"Wu Long tea may be an effective adjunct to oral hypoglycemic agents in the treatment of type 2 diabetes"

"Wu Long tea is effective in lowering the plasma glucose levels of subjects who have type 2 diabetes and who take oral amihyperglycemic agents. Wu Longtea, in conjunction with antihyperglycemic agents, was more effective in lowering plasma glucose than were the drugs alone."

Diabetes Care, June 2003

Tea Good for Heart Disease, Cancer Cuts High Cholesterol, Aids Cancer Prevention

By Jeanie Lerche Davis
WebMD Medical News
Oct. 1, 2003 -- The evidence is building: Several cups of tea daily can help your high cholesterol and even cut the damage caused by smoking -- and possibly prevent cancer and heart disease.

In studies, tea drinking has been shown effective in lowering high cholesterol and in cancer prevention. But researchers are still trying to figure out how. Likely, it is because the polyphenols in tea are strong antioxidants capable of "mopping up" DNA-damaging free radicals in the bloodstream.

Two studies in this month's Journal of Nutrition look at tea's health effects -- finding evidence that tea works, although exactly how is still a mystery.

The studies were presented at the Third International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health, held today in New York City.

Black Tea and High Cholesterol

One study looks at the effects of black tea on total and LDL "bad" cholesterol in adults who had mildly high cholesterol levels. Each was on a carefully controlled diet; each was asked to drink five servings of black tea daily for three weeks. In the study's second phase, they switched to a placebo non-caffeinated beverage prepared to match the tea in color and taste. In the third phase, caffeine was added to the placebo, enough to equal that in tea.

Black tea reduced total cholesterol by 4% and LDL cholesterol by 8% compared with the effects of a placebo drink with no caffeine. When compared with a placebo with caffeine, total cholesterol was reduced by 7% and LDL cholesterol by 11% in participants consuming black tea.

The drop in cholesterol from 4% and 7% in those who consumed black tea means a decreased risk from heart disease, since a 1% decrease in cholesterol translates into about a 2% decrease in heart disease.

This could translate into an 8% to 13% decreased risk of heart disease, writes lead researcher Michael J. Davies, PhD, with the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"The inclusion of tea in a diet moderately low in fat reduces total and LDL cholesterol by significant amounts, and may, therefore, reduce risk of heart disease," he writes.

However, tea did not affect the patients' antioxidant levels, Davies writes. It's possible that tea limits cholesterol absorption in the intestine.

Tea and Cancer

This is the first randomized study to look at effects of regular tea drinking -- both black and green tea -- on smoking-associated cancer prevention.

Researchers in this study monitored urine levels of 8-OhdG, a measure of overall damage to DNA. Smoking is associated with high levels of this by-product .

DNA damage, If not repaired, can result in genetic mutations that -- over a lifetime -- are expected to affect a person's risk of cancer, writes lead researcher Iman A. Hakim, PhD, director of Health Promotion Sciences at the Arizona Cancer Center at the University of Arizona.

WebMD.com

A local man name SuLong, WuLong or WuLiang discovered Wu Long which has its origin in the Anxi tea plant. Another tale suggests a man named Wu Liang (later changed to Wu Lung) discovered Wu Long tea by accident as he was distracted after a long hard days work. After a while he returned to the tea and found it had oxidized (fermented).

Wu Long is delicately processed to produce wonderful aroma and taste. Wu Long undergoes the following processes:

Drying - Wilting the tea under the sun removes moisture.
Yaoging - Bruise the edge of the tea leaf to create more surface area for oxidation.
Rouging - Tea leaves are rubbed or tumbled.
Shaging - To stop further oxidation, the tea leaves are dried in a large pan over heat and stirred by hand (our Wu Long premium diet tea).
Cooling - Dries the tea and removes left over moisture.

Tea connoisseurs in China and all over the world know and classify the tea by its alluring aroma, and taste. The medicinal qualities of Wu Long have been known to the Chinese for millenia. Now the benefits are available here in our Premium Official Wu Long Diet Tea.

