Entries by Weight Loss Story

Tuesday, September 2. 2008

Explore the Benefits of Wu Long Tea

Tea is one of those amazing products of nature that can bless us with almost countless benefits for the health of our minds and bodies ? and Wu Long Tea is no exception. Also known as Oolong Tea, this type of hot drink has been around for centuries, but we are just now starting to learn what the ancient peoples knew long ago ? that Wu Long Tea is one of the secret ingredients for anyone looking to boost their dieting success. You see, this special kind of tea contains all kinds of different natural ingredients that are highly effective at increasing the body?s metabolism and helping you burn calories faster.

The effects of Wu Long Tea have been studied for quite some time, with one of the most recent publications reaching the market in 2003. This study showed the world that there actually were helpful benefits for people who were looking to lose weight by drinking this particular type of tea. By testing the tea against water and other tea, it was shown that the Wu Long Tea was able to increase the metabolism of the study?s participants by as much as ten percent ? a huge jump if you need that extra boost to help shed those pesky pounds.

While the metabolism boosting benefits of Wu Long Tea are downright incredible, even if you are not into losing weight this type of tea is still one of the best you can drink. It contains around half of the amount of caffeine as most of the typical green teas on the market ? which means that you will not get nearly the buzz that you would get from drinking other types of tea. Also, as with many other teas, Wu Long Tea contains a good amount of ECGC, a chemical that has been shown to have multiple cancer fighting properties.

For more information on Wu Long Tea try visiting http://www.benefitofgreentea.info/ a website that specializes in providing Wu Long Tea related tips, advice and resources.

Health Benefits of Wu Long Tea

Research studies on the health benefits of wu long tea (also referred to as oolong tea) reveal the brew?s potential to reverse signs of aging, facilitate weight loss, and promote overall wellness.

While all teas possess similar properties including caffeine, catechin, polyphenals, and teaflavin tearubigin that provide benefits to the human body, the quantities and percentages differ depending on the extent of oxidation during production.

Therefore the health benefits of wu long tea, which is semi-fermented, vary from those offered by green tea with its limited processing and black tea with its extensive oxidation process.
Following are some research studies that point to the health benefits of wu long tea consumption.

WEIGHT LOSS:

Scientists from Japan's University of Tokushima School of Medicine found that people who regularly consumed oolong tea experienced more than twice the calorie-burning results compared to those who drank green tea.

A study published in the Journal of Medical Investigation found that women who consumed wu-long tea directly after a meal increased energy expenditure by 10%. This compared to an energy expenditure of 4% for green tea drinkers and 0 for water drinkers.

Researchers at the Suntory Research Center in Osaka, Japan found that drinking wu long tea 15 minutes before eating foods high in carbohydrates curbed rises in insulin, thus reducing some of the fattening effects of carbohydrate intake.

ENHANCED SKIN CONDITION:

Researchers from Japan's Shiga University of Medical Science found that drinking wu long each day helps to clear up skin problems within one month.

Dr. Kenichi Yanagimoto and colleagues from the University of California found that people who drank wu long tea on a daily basis experienced a fifty-percent reduction in free radicals within 15 days.

Free radicals are damaging substances in the body that contribute to signs of aging, including wrinkles and dark spots that are caused by ultra-violet rays, chemical food additives, pollution and stress.

HEALTHY TEETH:

A study by the Department of Dentistry at Japan's Osaka University showed that regular consumption of oolong tea strengthens teeth and helps prevent tooth decay by inhibiting the build-up of plaque.

STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM:

According to a study published in Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, test subjects who consumed wu long were found to have stronger immune systems and a reduced risk for infections.

While the results of these and other studies are promising, you should always talk with your doctor about the health benefits of wu long tea before adding the brew or other varieties to your daily diet for therapeutic purposes.

This article was written by Jules Sowder. Visit Learn-About-Tea.com for more information on tea, including varieties, health benefits, selection, accessories, gift-giving and entertaining.

Are Oolong Tea And Wu Long Tea The Same?

Whether it is called oolong tea or wu long tea, it means the same type of tea.

The reason for the different spellings is due to the two common systems used to Romanize the Mandarin language, which consists of Chinese characters and not letters. One system is called Wades Giles, the other is called the Pinyin system.

When translating the first character in the Mandarin meaning for this tea type using the Wade Giles style, we get the pronunciation "Oo"...and when using the Pinyin system, we get the pronunciation "Wu". Put them together with the other characters, and you get either "oo-long-cha", or "wu-long-cha". (Oolong tea, or Wu long tea.)

This tea is also known as "brown tea", and in the past was also referred to as "rock tea".

Oolong tea is a beverage sort of in between green tea and black tea, although most varieties have more green tea characteristics. The leaves of this tea type are not fully oxidized as much as black tea, but are allowed to ferment longer than green tea leaves would. The result is a cup of tea that is quite unique.

Wu long tea can come in many varieties, and is mainly produced in China or Taiwan. However, it is noted that the best oolong tea comes from Taiwan. Chinese oolongs brew a darker brownish liquor and produce a taste that is slightly "woody" with some mild sweet notes. The leaves are also broader than their Taiwan cousins, and are rolled length-wise instead of in to curly balls.

Taiwan varieties brew a cup that has a more golden color, and a brew that tastes more "flowery" compared to the Chinese oolongs. Some varieties come real close to resembling green tea, and even have a slight vegetal taste save the sweeter flavors that may be present as well. As mentioned above, the leaves are rolled in to curly balls which open up revealing leaves that are the largest of the four types of tea.

In Taiwan, many folks consume this tea and only a very small percentage is available for export. It is estimated that only around two percent is shipped out of the country.

Some noted health benefits of this tea type are similar to what green tea offers; in fact the tea has shown to increase thermogenesis in the body quicker compared to green tea, which is the act of the body "heating up" resulting in calories to burn quicker.

In a study done at Japan's University of Tokushima School of Medicine, which was published in the Journal of Medical Investigation, found that wu long tea has more than twice the calorie burning properties than Japanese green tea. People who consumed wu long over green tea daily experienced better fat oxidation; which equals weight loss. However, proper exercise and dieting is a must and is very important in accompanying these weight loss benefits.

Other studies show that wu long tea helps destroy free radicals in our bodies which could mean younger and healthier looking skin, as well as a decreased risk of certain tumor development.

Brewing oolong is very much the same as brewing black tea. For best results regarding flavor and obtaining maximum health benefits, use loose leaf tea and natural spring water or well-filtered water. Bring to a boil and let steep for around 4 to 5 minutes in a large infuser allowing the leaves room to open. Poor and enjoy with friends or family.

With so many varieties of this tea, years of enjoyment await along with the possibility of a healthier lifestyle!

Learn more facts and information about oolong tea

David Carloni is the creator and webmaster of The Color Of Tea.com

An online resource guide that offers information, tips, facts, varieties, and the introduction to the simple pleasures of brewing and enjoying loose leaf tea.