Introduction
Yellow tea is one of the rarest forms of tea produced only in China in Anhui and Hubei province. The harvest time of yellow tea is short combine with the complex process. The yellow tea processing includes solar weathering, pan-frying and steaming, and sweating followed by drying with a great precaution in order to preserve the aromas. This process of non-enzymatic oxidation and wrapping gives the tea its characteristic yellow color (Theaflavins). Yellow tea benefits are mainly because of its antioxidant-rich properties.
Compounds that are present in yellow tea
Yellow tea contains water-soluble flavonols (1.3-1.5% leaves dry weight) from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. The main flavonoids present in yellow tea are kaempferol, quercetine, isoquercetin, myricetin, water-soluble anthocyanins. Yellow tea has almost the same composition as that of green tea. But it is much lighter in taste.
10 Effective health benefits of yellow tea
1. Rich in antioxidants
Yellow tea acts as a better antioxidant than that of green tea. According to a study done by the scientist (1), it was found that yellow tea has almost three times more total flavonoid content than of green tea and also showed the highest antioxidant activity.
2. Protection against liver injury
Studies (2) done on Wistar rats showed that among six tea viz. green, white, yellow, black, oolong and pu-erh, yellow tea contributes the highest activity against liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).
3. Antioxidant properties
Dietary flavonoids have a high antioxidant capacity which acts as a health-promoting property. Huge research is done on flavonoid against many types of infectious, degenerative, cardiovascular, cancer, and other diseases (3). As yellow tea has the highest flavonoid content than that of other tea. Therefore it may help in protection against the above mention diseases.
4. Improves digestion
The beneficiary property of yellow tea is because of its way of preparation. Yellow tea is prepared by smothering also known as a slow oxidation process. Because of the slow oxidation process, its maximum enzymes and secondary metabolites get preserved. Therefore in comparison to other tea, yellow tea is much lighter and thus is beneficial for spleen and stomach (4).
5. Prevents oesophageal cancer
Yellow tea is rich in polyphenols, vitamins, and amino acids in comparison to other tea. A study on cancer cell lines in China showed the effective action of yellow tea on oesophageal cancer.
6. Weight Loss
Yellow tea contains more caffeine than that of green tea (6). Different types of tea contain a different concentration of caffeine depending upon the type of process they are going through. Caffeine consumption helps in reduction in weight, although there is no direct research of yellow tea weight loss studies based on caffeine and its relation to weight can easily indicate that consuming yellow tea helps in more rapid weight loss than other types of tea by reducing blood cholesterol and fat absorption (7).
7. Healthy teeth and strong bones
Yellow tea contains fluoride (F). Hence consuming tea containing fluoride in permissible quantity helps in healthy teeth and proper development of bones and thus preventing osteoporosis, and osteosclerosis (5).
8. Prevents gastric injuries
Studies done on animal model proves the preventive action of yellow tea against gastric injuries. The study further showed that yellow tea due to its antioxidant activity helps in reducing inflammation induced by acidic secretion of the stomach (8).
9. Releases tension
Yellow tea due to its caffeine helps in relief from tension and headache. Caffeine helps in increasing the activity of neurotransmitters and thus relaxes the body.
10. Energy booster
Yellow tea helps in increasing the energy level of the body due to the presence of caffeine. Studies showed that caffeine even helps in increasing concentration and work efficiency during the common cold (7).
7 Side effects of yellow tea
1. Skeletal Fluorosis
Pollutants in tea may affect tea drinkers along with their beneficial properties. Tea plants are also known for their fluoride (F) accumulation. Drinking tea daily is good for health but there is also a limit. According to WHO fluoride in permissible quantity (0.05 mg/day/kg Bone weight) is good for healthy teeth and bone but excessive result in fluorosis, which is dental mottling and skeletal manifestations such as crippling deformities, osteoporosis, and osteosclerosis (5).
2. Pregnancy issue
As yellow tea contain high caffeine more than that of green tea (6), therefore it will be advisable not to consume too much yellow tea during pregnancy
3. Anxiety
Frequent consumption of yellow tea increases the habit of caffeine intake such case is known as caffeine addiction. Caffeine addiction further leads to anxiety and insomnia (7).
4. Osteoporosis
Yellow tea consumption beyond limit accumulates caffeine in the body further increasing the risk of bladder hence decrease calcium absorption by bone because of the overexertion of calcium through urine. Decrease calcium absorption leads to osteoporosis. The condition gets worse for the people who are suffering from glaucoma (7).
5. Affects premenstrual symptoms (PMS)
Excessive consumption of yellow tea may lead to premenstrual symptoms in women it also increases the risk of diabetes by secretion of insulin (7).
6. High blood pressure
Yellow tea as for its caffeine content may cause high blood pressure on consuming excessively. As caffeine releases norepinephrine further results in vasoconstriction and hence causes increase heart rate and high blood pressure (7).
7. Polyphenol effect on human is unknown
Like other tea yellow tea also contains many polyphenols. Yellow tea has a maximum total polyphenols content after black tea that is 4.1 g/kg. Polyphenols are compounds that help in combating certain degenerative diseases like cancer and heart-related diseases. But no direct evidence of the effect of yellow tea polyphenols is studied on the human so far.
How much of yellow tea should you drink every day?
Yellow tea contains 55mg caffeine per 50 g (9); 4.1g phenol per Kg and 3.7 g flavonoids per Kg (1). Drinking too much tea is not good for health and also depends upon conditions like pregnancy, high blood pressure but 1-2 cups of tea per day will be most effective for a healthy life.
How to prepare Yellow tea?
We should check the quality of yellow tea before preparation. Low-grade quality tea some time causes an adverse effect on our body. The preparation of yellow tea is very simple and easy like any other tea.
Ingredients for preparing yellow tea
- Hot water (200-300 ml)
- Yellow tea (tea bag or 5 g loose tea)
- Sweetener (honey or sugar)
Steps
- Take a cup filled with hot water, add tea (tea bag) and allow to steep depending on how strong you want then stir with sweetener
- Boil water with loose tea (5 g) time of boiling depends upon how strong you want then cover it for 1 to 2 min thereafter strain the tea and add sweetener as per your taste.
Yes, with credits and backlinks you can quote our posts
[…] Yellow Tea […]