking Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is a renowned traditional Chinese tea, derived from the leaves of a Camellia sinensis plant. It is a partially oxidised or fermented tea where the tea leaves are exposed to the air for a period of time. Oolong tea is especially popular in China and Taiwan.

Here is a list of 7 benefits of drinking oolong tea:

1) Prevent Diabetes

Oolong tea is known to have higher antioxidant levels compared to the common green or black tea. The nutrients help to provide mechanical support to our body cells and protect us from illnesses, diseases and ageing. It mainly consists of polyphenols which decrease insulin resistance in our muscles and fat cells. This allows faster absorption of glucose into our body cells. Thus, reducing the blood glucose (sugar) level in the blood and lowering the risk of diabetes. 

2) Improve Cardiac Health

The polyphenols in oolong tea speed up the digestion of lipids in our blood. Cholesterol and triglycerides are both risk factors that contribute to the hardening of arterial walls which narrows the lumen of the arteries and increases blood pressure. This increases the risk of blood clot formation that can restrict oxygenated blood circulation. Drinking oolong tea breaks down fatty lipids and prevents heart diseases and strokes.

3) Promote Weight Loss

Oolong tea helps to dispose of body fat deposits in metabolic ways. The muscle cells activate the breakdown of fatty tissues stored in the fats. This helps to burn up unused calories and increase the body’s metabolic rate, allowing weight loss to be achieved in the long run.

4) Boost Cerebral Activity

Oolong tea contains a high amount of L-theanine which improves mental health conditions such as stress, depression and anxiety by providing relief through a better quality of sleep. It contains antioxidants that neutralise free radicals that cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. It also contains caffeine that produces the dopamine hormone in the brain, improving cognitive function, attention span and memory skills.

5) Fight certain Cancers

Oolong tea contains a high level of antioxidants that help prevent the body cells from undergoing mutation. Cancerous cells divide uncontrollably and repeatedly to form a tumour which can spread through the blood and lymphatic system to form cancers in our body. In addition, the polyphenols present in oolong tea minimise the rate of cancerous cell division development. Thus, oolong tea helps to lower the chances of certain types of cancers such as lung, liver and pancreas cancers. 

6) Bone Strength

It contains fluoride that strengthens the teeth enamel and avoids decay or cavities by delaying the bacterial acidic production of plaque. Furthermore, it builds up bone density which is the number of minerals and calcium in the fluid tissue of the bones. This helps to reduce the risk of any fractures.

7) Alleviate Eczema

Eczema is a skin irritation that is difficult to cure completely. It is a common treatment to rub tea tree oil or coconut oil to moisturise and relieve dry itchy skin. In place of using creams based on tea extracts, drinking oolong tea is a better solution to heal eczema.

Try out our Earthy Oolong here. If you’re looking for the classic Oolong tea, have a look at our Ti Kuan Yin Oolong tea. If you’re into a fruity flavour, check out our Mangoo Oolong tea, Orange Oolong tea and Celesteal mild Ti Kuan Yin oolong tea with the flavour of a plum.