Green tea or white tea?

Study touts benefits of white tea over green tea February 16, 2006

Many tea drinkers are familiar with the potential health benefits of green tea, but have you tried white tea?

According to a study done by the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State, white tea contains a higher proportion of buds, which are covered with fine, silvery hairs that impart a light white/grey color to the tea. White tea brews to a pale yellow/light red color, and has a slightly sweet flavor with no grassy undertones sometimes associated with green tea.

Researchers at the LPI tested four types of white tea for their ability to inhibit mutations in bacteria, and subsequently examined the protective properties in a rat colon cancer model. In the former studies using bacteria, white teas were generally more effective than green tea in inhibiting mutations.

Paula Peatross, clinical dietitian with St. Mary's Medical Center, said some teas can be high in vitamin K and that all teas contain tannins. They are a component of tea that helps prevent cancer-causing agents from binding to target sites.

"Green tea is also high in antioxidants," Peatross said. "Antioxidants can help protect the cell membranes."

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