HEALTH BENEFITS OF WHITE TEA: A CLINICAL REVIEW

About Authors:

Prof. Satyanand Tyagi*¹, Patel Chirag J², Pinkesh Patel², Chaudhari Bharat², Tarun Parashar³, Soniya³, Ankur Massey⁴
*¹President & Founder, Tyagi Pharmacy Association (TPA) & Scientific Writer (Pharmacy), Chattarpur, New Delhi, India-110074.
²Department of Pharmaceutics, Maharishi Arvind Institute of Pharmacy, Mansarovar, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India-302020.
³Department of Pharmaceutics, Himalayan Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Rajawala, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India-248007.
⁴Institute of Pharmacy, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India-284128.
*sntyagi9@yahoo.com,+91-9871111375/9582025220

ABSTRACT:
Tea has been used as medicine for centuries. Now modern science is discovering what people in China and throughout the world have long known: tea is good for us. While green and black teas are very healthy, white tea is the least processed tea and has the highest antioxidant levels.
It may be the supreme Drink of Health.By now we can see that white tea has a great range of effects on the body and a tremendous number of benefits to our health. Its supreme power is in preventing disease and disorder. White tea protects against cancer, heart disease, and stroke, the leading causes of death in the industrial world, as well as numerous other conditions. It eases the symptoms of illness and promotes recovery. White tea strengthens the circulatory and immune systems as well as bones and teeth, and builds healthy skin. It is a superb tonic and one of Nature's great gifts. White tea has many other benefits to offer. It may reduce blood sugar and help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of diabetes. It reduces stress and increases energy. White tea may or may not aid in weight-loss. Studies suggest tea may increase metabolism and encourage the body to burn more fat, but a balanced diet and regular exercise are more likely to produce results. Still, adding white tea to our weight-loss plan can't hurt. Generally two cups of white tea is recommended per day for heart health and gastro-intestinal health and to get other health benefits. The aim of present article is to enumerate various health benefits of white tea especially its role in prevention of cardio-vascular diseases. An attempt is also made to focus or highlights on history, contents, manufacturing, production, varieties as well as recent studies as related to clinical uses of white tea.

*Prof. Satyanand Tyagi is a life time member of various pharmacy professional bodies like IPA, APTI and IPGA. He has published various research papers, review articles and short communications. He is member of Editorial Advisory Board for some reputed Pharmacy Journals. He is appointed as an Author for International Pharmaceutical Writers Association (IPWA). (Appointed as an author for the chapters of book on Pharmaceutical Chemistry). His academic work includes 74 Publications (64 Review Articles, 08 Research Articles and 02 short Communications of Pharmaceutical, Medicinal and Clinical Importance, published in standard and reputed National and International Pharmacy journals; Out of 74 publications, 11 are International Publications). His research topics of interest are neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes mellitus, cancer, rare genetic disorders, psycho-pharmacological agents as well as epilepsy.

Reference Id: PHARMATUTOR-ART-1582

INTRODUCTION: HISTORY, CONTENTS AND MANUFACTURING
White tea (Fig. 1-5.) is a lightly oxidized tea grown and harvested primarily in China, mostly in the Fujian province. More recently it is grown in Taiwan, Northern Thailand and Eastern Nepal. White tea comes from the buds and leaves of the Chinese Camellia sinensis plant. White tea is made from the buds of the tea plant. It is steam dried quickly after the leaves are picked- there is no oxidation at all. Because there is no oxidation, it contains the most anti-oxidants and catechins, the least caffeine, and has a pale color with a delicate, sweet taste. This tea is pale yellow or green in color. The leaves and buds are allowed to wither in natural sunlight before they are lightly processed to prevent oxidation or further tea processing. The name "white tea" derives from the fine silvery-white hairs on the unopened buds of the tea plant, which gives the plant a whitish appearance. The beverage itself is not white or colorless but pale yellow. Scholars and tea merchants generally disagree as to when the first production of white tea (as it is understood in China today) began. What is today known as white tea may have come into creation in the last two centuries.

White tea requires great care and effort to produce. Special varieties of the tea bush are selected and tended for several years before yielding their first harvest. Early spring provides the best white tea. When the time is right, the workers carefully hand-pick the silver buds and select leaves. There is no picking on rainy days or when frost is on the ground. White tea can only be picked for a short time each year, making it rare and precious. The buds and leaves are then steamed and slowly dried. Unlike black or green tea, white tea is not rolled, and only slightly oxidized, making it the least processed tea. This may account for its powerful health benefits.

