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For many years, the tea industry has been extolling the virtues of drinking green tea in particular. It is said to help combat many problems ranging from cancer to halitosis. But how could the humble drink of tea, consumed for thousands of years in China, have these amazing properties? The answer lies in the fact that tea leaves appear to be high in antioxidants. These chemicals are essential in the body to prevent damage. Over the last few years it has become evident that white tea contains higher levels of antioxidants than green tea and many studies have been made to try to establish exactly what healthy properties it has. But please bear in mind that these studies are all small scale and therfore difficult to control exactly. Here are some of the improvements to your life with which white tea is associated. Anti-ageing Well, not exactly anti-ageing but rather the reduction of the visible effects of ageing. A 2009 study made by the Kingston University, London tested 21 different plant and herb extracts. White tea was found to contain the highest levels of antioxidants. They also discovered the astonishing fact that the chemicals in this variety of tea can prevent the activity of enzymes responsible for the breakdown of elastin and collagen in the body. Reduction in levels of the latter two substances leads to wrinkles. Anti-arthritis The Kingston study also revealed that it can reduce inflammation naturally. Inflammation is one of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, all reports of this characteristic seem to be based on the Kingston study alone so more evidence is required to substantiate the claim. Anti-obesity A German study by Beiersdorf AG in 2009 studied the biological effects of a white tea exctract on human fat cells which showed that the extract inhibits the formation of new fat cells and accelerates the breakdown of fats inside the existing cells. This was carried out not on human subjects but just lab cultured cells, however, if it is found to occur in the body as well as in isolation, them maybe the claims of tea having a slimming effect could be regarded as genuine. Anti-cancer The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the USA carried out studies that were reported in 2010 that suggest that White tea may have the ability to kill certain cancer cells. Lung cancer cells were the subject of the study. The extract caused cell death, depending on the dose, but more work is required if it is to be established as a treatment for cells growing within the body. Anti-diabetes Chinese studies in 2011 at the institute of nutrition and food safety has found that drinking white tea appeared to reduce the glucose levels in the blood so regular consumption, whilst not being a cure, could help with the management of diabetes by reducing several of the symptoms. Whilst these studies are far from conclusive, at some point in the future, white tea extracts may be used in medecine to manage or prevent a wide variety of conditions. In the meantime, given that it has the highest levels of antioxidants, higher even than green tea, what do you have to lose by drinking it on a regular basis. Even if id does not have the reported medicinal effects, it tastes good! Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment only and should not be used as a basis for treatment of any of the conditions described. It is not a scientific endorsement of any medicinal benefits of this rather tasty form of tea. Make sure that you improve your health, grab yourself some top quality Chinese White Tea before it's too late - www.innteas.com
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