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Spice It Up With Spicy Oolong

We all need some spice in our lives. Life can get really boring, really fast. While not diving too deep into the philosophical aspects of our lives, a simple cup of tea can definitely be a pick-me-up. A prime example would be Spicy Oolong– Your regular oolong tea with the spicy twist of cinnamon. If you have never heard of oolong tea or how it’s good for you, then keep reading. 

What is Oolong Tea?

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea. Just like green tea or black tea, oolong tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The main difference is the method of processing. Oolong tea is partially oxidized: less than black tea but more than green tea. This partial oxidation is the reason for oolong tea’s characteristic taste and colour. Due to the partial oxidisation, oolong tea has the best of both worlds.

Now that you know about oolong tea, let’s dive deeper into the health benefits it offers.

Teapot with printed art filled with Oolong tea leaves
Photo by Jose Esquivel from Pexels

Oolong Tea May Help in Managing your Weight

A natural way to incorporate healthy measures into your diet is to consume tea. Of course, a balanced diet and regular exercise are a must. A lot of studies suggest that tea can play a crucial role in managing body weight. 

Oolong tea is a traditional semi-oxidized Chinese tea. It is different when it comes to taste and aroma, but the benefits are pretty similar to regular tea.

In a study done on 12 men, it was found that compared to water, those who drank tea had more energy in general. The energy expenditure of the men who were given full-strength tea was increased by 2.9%.

May Reduce the Risk of Cancer

One of the most deadly diseases on the face of the earth, cancer has no guaranteed way to be cured. It can only be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, and treatment is also very risky with very low chances of survival. 

The consumption of most types of teas provides properties that drastically affect our lives. Oolong tea has chemopreventive properties that may help keep this disease at bay.

In a study done on black tea extracts, it was found to exhibit anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative, and anti-neoplastic activities. These activities indicate the potential for the prevention of cancer in humans as well.

Oolong Tea May Prevent Heart Disease

Heart diseases are very common these days. People who are overweight have a higher risk of heart failure. The New Delhi Birth Cohort has revealed in a PubMed research, that “The annual number of deaths from CVD (cardiovascular disease) in India is projected to rise from 2.26 million (1990) to 4.77 million (2020)”.

A study done on 12 men reported that consumption of tea helped them exhibit increasing energy expenditure and fat oxidation. More energy expenditure means less accumulation of lipid, which can decrease the incidence of heart disease.

Another study revealed that 600 out of 1507 subjects who were regular tea drinkers, had a 46% decreased risk of developing hypertension.  

Oolong Tea Acts as an Antioxidant

Oxidative stress is a serious problem that can pave the way for chronic diseases like heart conditions. It is caused by the damage done by free radicals in our bodies. Antioxidants are compounds that reduce or prevent the chance of oxidative stress and hence they are extremely important for us.

Studies reveal that oolong tea shows antioxidant activity between 233 and 532 µmol/g, which is pretty significant. The researchers noticed a modest increase in human plasma antioxidant capacity upon oolong tea consumption.

The compounds responsible for this are Theasinensins,  A–E/alpha-tocopherol, and Theasinensins A–E. They decrease lipid peroxidation, which is a good thing against free radical damage.

Oolong Tea is Anti-Inflammatory 

Inflammation is a process that starts in our bodies once an injury takes place. It can lead to heat, pain, redness, swelling as our body tries to protect itself. But long-term inflammation, lasting for prolonged periods of several months to years, is a bad thing.

Research suggests that ethanol extract of oolong tea shows pro-angiogenic activity mediating protective effects on inflammation. 

Oolong reduces plasma MCP-1, which is another indication of its anti-inflammatory properties. Other components such as flavonoids such as cate-chins, theaflavins, and theasinensins also contribute to its anti-inflammatory nature.

Oolong Tea is also Anti-Diabetic

Diabetes can be very difficult to live with. There is no way to cure it, therefore preventing it is our only option. One way to do this is by incorporating tea into our diets.

Oolong tea may help reduce the risk of diabetes. In a study done on diabetic rats, Oolong tea reduced plasma glucose from 229 to 162.2 mg/dL. Theasinensins play a major role in the anti-diabetic property of Oolong tea. Theasinensins A has shown antihyperglycemic responses in diabetic mice.

Then What About The Spice?

Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of the small tree Cinnamomum. Doctors have used cinnamon for medical purposes since medieval times. Cinnamon has a sweet and woody flavour with a slight citrusy note. As it offers a lot of health benefits, we often use it as a spice. 

Cinnamon May Lower Cholesterol Levels

According to research done for the Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, cinnamon may help in lowering the cholesterol levels in our blood. C. zeylanicum and C. cassia, both types of cinnamon have shown cholesterol-lowering and lipid-lowering properties.

To quote the results, “After 40 days, 1, 3, or 6 g of cinnamon daily reduced mean fasting serum glucose (18–29%), triglyceride (23–30%), LDL cholesterol (7–27%), and total cholesterol (12–26%) levels”. The researchers noted no significant changes in the placebo groups.