White tea may have first appeared in English publication in 1876, where it is categorized as a black tea because it is not initially cooked like a green tea, to deactivate internal enzymes and external microbes.White tea is often being sold as Silvery Tip Pekoe, a form of its traditional name, and now also under the simple designations China White and Fujian White. According to Chinese legend, some 5,000 years ago the emperor Shen Nung was travelling the countryside. The water was foul and unfit for drinking, so he ordered it to be boiled. Suddenly the wind blew a tea leaf into his cup of hot water. The curious emperor let the leaf steep, and then drank the brew. Tea was born. White tea became revered during China's Song Dynasty (960-1279). It was the choice of the royal court and was given as tribute to the emperor. White tea leaves and buds were ground into a silvery powder, which was then whisked in bowls during the Song Tea Ceremony. This was the inspiration for the famous Japanese Tea Ceremony. One Song Emperor was renowned for his love of white tea. Hui Zong (1101-1125) became so obsessed with finding the perfect tea that he lost much of his empire. Over the next several centuries, powdered white tea and the Song Tea Ceremony were abandoned for loose-leaf tea [1]. In 1885, select varieties of the tea plant were developed for white tea.

White tea has come a long way in its long history. It was largely unknown outside China and the Orient until recently. Now, with a renewed interest in fine tea and remarkable discoveries about its health benefits, white tea is being discovered and enjoyed around the world. Because white tea is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, it contains polyphenols, a phytonutrient that is thought to be responsible for the tea’s health benefits[2]. The base process for manufacturing white tea is as follows:

Fresh tea leaf → Withering → Drying (air drying, solar drying or mechanical drying) → White tea

White tea belongs to the group of tea that does not require panning, rolling or shaking. However, the selection of raw material in white tea manufacture is extremely stringent; only the plucking of young tea leaves with much fine hair can produce good-quality white tea with lots of pekoe. White tea contains high levels of catechins, some of which reduce the occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques [3] and the severity of strokes [4] and prevent cancer [5]in non-human studies.

HEALTH BENEFITS/ HEALTH EFFECTS/CLINICAL USES OF WHITE TEA
Like black and green tea, white tea is also derived from Camellia sinensis. Thus, white tea shares many of the same chemical properties and health effects of tea.

The particular amount and ratio of the polyphenol compounds found in tea varies widely from one type of white tea to another, frequently overlapping with chemical compositions found in green tea. This is due both to the variation between strains of Camellia sinensis, as well as the preparation process itself [6]. These compounds have been shown to protect against certain types of cancer both in vitro and in vivo[7].The various health benefits of white tea are listed as follows-:

*Improved Cardiovascular Function
Catechins, a group of polyphenol antioxidants found in white tea, have been found to reduce cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, and improve the function of blood vessels, thereby decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease [8].

*Antibacterial and Antiviral Action
White tea has been shown to protect animals from certain pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella tryphimurium [9].White tea is a natural killer of bacteria and viruses. The antioxidants so abundant in white tea tone the entire immune system, providing protection against a variety of invaders and a wide range of diseases. Its helps guard against the common cold and flu, and can ease the symptoms of HIV [10].

*Cancer Prevention
Antioxidants are nutrients that protect the body from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are nasty things that go around wreaking havoc on your body, damaging DNA and accelerating aging. Antioxidants scoop them up and neutralize them. White tea is loaded with these protective nutrients.White tea may have profound power against cancer-causing cells and against many different types of cancer, such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent the development of new ones. In some cases, white tea has been found to work as well as prescription drugs, but without the side effects [10].

*Lower Blood Pressure, Lower Cholesterol & Heart Protection
Studies show that white tea can thin the blood and improve artery function. It helps lower high blood pressure and maintains a healthy one. By promoting strong and healthy blood vessels, white tea guards against the ravages of stroke. Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been found to reduce cholesterol, and white tea is teeming with them.

Cholesterol is a special type of fat and is necessary for health. There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, and white tea increases the good while decreasing the bad. This helps prevent hardening of the arteries and blockage of blood flow [10].

*Stronger Bones &Healthy Teeth and Gums
Studies have found that people who drank tea regularly had greater bone density and strength than non-drinkers. White tea may also have beneficial effects for sufferers of arthritis and osteoporosis. White tea contains small amounts of fluoride and other nutrients which keeps the teeth strong and healthy. It also kills the bacteria which cause plaque, tooth decay, and bad breath.

*Healthy Skin
Free radicals from staying out in the sun too long, stress, and a poor diet can damage the skin and cause it to prematurely age. By scavenging these free radicals, white tea protects the skin and helps to reverse some of the damage. Drinking white tea promotes healthy and radiant skin.

