Green Tea

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Mr. Tea: I pity the foo' that doesnt read this
"Red tea" is the name the Chinese use for what we in the west call "black tea." All true tea comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The differences between types of tea result from different methods of processing the leaves. For green tea, the tea leaves are steamed, rolled and dried, a method that preserves the content of polyphenols, antioxidant compounds that confer the well-known health benefits of tea. For black tea, the leaves undergo a process of oxidation that changes the color and flavor and reduces the content of polyphenols. Oolong is intermediate between green and black tea ? in color, flavor and polyphenol content.

You may also have heard of "white tea," imported from one region of China. This is the least processed form, with an even greater antioxidant activity than green tea. It produces a very pale infusion with a very delicate taste.

The tea that English and Irish people drink and that most Americans still drink is black tea, usually a blend of lower-grade teas from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) an India. Westerners pay attention to the color of the dried leaves in calling this tea "black." The Chinese refer to the color of the infusion calling it "red."

Another kind of red "tea," Rooibos, really isn?t tea because it comes from an entirely
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different plant, Aspalanthus linearis, which grows in the wild in South Africa.

The name Rooibos is African slang for the Dutch word for "red bush." In South Africa, Rooibos tea has been used by some tribes for medicinal purposes and by white South Africans for treatment of hay fever symptoms, asthma, eczema and to soothe heartburn, ease the pain of stomach ulcers and relieve nausea.

Rooibos is being heavily hyped by producers and distributors as a new health beverage. Unlike true "tea," it is caffeine-free and low in tannins. It contains minimal amounts of calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium and much less fluoride than found in real teas. Studies have shown that Rooibos does contain antioxidants and therefore might have some of the health benefits of green tea, but very little research has confirmed this. I found only 17 scientific studies of Rooibos compared to more than 1,000 on green tea. So far, none suggest that Rooibos is the health equivalent of green tea.

Brewed, Rooibos looks red but doesn't really taste like tea ? it has a slightly sweet and fruity flavor. If you like the taste and color, and want a caffeine-free herbal beverage, by all means opt for Rooibos, but if you want the health benefits of tea, I recommend sticking with the real thing.

Andrew Weil, M.D.
 
L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea plants, is responsible for the unique flavor of green tea. This compound is said to promote relaxation and modify the stimulating effects of the caffeine present in green tea.

Some research has suggested that L-theanine has calming effects. In one study, young women were given either water, 50 mg of L-theanine, or 200 mg of L-theanine once a week. Afterward, their brain waves were measured. Those who received the highest dose (200 mg) produced more alpha waves, an indication of increased relaxation, about 40 minutes after getting the L-theanine. Results of this study were published in the June 1999 issue of Trends in Food Science & Technology. However, more research will be needed to confirm the findings.

Other studies, including animal studies, have suggested that L-theanine has an anti-cancer effect, may enhance learning in animals,
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and lowers blood pressure in hypertensive rats. But none of these benefits have been demonstrated in humans, at least not yet.

As far as combating anxiety is concerned, I recommend breathing exercises, which are the most effective and fastest-acting method I know. Aerobic exercise is also helpful, and I would recommend avoiding caffeine because its stimulating effects can heighten anxiety.

You also might try tincture of passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), which is mildly relaxing. The dose is one dropperful in a little water, up to four times a day, as needed. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is more powerful ? use a capsule of the standardized extract only as needed.

For the calming and relaxing benefits of L-theanine, I recommend drinking green tea in moderation rather than taking a supplement. If you find the tea too stimulating, look for a decaffeinated form.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Updated 4/13/2005
 
What's so Great About Green Tea?
The polyphenols in green tea help protect the body from cancer by destroying free radicals, and protect your heart by lowering cholesterol and improving lipid metabolism. If you're a coffee drinker, you'll do your body good by switching to green tea.
 
from Brooklynjuice:

White Tea Beats Green Tea In Fighting Germs
NEW ORLEANS ? May 25, 2004 -- New studies conducted at Pace University have indicated that White Tea Extract (WTE) may have prophylactic applications in retarding growth of bacteria that cause Staphylococcus infections, Streptococcus infections, pneumonia and dental caries. Researchers present their findings today at the 104th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.


