Q: What is this ``white tea'' that's supposed to be even more
healthful than green tea?
A: White tea is among the rarest and most expensive teas. Its
leaves are rapidly steamed and dried, as is green tea, but not
fermented, as black tea is. Green tea is composed mainly of leaves,
but white tea has a higher proportion of buds covered with silvery
hairs that give a whitish appearance. Researchers at Oregon State
University found that, in test tube studies, white tea inhibits the
types of cell mutations that can lead to cancer.
Study is now underway to see if its cancer-fighting potential
holds up in animal studies. The lead researcher in this work,
Roderick Dashwood, Ph.D., joined scientists discussing their
studies of teas at the most recent conference on phytochemicals
hosted by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).
They noted that green and black tea may offer anti-cancer
effects through their antioxidant phytochemicals, called
polyphenols. They also believe that tea seems to prevent normal
cells from transforming into cancerous ones. Although discoveries
of the health-promoting effects of tea are very positive, these
researchers and AICR's experts stress that the most clearly
supported way to lower risk of cancer through healthy eating is a
predominantly plant-based diet with plenty of vegetables and
fruits.