*Other Health Benefits
White tea has many other benefits to offer. It may reduce blood sugar and help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of diabetes. It reduces stress and increases energy. White tea may or may not aid in weight-loss. Studies suggest tea may increase metabolism and encourage the body to burn more fat, but a balanced diet and regular exercise are more likely to produce results. Still, adding white tea to our weight-loss plan can't hurt.

WHITE TEA VARIETIES
There are four main varieties [11] of white tea: Silver Needle, White Peony, Long Life Eyebrow, and Tribute Eyebrow.

*Silver Needle (Baihao Yinzhen)
The finest white tea made only of silvery white buds (Fig. 6.) Beautiful to behold and delightful to drink. It is the most famous white tea, with a delicate, light, and slightly sweet flavor.

*White Peony (Bai Mudan)
Next highest in quality, White Peony consists of buds and leaves (Fig. 7.) The best White Peony has both bud and leaf covered in silvery white hair. It tends to have a stronger taste and darker color than Silver Needle.

*Long Life Eyebrow (Shou Mei)
A lower rank white tea, Long Life Eyebrow is made from leaves left over after the Silver Needle and White Peony harvest.

*Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei)
Another lesser white tea, Tribute Eyebrow is made from a special tea bush and is processed in a slightly different way than other white teas.

*Other Varieties
There are a number of other white tea varieties, some named after the region of origin, others for special ingredients added to the leaves and buds. Fruits are a popular addition and add extra sweetness to the flavor.

RECENT STUDIES REVEALING BENEFITS OF WHITE TEA
A 2004 study at Pace University revealed that white tea extract may help slow viruses and bacterial growth, thus reducing the incidence of staphylococcus and streptococcus infections, pneumonia, fungus growth, and even dental plaque. Findings from another study conducted at the Skin Study Center at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University reveal indicators that white tea helps skin cells by boosting immune systems when exposed to harmful ultra-violet radiation. An article published in the Carcinogenesis journal by scientists from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University found that consumption of moderate amounts of white or green tea may hedge against colon tumors consistent with the prescription drug, sulindac. When used in combination with the drug, the results were more effective. A study at Kingston University in 2009 showed that white tea has high anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-collagenase, and anti-elastase properties which could potentially reduce the risks of developing rheumatoid arthritis, some cancers, heart disease and slow the enzymatic break-down of elastin and collagen, traits which accompany aging [12, 13].

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MISCELLANEOUS ASPECTS IN RESEARCH AS RELATED TO WHITE TEA

*Cancer-Preventive Potential of White Tea
Known mostly to tea connoisseurs, white tea may have the strongest potential of all teas for fighting cancer, according to Oregon State University researchers. They will present their research today — the first on white tea — at the 219th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society. Among the rarest and most expensive varieties of tea, white tea is produced almost exclusively in China. It belongs to the same species (Camellia sinensis) as other tea plants, but has a higher proportion of buds to leaves. The buds are covered by silvery hairs, giving the plant a whitish appearance. Some teas are processed more than others. White tea is rapidly steamed and dried, leaving the leaves virtually “fresh.” Green tea, composed of mainly leaves, is steamed or fired prior to being rolled. Oolong and black teas get their dark colour and flavour from additional processing. The researchers theorize that processing may play a part in tea’s cancer-fighting potential. The key is a class of chemicals called polyphenols.

“Many of the more potent tea polyphenols (‘catechins’) become oxidized or destroyed as green tea is further processed into oolong and black teas,” says Roderick H. Dashwood, Ph.D., a biochemist in the university’s Linus Pauling Institute and principal investigator of the study. “Our theory was that white tea might have equivalent or higher levels of these polyphenols than green tea, and thus be more beneficial.”

Chemical analysis confirmed their theory. White tea contains the same types of polyphenols as green tea, but in different proportions. Those present in greater amounts may be responsible for white tea’s enhanced cancer-fighting potential, says Dashwood. White tea inhibited mutations more efficiently than green tea. This means it may have more potential to prevent cancer than green tea, says Gilberto Santana-Rios, Ph.D., a post-doctoral research associate with the institute, located in Corvallis, Ore. The researchers, now performing experiments in rats, report that their latest data indicate that white tea may protect against colon cancer in particular. They attribute this to elevated levels of particular liver enzymes. The researchers say more studies are needed to determine whether white tea actually protects people against cancer.

