White tea research

[WhiteTeaWizard]

I'm starting this topic for the posting of new developments on white tea research with an emphasis on health benefits.

I assume that the health benifits of white and green tea are very similar, but wonder if white tea posesses additional qualities. Since it is the least processed of the types perhaps there is some validity to this.
There is of course much research being done on green tea, but what about white tea? Perhaps the slow start on white tea research is due to its relative newness to westerners?

Anyway, so far it has been found that white tea has a higher anti-bacterial and anti-viral effect than green tea.


drink tea!

[WhiteTeaWizard]

"Researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute tested four types of white tea for their ability to inhibit mutations in bacteria, and subsequently examined the protective properties in a rat colon cancer model. In the former studies using bacteria, white teas were generally more effective than green tea in inhibiting mutagenicity (mutagenicity is a result of unrepaired/misrepaired DNA damage and an early step in the process leading to cancer). White teas contained many of the expected polyphenols, some of which were present at higher concentrations than in green tea brewed under the same conditions. Other constituents, such as caffeine, also were present at higher levels in white tea."
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/new/whitetea.html

[javyn]

Interesting, Wizard. You are truly a white tea expert

[WhiteTeaWizard]

No, no. Just a wizard.


Here's some brief info gleaned:

"White tea contains the same types of polyphenols as green tea, but in different proportions."

"Lab tests on four varieties of white tea showed that it may prevent prevent DNA mutations, the earliest steps leading to cancer. White tea may protect against colon cancer in particular."

"White tea geneally contains more caffeine than other teas."
--This is interesting. It contradicts a common belief that white tea has the least amount of caffeine of all types of tea. Also, it explains why many who are caffeine sensitive respond strongly after drinking white tea.

Well, it may be that white tea may have green tea in regards to its health benefits. Hopefully the research keeps up. I can't find it all though, so if anyone finds anything else...

articles:
Study finds rare tea may be healthiest of all. Science Daily, April 13, 2000.
White tea wards off colon cancer. On Health, March 31, 2000.