Tea has been used as medicine for centuries. Now modern science is discovering what people in China and throughout the world have long known: tea is good for you. While green and black tea are very healthy, white tea is the least processed tea and has the highest antioxidant levels. It may be the supreme Drink of Health.

Both white and green teas come from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis. White tea leaves are harvested at a younger age than green tea leaves. White tea is considered rare and is usually more expensive than green, as it can only be hand picked during a few days of early spring and has to be handled with such care.

Tea OverviewTea Overview

Green tea is produced from leaves that have not withered or oxidized, while white tea comes from young leaves and buds. White tea is the least processed of all teas, and has a sweeter, milder flavor than green. The National Cancer Institute reports that both white and green teas contain about the same amount of catechins, a specific type of polyphenol.

 Both white and green teas contain copious amounts of polyphenols -- antioxidant plant compounds with proven health benefits. More scientific research has been done on green tea than white, but one preliminary study suggests that white tea may have an edge in terms of cancer protection.

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Today, everyone from chefs to medical researchers is praising white tea's delicate flavor and purported health benefits. Market researchers predict consumers will soon share their enthusiasm, turning white tea into one of the hottest new food trends.

White tea is made from immature tea leaves that are picked shortly before the buds have fully opened. The tea takes its name from the silver fuzz that still covers the buds, which turns white when the tea is dried.

 White tea contains more polyphenols, the powerful anti-oxidant that fights and kills cancer-causing cells, than any other type of tea.

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Green tea is made from the leaves from Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originated in China, but it has become associated with many cultures throughout Asia.

All types of tea except herbal tea are brewed from the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. The level of oxidation of the leaves determines the type of tea.

Green tea is made from un-oxidized leaves and is one of the less processed types of tea (with white tea the least) and therefore contains one of the most antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols.

Nature of Green Nature of Green TeaTea

Unsweetened brewed green tea is a zero calorie beverage. The caffeine contained in a cup of tea can vary according to length of infusing time and the amount of tea infused.

Green tea involves slightly more processing compared to white tea. White tea is steamed rapidly and then dried. While green tea is partially fermented. First it's steamed, fired and then rolled. Black tea on the other hand is fully fermented.

Because white and green teas are treated gently and not overly processed, they retain most of their beneficia lantioxidants. Green tea is considered rich in antioxidants. However since white tea is less processed, it retains a higher amount of antioxidants, compared to green.

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White tea comes in a number of varieties. There is silver needle, white peony, tribute, life eyebrow, Darjeeling white, ceylon white, African white and even Assam white. An aspect of the popularity of white tea, at least in China, is its close relationship to some health benefits that it offers.

Among the diseases that scientific research shows it to prevent include rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, some forms of cancer, and even the impeding of the breakdown of collagen and elastin. This last item relates to the visible effects of aging, such as developing sagging skin and wrinkles. Its potential benefits in preventing these diseases relate to the antioxidant, anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-inflammatory properties that it possesses.

Nature of White Nature of White TeaTea

White tea contains the same types of antioxidants as green tea, but in greater quantity. These antioxidants are found to have many health promoting properties including boosting cardiovascular health, helping to lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of cancer and enhancing weight loss.

The caffeine component of green tea has been shown to have a positive effect on green tea's ability to help with weight loss – so choosing green over white in this instance maybe more beneficial as green tea contains slightly more caffeine. Green tea contains around 20g of caffeine, compared to white that has around 15g. In comparison, black tea contains around 45mg.

Nature of White Nature of White TeaTea

Green tea is considered one of the world's healthiest drinks and contains one of the highest amount of antioxidants of any tea. Green tea is approximately 20% to 45% polyphenols by weight, of which 60% to 80% are catechins such as EGCG.1These catechins are antioxidants that are said to possibly help with fighting and preventing cell damage.

1. Cancer According to the National Cancer Institute, the polyphenols in

tea have been shown to decrease tumor growth in laboratory and animal studies and may protect against damage caused by ultraviolet UVB radiation.

One large-scale clinical study compared green tea drinkers with non-drinkers and found that those who drank the most tea were less likely to develop pancreatic cancer, particularly women, who were 50% less likely to develop the disease.

Studies have also shown the positive impacts of green tea on breast, bladder, ovarian, colorectal, esophageal, lung, prostate, skin and stomach cancer.

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2. Heart Disease

A 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that green tea consumption is associated with reduced mortality due to all causes, including cardiovascular disease.

3. Type 2 Diabetes

Studies concerning the relationship between green tea and diabetes have been inconsistent. Some have shown a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes for green tea drinkers than for those who consumed no tea, while other studies have found no association between tea consumption and diabetes at all.

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4. Weight Loss

Green tea may promote a small, non-significant weight loss in overweight and obese adults; however, since the weight lost in the studies were so minimal, it is unlikely that green tea is clinically important for weight loss.

Other studies have found that green tea is helpful in preventing dental cavities, stress, chronic fatigue, treating skin conditions and improving arthritis by reducing inflammation.

Health Benefits Health Benefits of Green Teaof Green Tea

1. Cancer Prevention

White tea may have profound power against cancer-causing cells and against many different types of cancer, such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. 

2. Lower Blood Pressure

It helps lower high blood pressure and maintain a healthy one. By promoting strong and healthy blood vessels, white tea guards against the ravages of stroke.

3. Lower Cholesterol

Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been found to reduce cholesterol, and white tea is teeming with them.

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4. Heart ProtectionBy thinning the blood, lowering blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol, white tea protects the heart and the entire circulatory system.

5. Antibacterial & AntiviralWhite tea is a natural killer of bacteria and viruses. The antioxidants so abundant in white tea tone the entire immune system, providing protection against a variety of invaders and a wide range of diseases. Its helps guard against the common cold and flu, and can ease the symptoms of HIV.

6. Healthy SkinFree radicals from staying out in the sun too long, stress, and a poor diet can damage the skin and cause it to prematurely age. By scavenging these free radicals, white tea protects the skin and helps to reverse some of the damage. Drinking white tea promotes healthy and radiant skin.

Health Benefits Health Benefits of White Teaof White Tea

White tea also tastes different to green, having a smoother, gentler, almost sweet taste.

Green tea is definitely an extremely healthy addition to the diet. The reason more people recommend green tea over white is that it has been studied extensively; it's more common plus it's easier and cheaper to buy.

However, considering white tea contains more antioxidants and less caffeine, white tea would be an even healthier choice. A tip when buying white or green tea: choose organic as the tea plant readily absorbs fluoride from pesticides.

Green Tea vs Green Tea vs White TeaWhite Tea

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