What separates Ceylon tea from other teas is its location of origin, its manufacturing process, and its high levels of antioxidants. Ceylon tea could have an assortment of health benefits for the heart, gut, and kidneys. Keep reading to find out more about its health benefits and possible side effects.
What Is Ceylon Tea?
Ceylon tea identifies the geographical region, Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon), in which the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is grown. Green tea, black tea, also white tea (called Silver Tips) are developed in 11 tea areas in Sri Lanka.
The number of antioxidants in the tea is dependent upon the process before tea drying, the geographic location, soil, and weather that the tea is grown in. The kind of plant, expansion, season, and level of maturity also affects its antioxidant elements. Due to that, some people today assert that Ceylon tea is the best tea in the world.
Ceylon black tea leaves are processed (fermented), also it is the most well-known tea kind. The black tea has more caffeine than other types. Ceylon green tea is made from unfermented tea leaves and also has high antioxidant content.
White Ceylon tea leaves have been dried in the sun and would be the least processed. Because of this, white tea has more antioxidants than black and green. Ceylon white tea also contains high levels of vitamin GABA, which affects many processes in people.
Components
Plant polyphenols would be the major active chemicals in the tea; they act as antioxidants. The major polyphenols in tea are:
- Epigallocatechin — gallate (EGCG) — the most abundant polyphenol, which helps reduce inflammation
- Gallic acid
- Theogallin, which helps with brain functioning
- Cinnamic acid, which can be anti-diabetic
- Chlorogenic acid
Other active compounds include:
- Alkaloids (caffeine and theobromine)
- Amino acids (L-Theanine)
- Minerals (aluminum, magnesium, fluoride)
- Quercetin
- Kaempferol
- Myricetin
- Theaflavins
- Thearubigins
Health Benefits of Ceylon Tea
Ceylon tea has not been approved by the FDA for medical use and normally lacks strong clinical research backing up any particular health claim. Speak with your physician before supplementing.
Possibly Effective For
1) Heart Health
The flavonoids from Ceylon tea are believed to help prevent heart disease.
Two meta-analyses demonstrated that green and black tea consumption lowered blood levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol, especially in people with higher heart disease risk. However, it didn’t have a significant effect on total and good (HDL) cholesterol.
In a study of 263 subjects, consuming 9 g (approximately 3 cups) of black tea to 12 weeks, cardiovascular disease risk markers were diminished (blood uric acid and C-reactive protein levels). Black tea can benefit humans who have a higher risk of heart disease.
Consumption of green or black tea also reduced blood pressure in individuals in a meta-analysis (10 trials and 834 participants).
Green tea catechins also reduced hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in animal models and clinical trials.
Tea flavonoids also had protective effects against heart disease in a study of 3,454 subjects.
Drinking tea has been associated with reduced levels of heart disease in clinical trials of countless participants.
2) Bone Mineral Density
A meta-analysis of 17 studies demonstrated that tea consumption may decrease the incidence of osteoporosis.
A poll of 1,937 adults, drinking tea for more than 10 years had a favorable effect on bone strength and bone mineral density.
EGCG Is a powerful all-natural compound for protecting against inflammatory bone loss. In mice, EGCG acted on bone cells and suppressed prostaglandin E production, preventing inflammatory bone loss.
Meta-analyses and large association studies have found associations between tea consumption and bone mineral density.
Insufficient Evidence For
The Following purported gains are only supported by restricted, low-quality clinical studies. There is inadequate evidence to support using Ceylon tea to any of those below-listed uses. Remember to speak with a doctor before drinking Ceylon for health purposes, rather than use it in place of something your physician recommends or prescribes.
3) Brain Function
Flavonoids from Ceylon tea may also help protect the brain and boost its functioning.
In two studies, drinking black tea improved the subjects’ focus and alertness.
In a study of 10 seniors, daily consumption of low-caffeine green tea helped decrease their stress and enhanced their caliber of sleep.
A review also showed that green tea decreased anxiety, Boosted cognitive function, and assisted with memory and attention. The impact of green tea cannot be attributed to a single compound, but caffeine and L-theanine are the best 2 contributors.
EGCG raises iron-export Protein ferroportin manufacturing, which helps reduce the stress in the mind. It helped stop nerve cell degeneration in a mouse model of Parkinson’s.
Larger and stronger human trials will be asked to ascertain whether Ceylon consistently benefits cognitive functioning.
4) Diabetes
Green tea extract ingestion before moderate to extreme exercise enhanced insulin sensitivity and tolerance in a study of 23 guys.
In a 5-year study of 17,413 middle-aged subjects, consumption of green tea was associated with a decreased incidence of type 2 diabetes.
Another 11-year cohort study of 5,823 British participants reported a decline in diabetes incidence in people who drank both coffee and tea.
But, there were no relationships between drinking tea and diabetes in cohort analysis of 46,906 African-American women.
In rats, the ingestion of Ceylon black tea helped reduce blood sugar. Its anti-diabetic activity also improved insulin sensitivity.
