6 Ways Oolong Tea Benefits Your Body and Health

Adding this delicious tea to your daily routine may help you shed those unwanted pounds!

If you’re looking for a delicious drink that can help you shed those unwanted pounds, oolong tea might just become your new favorite tea.

This healing tea originates from China, where it was used as a medicinal beverage for thousands of years.

Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed around the world. Oolong tea is not widely known, but it is actually one of three main groups of teas.

These groups are non-fermented (green tea), semi-fermented (oolong tea), and fully fermented (black tea) (1).

All groups come from the same plant but vary in processing techniques. It is the different techniques that result in variations of color, taste, and aroma.

The health benefits of oolong tea are extensive. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of oolong tea are well-documented (14).

Drinking oolong tea has been studied for its ability to boost metabolism and burn fat (2). This tea also combats conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity (3). 

So instead of a second cup of coffee in the morning, consider replacing it with a mug of oolong tea.

6 Ways Oolong Tea Benefits Your Body and Health

Keep reading below to find out how much oolong tea you should be drinking per day. Also, get tips on how to brew the best cup of oolong tea for maximum benefits.

1. Boosts Metabolism

When it comes to boosting metabolism and shedding pounds, both oolong and green teas are effective (6).

A study in men found that oolong tea not only increased metabolism, it also increased fat oxidation (2).

This means that oolong tea may help you maintain a lower body fat content if consumed consistently and, of course, along with a healthy diet.

2. Good For Your Gut

Oolong tea is good for your gut. The polyphenols in oolong tea act as prebiotics, which increases the good bacteria in the gut and improves the intestinal microbial balance (4) (14). 

In addition, the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of oolong tea inhibit the growth of bad bacteria.

Oolong tea also has an alkalizing effect, which helps to reduce inflammation. All of these factors help the bowels to work more efficiently. 

3. Keeps Fat off The Body

Research studies show that catechin-rich teas like oolong tea increase fat oxidation (5) (6). This may make it easier to burn that stubborn belly fat.

Another study showed that oolong tea cuts fat absorption and increases fat excretion (8).

4. Effects on Appetite

Some people find that sipping oolong tea before or after a meal helps to reduce appetite, although it is difficult to find studies that back up this claim. However, it doesn’t hurt to try this technique.

Research has shown that oolong tea can help lower blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 Diabetes (9).

Both high and low blood sugar can trigger appetite so stable blood sugar is essential for appetite regulation.

5. Benefits Heart Health

Oolong tea benefits the cardiovascular system by lowering triglycerides and cholesterol (10). Long-term oolong tea consumption also lowers LDL cholesterol, which is considered the “bad” cholesterol (12).

A study in Taiwan showed that people with habitual oolong tea consumption had a significant reduction in the risk of hypertension (11).

6. Curbs Blue Moods

Habitual tea drinking benefits more than just mood, it also helps improve cognition, mental wellbeing, and brain function (13).

How Much Oolong Tea to Drink

Start out by sipping 1 to 2 cups of oolong tea daily. Increase to 4 cups per day if desired.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon Oolong tea leaves 
• 1 cup nearly boiling water (do not boil)

How To Prepare

• Add Oolong tea leaves to 1 cup nearly boiling water ~ 190 degrees
• Steep for 5 minutes.
• Strain the tea before drinking unless it is already in a tea bag.

Avoid boiling water in order to preserve the antioxidants. Like all teas, oolong tea can be enjoyed hot or iced.

Summary

Oolong, a traditional Chinese tea, is a semi-fermented tea with its own unique aroma and taste. Its rising popularity is largely due to its role in supporting weight loss and speeding up metabolism. 

The antioxidants in oolong tea, specifically polyphenolic flavonoids, possess numerous health benefits.

Habitual consumption of oolong tea has protective effects against many diseases: cardiovascular (heart), diabetes, and cancer (14).