"Past studies have shown that green tea stimulates the immune system to fight disease," says Milton Schiffenbauer, Ph.D., a microbiologist and professor in the Department of Biology at Pace University's Dyson College of Arts & Sciences and primary author of the research. "Our research shows White Tea Extract can actually destroy in vitro the organisms that cause disease. Study after study with tea extract proves that it has many healing properties. This is not an old wives tale, it's a fact."

White tea was more effective than green tea at inactivating bacterial viruses. Results obtained with the bacterial virus, a model system; suggest that WTE may have an anti-viral effect on human pathogenic viruses. The addition of White Tea Extract to various toothpastes enhanced the anti-microbial effect of these oral agents.

Studies have also indicated that WTE has an anti-fungal effect on Penicillium chrysogenum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the presence of WTE, Penicillium spores and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells were totally inactivated. It is suggested that WTE may have an anti-fungal effect on pathogenic fungi.

Several findings in the new study are of particular interest:

* The anti-viral and anti-bacterial effect of white tea (Stash and Templar brands) is greater than that of green tea.

* The anti-viral and anti-bacterial effect of several toothpastes including Aim, Aquafresh, Colgate, Crest and Orajel was enhanced by the addition of white tea extract.

* White tea extract exhibited an anti-fungal effect on both Penicillium chrysogenum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

* White tea extract may have application in the inactivation of pathogenic human microbes, i.e., bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
 
White Tea
If you drink tea for health reasons, you probably drink Green tea, but research now shows us that drinking White tea is actually even healthier for you than drinking Green tea.

Antioxidant Levels - White Tea has more antioxidants than any other kind of tea, including Green Tea. In fact, study after study is now telling us that White Tea is the healthiest of all teas. According to Dr. Roberta Lee.
? White Tea has 10x the antioxidants found in vitamin E.
? White Tea also has 20x the antioxidants found in vitamin C.

Cardiovascular Health - Tea may inhibit oxidation of LDL (low density lipoproteins), sometimes referred to as "bad cholesterol". Scientists believe that oxidized LDL is a potent initiator of coronary heart disease. White tea also reduces high blood pressure by inhibiting the formation of certain enzymes that cause constriction in blood vessels.

Healthy Teeth - One of the added benefits of drinking White tea that many don't realize is that it is far less likely to stain your teeth than when drinking coffee or even other tea varieties.

Antimutagenic - In vitro studies show both green and black tea polyphenols inhibit the mutagenic action of a diverse group of carcinogens. The seeds of cancer planted in DNA by carcinogens are blocked in the very stage of their formation by catechins and other polyphenols found in tea.

White Tea is the most minimally processed of all tea varietals, helping to preserve its powerful health benefits. Modern research shows that White Tea retains the highest level of disease preventative antioxidants known as polyphenols.

Once reserved for the cups of emperors and nobility, this magnificent high mountain China White Tea still remains one of the rarest of all teas. The tender white downy buds are painstakingly hand-plucked, only two days of the year, right before the leaf opens. So small is the yield, so high is the demand, that it is one of the world's most expensive teas.

We have procured this season's harvest to take advantage of a new manufacturing technique allowing us to offer White Tea in both full leaf and our signature round, unbleached tea bags. We are honored to offer you this pure, delicate brew. You are sure to delight in its subtle, sweet, lingering finish. Indulge in the ultimate cup that is White Tea.

Discover tea in its most natural state...here's to your health.
 
Click on the Republic of Tea link just above your post. Search for it at their site. They do have it.
 
Future which is better for metabolism boosting? white or green? which ones do you reccomend on the site you posted
 
Ah well I think white tea is better from what I have read. I personally just go with green tea because it's easier to get. I also am not totally sure how much of a difference it does make BUT white does have a higher antioxidant level. Maybe Brooklynjuice can comment on this.
 
I am more concerned with the metabolism boosting part if anyone can let me know, please chime in
 
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