Proven Health Benefits of Oolong Tea & How to Use it (Evidence Based)

Are you a person who likes to relax with a refreshing and soothing cup of tea? If so, then there are many reasons to switch from your regular tea to oolong tea. As well as being a delicious drink, there are many benefits to drinking this tea.

What are the health benefits of oolong tea? Find out in this article about oolong tea’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties which can help with weight loss, reduce stress, manage blood sugar levels, and maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

What is Oolong Tea?

Oolong tea (sometimes called Wulong tea) is produced from the same plant that black tea and green tea are made from – the Camellia sinensis plant. However, it is produced in a slightly different way.

Most tea leaves are produced through a process of oxidation whereby the leaves of the plant are softened and then gently rolled. This starts a chemical reaction in the leaves which releases flavonoids, lipids, and amino acids. To stop the oxidation process, the leaves are then heated.

Black tea leaves are oxidized which gives the tea its characteristic deep brown color rich in tannins.

On the other hand, green tea leaves aren’t oxidized at all.

Oolong tea is somewhere in the middle. It is produced by semi-oxidizing the tea leaves, resulting in a different chemical structure from green tea (which has many health benefits), but not as dark and bitter as black tea. So, by drinking oolong tea, you get the best of both worlds.

One of the main differences between oolong tea, black tea, and green tea is the amount of L-theanine that it contains. L-theanine is an amino acid which is only found in the Camellia Sinensis plant and the Boletus badius mushroom. Oolong tea can have up to as much as 9.2 percent of its dry weight from L-theanine.

Health Benefits of Oolong Tea

All types of teas are rich in antioxidants and provide many health benefits. However, the way that oolong tea is processed means that its health benefits are greatly enhanced.

Let’s have a look at the many health benefits of oolong tea.

1. Oolong Tea for Weight Loss