Make Way For Minty Oolong
Have you ever heard of oolong tea? It may not be as popular as green tea or black tea, but it has similar health benefits. That being said, Ono Teas presents the Minty Oolong, a fresh new beverage that you might wanna try.
A refreshing new beverage is just what you need after a long day at work. Alternatively, a fresh brew is something that might help you kick-start your day completely energized. Let’s dive deep into each ingredient, and find out how they’re good for you.
Oolong Tea Leaves
Oolong Tea May Help in Managing your Weight
A natural way to incorporate healthy measures into your diet is to consume tea. Of course, a balanced diet and regular exercise are a must. A lot of studies suggest that tea can play a crucial role in managing body weight.
Oolong tea is a traditional semi-oxidized Chinese tea. It is different when it comes to taste and aroma, but the benefits are pretty similar to regular tea.
In a study done on 12 men, it was found that compared to water, those who drank tea had more energy in general. The energy expenditure of the men who were given full-strength tea was increased by 2.9%.
May Reduce the Risk of Cancer
One of the most deadly diseases on the face of the earth, cancer has no guaranteed way to be cured. It can only be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, and treatment is also very risky with very low chances of survival.
The consumption of most types of teas provides properties that drastically affect our lives. Oolong tea has chemopreventive properties that may help keep this disease at bay.
In a study done on black tea extracts, it was found to exhibit anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative, and anti-neoplastic activities. These activities indicate the potential for the prevention of cancer in humans as well.
Oolong Tea May Prevent Heart Disease
Heart diseases are very common these days. People who are overweight have a higher risk of heart failure. The New Delhi Birth Cohort has revealed in a PubMed research, that “The annual number of deaths from CVD (cardiovascular disease) in India is projected to rise from 2.26 million (1990) to 4.77 million (2020)”.
A study done on 12 men reported that consumption of tea helped them exhibit increasing energy expenditure and fat oxidation. More energy expenditure means less accumulation of lipid, which can decrease the incidence of heart disease.
Another study revealed that 600 out of 1507 subjects who were regular tea drinkers, had a 46% decreased risk of developing hypertension.
Oolong Tea Acts as an Antioxidant
Oxidative stress is a serious problem that can pave the way for chronic diseases like heart conditions. It is caused by the damage done by free radicals in our bodies. Antioxidants are compounds that reduce or prevent the chance of oxidative stress and hence they are extremely important for us.
Studies reveal that oolong tea shows antioxidant activity between 233 and 532 µmol/g, which is pretty significant. The researchers noticed a modest increase in human plasma antioxidant capacity upon oolong tea consumption.
The compounds responsible for this are Theasinensins, A–E/alpha-tocopherol, and Theasinensins A–E. They decrease lipid peroxidation, which is a good thing against free radical damage.
Oolong Tea is Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is a process that starts in our bodies once an injury takes place.
It can lead to heat, pain, redness, swelling as our body tries to protect itself. But long-term inflammation, lasting for prolonged periods of several months to years, is a bad thing.
Research suggests that ethanol extract of oolong tea shows pro-angiogenic activity mediating protective effects on inflammation.
Oolong reduces plasma MCP-1, which is another indication of its anti-inflammatory properties. Other components such as flavonoids such as cate-chins, theaflavins, and theasinensins also contribute to its anti-inflammatory nature.
Oolong Tea is also Anti-Diabetic
Diabetes can be very difficult to live with. There is no way to cure it, therefore preventing it is our only option. One way to do this is by incorporating tea into our diets.
Oolong tea may help reduce the risk of diabetes. In a study done on diabetic rats, Oolong tea reduced plasma glucose from 229 to 162.2 mg/dL. Theasinensins play a major role in the anti-diabetic property of Oolong tea. Theasinensins A has shown antihyperglycemic responses in diabetic mice.
Spearmint Leaves
Also known as the “garden mint”, this minty herb contains aromatic oil, called the oil of spearmint. It is used as a flavouring and sometimes as a scent. This oil is one of the main reasons behind the various health benefits of spearmint, such as:
Spearmint Helps with Weight Management
Research has suggested that spearmint may help in managing weight and preventing obesity. It is not some magical herb, but it can aid in a healthy diet, a balanced lifestyle, and ideal weight.
Spearmint tea may act as a catalyst in your weight loss journey. It may act as a potential treatment for obesity, along with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Also, tea made with spearmint is very low in calories, meaning it won’t add much to your daily intake.
Spearmint May help Reduce Stress
Mental health is a very serious issue. We often ignore it as a society. We need natural ways to take care of our mental health.
Spearmint tea may help in relaxing your nerves and reducing stress. It is a natural anti-stress agent and helps you keep calm in stressful situations. In some South American countries, people have traditionally used spearmint as a remedy for stress and insomnia.
In a lab study, scientists gave spearmint extract to rats for observing any potential changes. The results indicated decreased anxiety and improved sleep. Spearmint leaves contain menthol, which is famous for its relaxing properties.