Cinnamon May Improve Oral Health

Commonly used as an additive for flavour, this aromatic condiment has other benefits than making our food better. Cinnamon’s oral health benefits mainly come due to the prime component named cinnamaldehyde.

Research demonstrates that the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties of cinnamon allow it to effectively cleanse our mouth. That’s why cinnamon has traditionally been used as tooth powder and to treat toothaches, dental problems, etc.

Cinnamon is Full of Antioxidants

Cinnamon is famous for its essential oils. These aromatic essential oils are responsible for their taste, flavour, and aroma. Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help in preserving foods for longer a duration of time, and the consumption of antioxidants prevents oxidative stress. 

A study shows that various extracts of cinnamon have shown considerable antioxidant activity. They also prevent age-related ailments. Especially the methanol extract of cinnamon has the maximum anti-oxidant property. Cinnamon’s antioxidant property is mainly due to the eugenol component which has inhibited peroxynitrite-induced nitration and lipid peroxidation in the tests.

Cinnamon is Anti-Inflammatory

Tests suggest that cinnamon and its essential oils show significant anti-inflammatory properties. 

The researchers suggested that the use of cinnamon for consumption may be beneficial for the therapeutic treatment or prevention of some inflammation-mediated neurodegenerative diseases. 

Including cinnamon as a spice in your diet is heavily beneficial. Another way of consuming cinnamon may be in the form of tea. Try Spicy Oolong, for instance.

Cinnamon is also Anti-Diabetic

Medical professionals often use cinnamon-based supplements to treat diseases like diabetes. Diabetics often struggle with managing their glycemic index. Consumption of cinnamon may help in managing type-2 diabetes. 

Research shows that cinnamon contributes to better diabetic health by not only normalizing the blood sugar levels but also the lipid profile and blood pressure that play an important role in the prevention of further problems in a diabetic person.

A Spicy Twist

The sweet and woody aroma of Spicy Oolong will definitely uplift your mood. Spicy Oolong is sweet, woody and astringent in taste– a must-try!

So, after reading all these benefits, you might be interested in trying out Spicy Oolong by yourself. If so, you can order a trial pack for starters, or you can take that leap of faith and order the 30-day pack. Either way, make sure to let us know how you liked it.

Want to stick to black tea, but also try something new? Try the traditional British brew Earl Grey. If you like exploring new and exciting brews, check out 7 Reasons To Try Rooibos Tea. Stay safe and stay healthy!

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Want to Win the Battle Against the Effects of Fast Food?

Fast-food effects

When you have a tsunami of food brands that only aims to entice you into shelling loads of money buying fast food, you don’t have much of a fight. Fast food does taste awesome! Plus, in a world where you have to streak through the day with loads of work and an enormous amount of stress, finding relief and pleasure in fast foods is not uncommon. But take a moment and GET REAL. Apart from blessing you with ungodly amounts of harmful chemicals and junk, fast food could play a sinister role in killing you with bad cholesterol and saturated fat. It has incredible abilities to turn your stomach into a junkyard.

 

We have these weapons of mass destruction on every street corner, and they’re called donuts, cheeseburgers, French fries, potato chips, junk food. Our kids are living on a junk food diet.
– Joel Fuhrman

 

On the pretext of seeking instant gratification in the present, you risk your future. You may be aware of this fact. But you behave as if engulfed in a prison of pleasure. Think again! It’s time to keep your fast-food pangs under control. It’s time to bid farewell to your fast-food addiction and the resulting wave of risks it brings to your health. And, tea can help you in a big way. Know how.

 

Tip 1: Detox your system. With tea.

Fast-food effectsIt is imperative to detox your system regularly. You have raced and danced in the world of fast-food dirt tracks, and you expect the body to clean all of it by itself? You need to give your body a hand.

Detox tea could be the answer to your woes. Celebrities from all domains swear by the benefits of detox tea, making it look like the new super food! Hold your horses! Don’t succumb to the marketing gimmicks. Detox teas work best when accompanied with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Yes, eat right, you must! Exercise regularly, you must! Wondering what these teas are? Detox teas are simply herbal teas, also called tisanes. Ono Teas offers a range of such teas, including Peppermint tea, Skin Glow Herbal tea and Hibiscus tea.

 

Peppermint tea

This tea is a beautiful combination of spearmint, peppermint and regular mint, offering you an ideal herbal minty experience. This tea cleanses your body, improves long-term memory, promotes oral health, boosts energy and reduces allergy.

 

Skin Glow Herbal tea

This tea is a herbal tisane that has been carefully crafted to keep the body in perfect balance. With a combination of the medicinal properties of turmeric, ginger root and lemongrass, this caffeine-free tea is great for slimming down, and healthy skin and hair.