“White tea and tea in general, is a healthy alternative to other popular drinks, such as sodas,” says Dashwood. “But to be on the safe side, one should maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and avoidance of smoking.”[14, 15].

*White Tea: Solution to Obesity Epidemic?
Possible anti-obesity effects of white tea have been demonstrated in a series of experiments on human fat cells (adipocytes). Researchers have now shown that an extract of the herbal brew effectively inhibits the generation of new adipocytes and stimulates fat mobilization from mature fat cells.Marc Winnefeld led a team of researchers from Beiersdorf AG, Germany, who studied the biological effects of an extract of white tea – the least processed version of the tea plant Camellia sinensis. He said, "In the industrialized countries, the rising incidence of obesity-associated disorders including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes constitutes a growing problem. We've shown that white tea may be an ideal natural source of slimming substances".After treating lab-cultured human pre-adipocytes with the tea extract, the authors found that fat incorporation during the genesis of new adipocytes was reduced. According to Winnefeld, "The extract solution induced a decrease in the expression of genes associated with the growth of new fat cells, while also prompting existing adipocytes to break down the fat they contain".

White tea is made from the buds and first leaves of the plant used to make green tea and the black tea most commonly drunk in Western countries. It is less processed than the other teas and contains more of the ingredients thought to be active on human cells, such as methylxanthines (like caffeine) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) – which the authors believe to be responsible for many of the anti-adipogenic effects demonstrated in their study [16].

*White Tea Beats Green Tea in Fighting Germs
New studies conducted at Pace University have indicated that White Tea Extract (WTE) may have prophylactic applications in retarding growth of bacteria that cause Staphylococcus infections, Streptococcus infections, pneumonia and dental caries. Researchers present their findings today at the 104th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. "Past studies have shown that green tea stimulates the immune system to fight disease," says Milton Schiffenbauer, Ph.D., a microbiologist and professor in the Department of Biology at Pace University's Dyson College of Arts & Sciences and primary author of the research. "Our research shows White Tea Extract can actually destroy in vitro the organisms that cause disease. Study after study with tea extract proves that it has many healing properties. This is not an old wives tale, it's a fact."

White tea was more effective than green tea at inactivating bacterial viruses. Results obtained with the bacterial virus, a model system; suggest that WTE may have an anti-viral effect on human pathogenic viruses. The addition of White Tea Extract to various toothpastes enhanced the anti-microbial effect of these oral agents. Studies have also indicated that WTE has an anti-fungal effect on Penicillium chrysogenum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the presence of WTE, Penicillium spores and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells were totally inactivated. It is suggested that WTE may have an anti-fungal effect on pathogenic fungi.

Several findings in the new study are of particular interest [17]:
- The anti-viral and anti-bacterial effect of white tea (Stash and Templar brands) is greater than that of green tea.
- The anti-viral and anti-bacterial effect of several toothpastes including Aim, Aqua fresh, Colgate, Crest and Orajel was enhanced by the addition of white tea extract.
- White tea extract exhibited an anti-fungal effect on both Penicillium chrysogenum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- White tea extract may have application in the inactivation of pathogenic human microbes, i.e., bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
White tea is the rarest form of green tea and today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. Benefits of White Tea include; due to the presence of rich content of antioxidants, white tea provides the following health benefits. Due to the presence of Catechins, it lowers bad cholesterol LDL while enhances the levels of HDL, reduces hypertension, thereby prevents arteriosclerosis and improves heart and cardiovascular health. It helps for smooth flow of blood and improves the circulation of blood. As it is good for cardiovascular and circulatory systems, it prevents heart strokes mainly due to the elimination free radicals due to its antioxidant property. Flavonoids, another group of antioxidants found in white tea, are known to block the formation of carcinogenic cells and as such it prevents the cancerous growth in prostate, colon, intestine and stomach. It enhances the density of bones and preventsjoint pains, softening of bones, and arthritis.

It strengthens immune system as the antioxidants act against viruses and bacteria. As it flushes out free radicals, it improves skin health and slows down aging process. The presence of tiny amounts of fluoride improves the health of gums and teeth by destroying bacteria. White tea is more likely to lower stress and glucose levels in the blood and helpful for increasing metabolism, as some studies proved [17].

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The corresponding author, Prof. Satyanand Tyagi is highly thankful to his Parents, Teachers, wife Pooja, and daughter Tanisha for their moral support and encouragement. Last but not the least, support of all my students and the one above all of us, the omnipresent God, for answering my prayers for giving me the strength to plod on despite my constitution wanting to give up and throw in the towel, thank you so much Dear Lord.

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