In recent years, black tea — the star of our tables — has gained many alternatives. One you'll see on supermarket shelves is white tea! As nFit dietitians, we put this wonderful drink and its countless benefits under the microscope. Here are the unique qualities of nature's magic elixir, white tea.
What sets white tea apart is that its leaves are completely unprocessed. It doesn't come from a different plant than black or green tea — but while black tea undergoes the most processing (withering, firing, drying, fermentation) and green tea less, white tea is not processed at all. Because it isn't processed, white tea preserves its antioxidant capacity and phytochemicals far better.
Preserving its content so well brings many benefits. Thanks to its high antioxidant effect, white tea helps reduce stress in the body and supports cell renewal, helping lower the likelihood of premature ageing — so with white tea you can defy the years and say “stop” to ageing!
Anyone wanting to protect their oral and dental health should start drinking white tea too. Thanks to its flavonoids and tannins, it helps stop the growth of the bacteria that cause plaque, and its fluoride content helps reduce the risk of tooth decay.
This wonderful drink may also offer protective effects against cancer. Studies suggest white tea's anti-cancer effect may trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) and show a protective effect particularly for lung cancer — though more research is needed to understand its cancer-protective properties.
Good news for people managing diabetes: white tea may help ease diabetes symptoms. Studies show that people with diabetes who regularly drink white tea saw increased insulin release, lower plasma glucose levels and reduced thirst. You can see these effects without diabetes too. If you're genetically prone to diabetes, or your lifestyle and eating put you at risk, it's worth getting to know white tea's benefits. Its flavonoids also support cardiovascular health, helping lower blood pressure and protect the heart and vessels.
Nature's magic elixir also supports weight loss. With its high antioxidant capacity, this wonderful drink helps speed up metabolism, balance appetite and support fat burning.
Gentle and easy to drink, white tea can be enjoyed at 3–5 cups a day. If you want to steady your blood sugar or curb sweet cravings, add a cinnamon stick or a clove to enjoy this delicious tea. Although white tea has countless benefits and very low caffeine, we recommend that people with a chronic illness, pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, those on regular medication, and anyone undergoing treatment check with their doctor and dietitian before drinking it.