Pu-erh tea (pronounced poo·air), is named from the town of Pu Er in Yunnan province. Pu-erh tea is derived from the leaves and stems of the Camellia sinensis when its leaves undergo microbial fermentation and oxidation process. The leaves are dried and rolled up. There are two broad classifications of Pu’erh, that is, green and dark, or oxidized Pu ‘erh. How healthy is pu-erh tea? Let’s find out its health benefits.
Health benefit 1: Cardiovascular Health
Pu-erh tea promotes cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels. Research has demonstrated that pu-erh tea raises cardio protective HDL while at the same time reducing LDL in the body of a rat. HDL or High Density Lipoprotein while LDL refers to ‘bad’ cholesterol. In particular, fermented pu-erh has been found to lower lipids or fats in the blood of the rats, implying that the tea can be useful in lowering cardiovascular conditions such as stroke in humans.
Health Benefit 2: Metabolic Health
People with metabolic syndrome would find great relief from pu-erh tea as it combats the condition by reducing obesity, adjusting blood lipid levels, reducing blood sugar as well as warding off oxidation and plaque.
Health benefit 3:Anti-oxidant Qualities
Pu ‘erh tea has been found to hinder tumor growth, thanks to its anti-oxidant properties. Making it an important ingredient in the war against carcinogens.
Health Benefit 4: Anti-cancer properties
As a member of the Camellia sinensis family, pu-erh tea contains catechins, an anti-oxidant that combats cancer. This anti-oxidant is highest in green or the less processed varieties.Thankfully, pu-erh tea is considered green in if is not fermented, though even the fermented one contains traces of catechins. This substance interferes with the oxidative process that leads to development of cancer.
Health benefit 5: Weight Management
The catechins, caffeine and theanine compounds in pu-erh tea aid in regulating weight loss. These substances were found in a research to assist in regulating body weigh at a greater degree than other types of tea due to anti-obesity properties in pu-erh tea.
Health Benefit 6: Fatty Acid Synthase Inhibitor
Pu-erh tea has the ability to stop fatty acid Synthase (FAS) from causing both obesity and cancer in the body. Studies have shown that high amounts of this enzyme are responsible for increasing likelihood of obesity as well as cancer related disorders. This implies that pu-erh tea serves as an anti-cancer agent as well as a weight-control agent, especially when incorporated in a low-Glycemic index diet.
Health Benefit 7: Source of Statin
The microbial process in pu-erh tea aids in the production of lovastatin. Lovastatin is a well known drugs in the world used for combating high cholesterol in the body. Pu-erh tea has been found to contain Statin element in tea, hence making this tea a vital drink for lowering cholesterol.
Health benefit 8: Combats Toxicity
Our bodies are potentially prone to picking toxin from the food we eat as well as during our interaction with the environment pu-erh tea aids in eliminating free radicals, reducing cholesterol, blood pressure and fighting cancer.
Health benefit 9: Mental Health
Pu-erh tea aid in improving our mental functions such as mental alertness and sharp thinking.
