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.
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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