There is so much interest in weight loss and Wu Long tea that we are going to look at research supporting the connection.

Let's start at the beginning

All tea comes from one plant Camellia Sinensis if it doesn't come from that plant it is not tea (herbs come from a variety of plants). Over time, the plant has protected itself from photosynthetic stressors by forming chemical compounds known as polyphenols. Polyphenols, which include flavonoids, have the same beneficial class of compounds, antioxidants, that make fruits and vegetables good for you.

The difference in green tea and Wu Long tea is processing. All tea is green when picked. Green tea is heated in order to halt the natural enzymatic reaction (oxidation) of the leaf. Once dried, green tea leaves are then rolled intentionally breaking the cell structure. Wu Long tea leaves are plucked, kept under carefully controlled conditions and allowed to oxidize. These leaves are not intentionally broken, leaving most of the cell structure intact. These processing differences make each category of tea beneficially different even though they come from the same plant.

The Weight Loss Connection

The two main ways to reduce food related body weight are; increase energy expenditure (EE) and inhibit the absorption of nutrients, including fat and carbohydrates. Caffeine is a stimulant so it is widely accepted that the caffeine in tea increases metabolism, hence increasing EE. So the question becomes, is it only the caffeine or are other compounds in the tea contributing to that increase?

The Research

The Chinese have long believed that Wu Long tea is beneficial in reducing and maintaining weight. A Chinese study, in 1998, of 102 females showed that continuous consumption of Wu Long tea for six weeks resulted in a reduction of body weight. This study, along with the question of other compounds contributing to tea's weight loss benefits, spurred further research.

In 2001, Physiologist Dr. William Rumpler, of the US Agriculture Research Services' Diet and Human Laboratory, investigated the ancient Chinese belief that Wu Long tea is effective in controlling body weight. The study measured how tea influences energy expenditure (EE) and included 12 male volunteers who were given 4 separate beverage formulas over three consecutive days. The beverage formulas consisted of; 1) full strength Wu Long tea, 2) caffeinated water with caffeine equal to full strength Wu Long tea, 3) half strength Wu Long tea and 4) non caffeinated water.

The participants 24 hour EE was measured and resulted in;

- EE levels of about 3% higher when they drank either the full strength Wu Long tea or the caffeinated water versus the non caffeinated water.

- Participants burned an average of 67 more calories per day when drinking the full strength Wu Long tea.

- Participants increased fat oxidation (fat burning) by a whooping 12% after consuming the full strength Wu Long tea versus the caffeinated water.

- This data confirms that a component other than caffeine is responsible for promoting the preferential use of fat as an energy source.

The increase in fat oxidation in this study is amazing! Drinking Wu Long tea can actually tell your body to burn fat for energy! Scientists then speculated that caffeine combined with EGCGs worked together to increase fat oxidation.

A Japanese study, conducted in 2003, went one step further comparing the benefits of Wu Long tea and green tea on weight reduction. Eleven healthy young female students participated in this well controlled study. Participants received three different beverage formulas; 1) Wu Long tea, 2) powdered green tea leaves and 3) water.

Both teas were prepared with boiling water. The Wu Long tea steeped for five minutes and the powdered green tea leaves were dissolved.

After measurements were taken, the results determined;

- Wu Long tea had higher EE levels from beginning to end and at intervals of 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes.

- EE levels peaked at 90 minutes for both Wu Long and green tea and remained at their respective levels until 120 minutes.

- These results indicate that after consuming Wu Long tea you will expend more energy then if you were to drink green tea or water and that it can last up to two hours.

The concentrations of caffeine, individual catechins and other polyphenols were also measured producing these interesting findings;

- The caffeine and EGCG content was much higher in the green tea versus the Wu Long tea.

- The concentration of polymerized polyphenols was significantly higher in the Wu Long tea versus the green tea.

These findings show that it's the polymerized polyphenols, highest in Wu Long tea, that link tea to burning fat, not just the caffeine or just the combination of caffeine and EGCGs. Furthermore, the rest of the compounds compared in the teas were similar or equal to one another with no marked differences, reinforcing the results.