Spearmint may help maintain blood sugar levels
Research suggests that spearmint tea may help lower blood sugar in some diabetes patients. There have not been any extensive human studies on the matter. But, studies on rats with diabetes have shown lower blood sugar levels when given spearmint.
In a lab study that having healthy and diabetic rats, the researchers gave spearmint extract to the rats every day. Compared to the healthy rats, the diabetic rats displayed lower levels of blood sugar.
In another study, the researchers gave 300 mg (per kg of body weight) of spearmint extract to diabetic rats daily for 21 days. The study reported a 25% reduction in blood sugar.
Spearmint may help in dealing with PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance in women. It causes them to produce amounts of male hormones that are considered more than normal. This happens due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Women suffering from PCOS often report symptoms like irregular periods, excessive hair growth on the face, chest, back, or buttocks, hair loss, and acne.
Spearmint tea may help with PCOS. It has an anti-androgenic effect that results in a significant decrease in testosterone levels that may help in the treatment of PCOS.
In a 30-day study, 42 women with PCOS were given spearmint tea twice a day. Compared to the control group, these women showed lower testosterone levels. Similar results were found in another study, which was conducted on 12 women with PCOS. In a different study, researchers gave spearmint tea to women with facial hair twice a day for 30 days. The results reported a significant reduction in facial hair.
Spearmint may Improve Memory
Wouldn’t it be great if chugging on tea helped improve how our brain functions? Well, it’s not far from possible! Spearmint can help improve brain function by boosting memory.
Spearmint has neuroprotective properties. It increases neurotransmitter levels, protects neurons, and promotes neural growth. The chemical analysis says that spearmint may help in improving memory and treating memory-related ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease.
A study tested mice’s memory by making them pass a maze test. After giving them some spearmint extract, the mice experienced improved learning and memory. In a more recent study, scientists gave supplements containing 900 mg of spearmint extract to some older adults with memory impairment. The results showed a 15% improvement in working memory.
Spearmint has Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that help protect our bodies from the cellular damage caused by free radicals. These are harmful molecules that might cause oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress can lead to several chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Foods rich in antioxidants are very useful in preventing chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress. As mentioned above, oxidative stress is a medical condition. The free radicals that damage our skin can result in oxidative stress.
Spearmint has a lot of antioxidants. The most prominent ones are rosmarinic acid, flavones and flavanones like limonene and menthol. Antioxidants are also responsible for the memory-boosting and neuroprotective properties of spearmint.
Peppermint Leaves
Compared to spearmint which has only 1% on menthol, peppermint has a whopping 40%. It adds a more intense “minty” flavour to the Cool Green Ocean. Peppermint also offers a lot of benefits:
Peppermint may Improve Oral Health
Popularly used for flavouring candies and breath mints, peppermint has a pleasant minty taste. But this fresh mint is not just good for taste, but for your oral hygiene as well.
A study has reported that peppermint oil shows antibacterial activity that restricts the rapid growth of a bacteria called staphylococcus. In another study, test subjects who were given peppermint, tea tree, and lemon oils demonstrated improved breath.
The cooling properties of peppermint can effectively soothe tooth and muscle aches. Peppermint helps fight off oral pathogens and kills common bacteria that can lead to cavities and gum disease. This is the reason why peppermint can be found as a prominent ingredient in most kinds of toothpaste, gums, and several kinds of mouthwash.
Peppermint may Improve Digestion
Peppermint may prove useful in treating digestive ailments such as bloating and indigestion. It also has a relaxing effect on the intestinal smooth muscle.
Studies conducted on animals indicate that essential oils present in peppermint help relax the digestive tissues. It also prevents smooth muscle contraction and spasms.
A different series of studies conducted on children revealed that peppermint significantly reduced the duration, frequency, and severity of abdominal pain. Include peppermint in your diet and keep those stomach ailments at bay!
Peppermint may help treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common intestinal disorder, that consists of symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain. Although it cannot be cured, some people can avoid the symptoms by managing their diet and lifestyle. Others may need medication.
Research has reported results based on a series of studies done on 926 people. The researchers treated the test subjects were with peppermint oil for two weeks. The results showed significantly better symptom relief among the subjects.
Another study done on 72 people who suffered from IBS gave similar results. The consumption of peppermint oil capsules reduced the symptoms of IBS by 40% after 4 weeks.
Peppermint is Anti-Viral
Today we face new strains of viruses that are getting difficult to fight. Incorporating antiviral foods into our diet has become a necessity. The essential oils present in peppermint have two main components-menthol and menthone. Research (in vitro) has suggested that peppermint has significant antiviral effects.
This antiviral property of peppermint may have a direct effect on our respiratory system and its health. It may help with problems in the respiratory tract, nasal tract, and coughing reflexes.
Let’s Pack Up, Shall We?
In the end, it is you who matters. The tea lovers. The enthusiasts that drive us to create new and exciting combinations. This amazing concoction is what you have enabled us to create with your support and love. So make sure you try the Minty Oolong, a fresh brew that will have you coming back.
If you liked Minty Oolong, make sure you check out our other teas, such as Chamomile Mint and Spearmint PCOD Tea from our Women’s Wellness Collection.
