Oolong tea is popular in many countries such as Vietnam, the UK, and China. Tim Bond, a British doctor from the Tea Advisory Board, describes it as a premium tea. He recommends people to drink this type of tea because of the surprising health benefits it brings.
Oolong tea is processed using a special method. First, the tea leaves are sun-dried to wither them, and then they undergo a deep oxidation process before being dried.
A cup of oolong tea contains about 38mg of caffeine, while a cup of coffee contains 50-80mg of caffeine. You can use oolong tea as a substitute for coffee to maintain alertness without experiencing the excessive effects of caffeine.
The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) state that consuming up to 400mg of caffeine per day is safe. Therefore, you can enjoy more than one cup of oolong tea per day to enhance concentration and energy when needed.
Blood Sugar Control and Diabetes Prevention
Oolong tea contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants that help control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Chinese scientists conducted studies in 2019 and 2021 to demonstrate the effects of oolong tea in preventing diabetes. Another study in 2023 also showed that oolong tea can lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Cholesterol Reduction and Improved Cardiovascular Health
A 2017 study by the Beijing University Health Science Center showed that regular tea drinkers like oolong tea have stable blood pressure, low cholesterol levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Another study on 76,000 adults in Japan also showed that men who consumed about 240ml of oolong tea per day had a 61% lower risk of developing heart disease. In China, there are also many studies that prove that when adults drink 1-2 cups of oolong tea per day, it significantly reduces the risk of stroke.
Oolong tea has only one-third the amount of caffeine in coffee, so it does not cause negative effects related to blood pressure.
Weight Loss Support and Obesity Prevention
Caffeine and polyphenols in oolong tea help increase the inhibition of enzymes and the number of calories burned each day. Therefore, it can support weight loss and prevent obesity.
According to recent research, oolong tea helps increase the oxidation process of fat, helping to reduce body fat. Previously, in Japan, a study showed the ability to enhance calorie burning in adults who regularly used oolong tea.
Improvement of Brain Function
Theanine, antioxidants, and the amount of caffeine in oolong tea are beneficial for maintaining brain function, reducing memory decline, and protecting the brain from aging.
A 2008 study showed that the more oolong tea is consumed, the lower the risk of cognitive decline in individuals. Another study in 2010 showed that regularly drinking oolong tea improves cognition, memory, executive function, and information processing speed in older adults in China.
Prevention of Some Types of Cancer
According to Chinese scientists, the antioxidants in oolong tea can prevent cell mutations that lead to cancer. Oolong tea also contains polyphenols that can reduce the division of cancer cells.
In recent years, many studies have shown a relationship between oolong tea consumption and a reduced risk of certain types of cancer such as lung, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, and colorectal cancer. However, more clinical studies are needed to confirm this potential of oolong tea.