Oolong tea benefits and does oolong tea have caffeine?

Introduction

This article is about oolong tea benefits and does oolong tea have caffeine. This tea is semi-fermented tea from the leaf of Camellia sinensis manufactured mainly in China and Taiwan. Or simply oolong tea can be defined as an intermediate between green tea and black tea.

It is a traditional Chinese tea with amazing health benefits including anticarcinogenic, antioxidants, and antilipidemic activities. Due to its complex processing, oolong tea has a higher unit price than that other tea. Oolong tea is also consumed by only 2% worldwide.

Does oolong tea have caffeine? or How much caffeine does oolong tea have?

Yes like other traditional tea, oolong tea also contains caffeine. Besides this oolong tea has polyphenols and catechins (1). Oolong tea contains 13 to 40 mg/cup of caffeine depending on the steeping time from 1 to 5 minutes. Caffeine consumption for adults should be between 120 mg per day and 1.73 mg/kg body weight per day.

Details of oolong tea components in mg/100 ml

Besides this other components of oolong tea are Caffeine, Amino acids, and Protein

Health benefits of Oolong Tea

1. Weight loss

Oolong tea specially aged tea induces weight loss and reduces fat accumulation. A study done on animal models suggests that oolong tea helps in the reduction of adipose tissue weight and adipocyte size (2). Therefore drinking oolong tea helps in reducing obesity.

2. Healthy Liver

Oolong tea also helps in lowering the lipid level in serum and liver and thus is healthy for the liver. It also plays an important role in lipid metabolism and protects the liver and energy metabolism (2).

3. Prevents cancer

Studies suggest that oolong tea has the potential in preventing cancer. the compound epigallocatechin- 3- gallate present in oolong tea shows the prevention of cancerous cell development (3).

4. Hypoglycemic effect

Another health benefits of oolong tea are its ability to reduce plasma glucose and fructosamine level. Oolong tea also increases insulin activity and decreases serum and liver lipids. thus drinking oolong tea helps in controlling diabetes and is highly preferred for diabetic persons (4).

5. Control cholesterol

Daily consumption of oolong tea helps in normalizing the cholesterol level by reducing the lipid peroxide and dismutase the super activity level (5).

6. Increase antioxidant activity

Oolong tea consumption helps in decreasing oxidative stress and prevents DNA damage (6). Studies done on athletes show that oolong tea decreases oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation levels (5).

7. Prevents hypertension and atherosclerosis

Consumption of oolong tea helps in increasing the fat oxidation and metabolic rate of the body. Studies show that daily consumption of 120ml oolong tea helps in reducing hypertension in Taiwan (6).

8.  Health benefits due to polyphenols present in Oolong tea

Polyphenols in oolong tea help in Lowering LDL cholesterol levels. It also Inhibits abnormal blood clots and reduces platelet aggregation. Drinking oolong tea also regulates the lipid and inhibition of proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells. It also boosts the immune system of the body.

9. Health Benefits due to Caffeine present in Oolong tea

Caffeine helps in increasing the metabolic rate of the body. It reduces the risk of Type-2 Diabetes, liver diseases, and cancer. Caffeine stimulation excites the brain and central nervous system.

More health benefits and side effects read GABA green & oolong tea

Side Effects of Oolong Tea

Side effects of oolong tea are due to its excessive consumption. As the tea contains caffeine and polyphenols, therefore, it should be consumed at the limit.

1. Side effects due to polyphenols

Defective RBC is manufactured because of disturbed iron bioavailability resulting in anemia. It May interferes with DNA repair. Other side effects are Intestinal gas, Nausea, Heartburn, Stomach ache, Dizziness, and Muscle pain

2. Oolong tea side effects due to caffeine

Insomnia, dizziness, headache, nervousness, and uneven heart rate. High blood pressure. Excessive urination thus loss of water and minerals (more than 225 mg/day) (7). Releases acid in the stomach thus making the stomach upset.

3. Inhibits iron absorption

Overconsumption inhibits iron absorption, therefore, anemic people should avoid it. Too much caffeine may increase the risk of abortion and affect certain medications (7).