We have shown that Wu Long tea significantly increases EE for up to as much as 120 minutes and can even promote preferential use of fat as an energy source making it a healthy tool for reducing and maintaining weight. So what about absorption of nutrients?

Wu Long tea's effect on blocking the absorption of fats and carbohydrates is thought to play a key role in its weight reducing benefits. While more studies need to be done, initial studies indicate that Wu Long tea has absorption blocking potential.

There are proven methods for losing weight and keeping it off; exercise, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet. Wu Long tea can enhance these positive changes and garner faster results.

Wu Long - The Facts

- Wu Long teas taste great and are delicious hot or cold.

- Enjoy a cup of Wu Long 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to your walk, workout or yoga session and reap the rewards!

- Drink Wu Long in the afternoon to stave off late day sweet cravings and energy slumps.

The Mount Wuyi Scenic Area lies to the south of Wuyishan City, Fujian Province. Mount Wuyi is famous for its natural conservation of a large number of ancient plant species, wild animals and reptiles, many of which are peculiar to China.

Its tranquil beauty and intact environment offer a refuge to the primitive forest, so it is called the 'Natural Arboretum'. The Mount Wuyi Scenic Area incorporates the Wuyi Canyon Drifting, the Mount Longjing and the Ancient Xiamei Folk Buildings and so on.

Firstly, we come to the Wuyi Canyon which is a good place to drift along the water. The Wuyi Canyon is 14 kilometers (about 8.70 miles) long with a drop of 150 meters (about 492 feet) along its length. Tourists may drift on the water for 6 kilometers (about 3.73 miles). This stretch of water belongs to Tongmu Brook which is one of the sources of Nine Bends Brook that meanders between rocks and gorges.

When drifting smoothly with the water's flow, you will appreciate the lush trees on spectacular mountains as well as the fish swimming in the brook. A refreshing cool breeze brushes past you as you feel the splash of water upon your face where the water rushes through the narrows between high cliffs. Altogether an exciting adventure in awe-inspiring surroundings!

Then we come to the Mount Longjing, on the southeast of Mount Wuyi. Mount Longjing enjoys a pleasant climate, warm in summer and cool in winter. Here you will find a good number of rare wild animals living on the land and plentiful vegetation covering the fertile earth. All year round, wild flowers bloom and trees thrive.

There is the Qiyu Hall on the Mount Longjing. Since the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), Qiyu Hall had been a place where people interceded for rain and other blessings from the gods. When there was a drought the local people from some distance around would travel to the hall and pray for rain. Thanks to the serene environment, Mount Longjing is an ideal place for relaxation and outdoors activities.

After seeing the natural wonders, you may as well take a look at the Ancient Xiamei Folk Buildings, located 12 kilometers (about 7.46 miles) southeast of Wuyishan City. Walking in the Xiamei Village with its profound culture and rich history, it carries you back in time to the Ming (1368 - 1644) and the Qing (1644 - 1911) Dynasties.

Most of buildings are very well preserved. Xiamei village is also a famous distribution center for tea produced in Mount Wuyi. Tea merchants constructed more than 70 houses in this village. Also, there are other well-designed senior officials' and Confucian scholars' houses.

Finally, drinking a cup of Chinese tea should not be missed. Tea is wonderfully refreshing when taking a rest in a teahouse. Chinese tea is a kind of culture.

When you drink tea for the first time, you will be impressed by its bittersweet taste which means pleasure comes through toil in Chinese. Tea is full of flavor and fragrance. The Bohea and the Oolong grow in the Mount Wuyi. Bohea is the variety of tea that grows on the mist-covered Mount Wuyi. The Oolong is another variety of tea with relatively strong flavor.

Only by coming to the Mount Wuyi Scenic Area, can you see the serene beauty. Its vast green waves of row upon row of verdant mountains attract a constant stream of visitors both from home and abroad.

Travel China Guide