 

Hibiscus tea

We process this ‘all red’ herbal tisane with handpicked Hibiscus petals in small batches to offer you a delicious citrus treat. This exotic, soothing caffeine-free herbal tea is recommended for detox in addition to decreasing blood pressure, reducing cholesterol and lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

 

The above teas are excellent in flushing out toxins and bad cholesterol from your system. Regular consumption of these teas will offer you the elixir of rejuvenation.

 

Tip 2: Invest in nutrition.

Fast-food effectsIt is the first step to beat any further damage to your health caused by junk food. It is paramount that you need to stop excess intake of alcohol, coffee, smoking, meat, and fast food addictions in the next few hours. It’s necessary! Let this piece of news be your truth of the day.

You must start scheduling what you eat, why you eat and how much you eat. Introduce a whole food, nutritious diet to your lifestyle instead of pumping your body with foods that it doesn’t need. Do not dwell in YOLO. As you quit your addictions and slowly move towards the right kind of foods, you will experience the radical change – longevity and delayed aging. Remember, you are what you eat!

 

Tip 3: Sip tea. Simple!

Bring a change

Fast-food effectsLet’s be honest here. You cannot always maintain a schedule of ginger juices and green veggies to stay healthy. Sometimes you need a break from the not-so-boring-yet-boring diet food hassle. There’s where tea steps. Tea can serve as an excellent stimulant to help you stick to the lifestyle practices mentioned above. Moreover, tea is incredibly healthy, tasty and refreshing. You could begin your day with Turmeric Herbal tea. Turmeric is not only a great anti-inflammatory agent, but it also repairs your system within by providing antioxidants to your body.

Familiar with the over sensationalized protein, right? Protein fills your system with a lot of nutrients, making you feel full. Did you know that a fantastic green tea protein shake not only gives you protein but also kills cholesterol and saturated fats? You can blend tea with your protein shakes, thus supplying your system with ultra-rich bioactive compounds to build strength and cleanse your body at the same time. Moreover, you need a robust system to digest your protein intakes efficiently. So, tea and your protein foods work hand in hand.

 

De-stress with tea

Fast-food effectsThe effects of fast foods also steer their way towards impairing health when you don’t give yourself the breathing space or moments of solitude that your mind and body always need. Worry not, you have Hojicha or Tulsi Lemongrass tea to your aid. These teas not only have excellent compounds to help you repair and restore your health but also prove to be your best me-time drink.

Answering the concern of addressing daily stress – you can drink tea to bust your stress. When you meddle all your day in stressful work, your mind will run towards the hallways of junk food. To shoot two cans with one bullet, start having herbal tea. Teas, such as Pure Chamomile tea, Chamomile Lemongrass tea, Oolong tea, Darjeeling tea, Hojicha tea, and Earl Grey tea are the ultimate stress busters. You can manage your stress levels efficiently by avoiding fast-food, introducing a healthy diet, and sipping herbal tea every day.

 

Teas to calm you

Your sleep patterns are significantly affected by the fast-foods you gobble. Fast foods introduce parasites into your bowels which affect your digestion ultimately catapulting your sleep pattern into a dark abyss. You can blindly trust Pure Chamomile tea to relieve you from stress and give you a good night’s sleep. Chamomile is considered as a mild tranquilizer and aids your sleep greatly. A study published in PubMed Central, part of National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), has hinted that the compound, apigenin in chamomile might be responsible for the sedative effect of the tea.

Fast-food effectsHerbal tea is an excellent de-stressing and health-giving beverage, unlike coffee and beer. It does not only bring a promise of health, but also a sense of contentment in whatever you do. Be it watching a movie, reading a book, or attending a meditation session; tea is an excellent drink to offer you tranquility. Thus, replacing your coffee and beer with tea is a positive step for you to counter fast food effects and also the craving. Turmeric Herbal tea and Tulsi Lemongrass tea are known to rid your body of the toxins slowly. Green tea helps to lose weight, prevent the formation of cancerous cells, restores oral health and helps your body cleanse itself.

 

To conclude

Your decision to quit and combat the effects of fast food may be hard to come by. But once you decide on it, accept it wholeheartedly with a calm state of mind and with some tea. Your cognitive clarity is linked to how healthy your system is. If you keep treating your tummy as a junkyard, it will be tougher for you to cleanse your body efficiently. Introducing tea into your daily routine acts as a blessing. No hectic workouts, no time-consuming meal plans. Keep a regular schedule of exercise and yoga and enhance its effects with tea. At a time where even your conscious decision tells you to binge on fast food, avoid the impulse. Starve your body of fast food and slowly and steadily make tea a great friend in everything you do.

 

 

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Ono Teas handcrafts full leaf teas suiting every moment you want to cherish, whether it is solitude or conversations with friends or just a leisurely health drink to counter lifestyle disorders. You can shop from our range of green teas, black teas, blends or tisanes based on the moment you want to celebrate.

To buy Ono Teas online, visit our website.
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References/Additional Reading

Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future

Junk-Food Facts

Tea and Health: Studies in Humans