Various studies over time have put forward the supposed benefits of consuming green tea. Now a new research conducted jointly by experts from Kingston University and Neal’s Yard Remedies reveals that opting for white tea could also offer various health boons. These include reducing the risks of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or simply taking care of age-related wrinkles. Yes white, tea boffins claim may allow people to stay healthy and also look young.
Researchers tested the health properties of approximately 21 plant and herb extracts. They uncovered that all the plants that were tested had certain potential benefits. Interestingly white tea was found to have considerably outperformed all of the herbs with its added health benefits.
“We’ve carried out tests to identify plant extracts that protected the structural proteins of the skin, specifically elastin and collagen. Elastin supports the body’s natural elasticity which helps lungs, arteries, ligaments and skin to function. It also helps body tissue to repair when you suffer wounds and stops skin from sagging,†explained Professor Declan Naughton, from the School of Life Sciences at Kingston University in South West London.
He added that collagen is a protein found in connective tissues in the body and appears to be essential for skin, strength and elasticity. According to him the findings revealed that white tea possessed anti-ageing potential. Additionally high levels of anti-oxidants in it seem to also prevent cancer and heart disease. The results of this analysis uncovered that white tea had the ability to prevent the activities of the enzymes which seem to break down elastin and collagen, thus leading to wrinkles due to ageing. Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis also appear to be related to these enzymes along with oxidants.
Professor Naughton further elucidates, “These enzymes and oxidants are key components of normal body processes. However, in inflammatory conditions, suppressing the activities of these excess components has been the subject of decades of research. We were surprised to find such high activity for the white tea extracts in all five tests that were conducted. We were testing very small amounts far less than you would find in a drink. The early indicators are that white tea reduces the risk of inflammation which is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers as well as wrinkles.â€
Dr Pauline Hili, Technical Director for Neal’s Yard Remedies, additionally mentioned, “We are really excited by this research as it helps us to remain innovative and at the cutting edge of natural skin care. Celebrating the plants used in the Neal’s Yard Remedies products and understanding their specific actions on the skin is what it is all about. The Kingston University research program helps us to create safe, highly effective and cutting-edge products so it’s an ideal partnership for us.
Experts claim to be intrigued by the high-performance of white tea. Besides, among the other plants and herbs analyzed, researchers found around eight that appeared to aid in the protecting against the breakdown of both elastin and collagen. Bladderwrack supposedly performed well after white tea. It was followed by extracts of cleavers, rose, green tea, angelica, anise and pomegranate.
The research has been published in the BioMed Central journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.