Because of the conflicting or mixed results in some large studies of Ceylon tea and diabetes, the signs are still considered insufficient to support any benefit.
Drinking tea has been associated with reduced levels of diabetes and improved insulin sensitivity.
5) Weight Management
Green tea extract intake before moderate to extreme exercise improved fat breakdown at a study of 23 men.
Green tea polyphenols activate AMP-activated protein kinase, which helped to reduce the fat formation and stimulate fat breakdown in cows.
Additionally, Green tea extract induced genes to transform white fat cells into a less dangerous form and restricted weight-gain in high energy diet-fed rats.
Green tea also reduced obesity in mice.
There are only a few weight reduction studies that included tea. Black tea theaflavins inhibited pancreatic lipase, which assists in weight reduction.
Larger and more robust human trials will be asked to ascertain whether the tea has a plausible role in weight loss and weight management.
6) Kidney Health
Green tea polyphenols have a protective function in rats fed a high-fat diet. The polyphenols increased the generation of mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) (which improves ketogenesis). This leads to this antioxidative protection from the kidneys.
Green tea also helps eliminate toxins, hence exerts a protective effect on the kidneys.
EGCG also improved kidney function in rats by decreasing TGF-β. This also aids ameliorate diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease).
However, in cohort analysis of 12,428 subjects, there was not a very clear relationship between kidney function and tea ingestion.
Because results have been mixed or contradictory, further research is required to determine whether tea may benefit kidney health.
Animal & Cell Research (Lacking Evidence)
No Clinical evidence supports using Ceylon tea for some of the states listed within this part. Below is a summary of the present animal and cell-based research, which ought to guide additional investigational efforts. On the other hand, the research listed below should not be interpreted as supportive of any health advantage.
7) Antibacterial and Antiviral Activity
Green tea and black tea had antibacterial effects (contrary to Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus) in cell studies.
EGCG and theaflavin digallate (from black and green tea) inhibited the influenza A and influenza B virus in cells.
Additionally, tea catechins had protective activity against bacteria (Vibrio cholerae 01) in rabbits and mice.
These results are limited to cell studies. It’s unclear whether drinking tea has any impact on existing bacterial and viral infections within the body.
8) Skin Health
UV radiation has a significant role in aging and skin cancer. Green tea has anti-wrinkle, antioxidant, and immunosuppressive actions. Tea’s polyphenols protect against UV-irradiation, delaying skin aging.
Topical Application of tea extract helped heal wounds faster in mice. The wounds had less discoloration, and the epidermis comprised fewer inflammatory cells and more hydration.
Further human trials will be required to find out the use of tea in protecting or enhancing skin health.
9) Gut Function
Thearubigin, a black tea polyphenol, accelerates gut circulation, which helps with gut operate.
Theasaponin E1 from Ceylon tea seeds has protective effects on stomach wounds in rats.
These effects have yet to be investigated in human trials.
Cancer Prevention Research
Ceylon Tea and its compounds aren’t strong enough to prevent or treat cancer. But many researchers have investigated whether regular tea drinking has an effect on the incidence of cancer.
An Evaluation of 9 cohort studies (of 465,000 individuals ) revealed that green tea intake was associated with fewer cases of liver cancer in Asian girls, but maybe not in Asian guys.
Also, A rise in the use of green tea has been tentatively linked with reduced lung cancer risk, according to a meta-analysis of 22 research.
Additionally, Daily supplementation with 600 mg of green tea catechins (EGCG) for 1 year significantly reduced prostate cancer progression in 60 volunteers.
Green tea also had protective effects on esophageal cancer at a meta-analysis of 24 research using 7,376 subjects.
In mice, drinking black or green tea inhibited:
- Skin cancers
- Pancreatic cancer
- Breast tumors (equally hormone-dependent and independent)
- Intestinal and colon cancers
Tea polyphenols are also being researched for their potential effect on ovarian cancer and leukemia cells.
The available data indicates a possible function for tea in cancer prevention. However, further research is needed to determine the function of tea polyphenols against cancer.
Limitations and Caveats
The Majority of the studies are based on the tea plant Camellia sinensis, however, they don’t mention the origin of the plant. Thus, many of the subsequent health benefits are from tea in general, and not from a specific location. Just in the sections where Ceylon tea is specially mentioned did the research use tea in Sri Lanka.
Additionally, Much of the research is animal research. More human trials are required before the extensive use of Ceylon tea for its health benefits.
Side Effects & Precautions
Drinking Moderate amounts of black tea is safe for most adults, but drinking more than 5 cups per day is unsafe. This is because of the high amounts of caffeine, which can cause mild to severe side effects. Caffeine can cause seizures, delirium, and heart speed problems.
If You’re pregnant or breastfeeding, drinking a tiny amount is secure, but drinking more than two cups per day can lead to health issues. It’s linked to a rise in miscarriages, sudden infant death syndrome, and reduced birth weight.
In one case study, drinking black tea delayed recovery from iron-deficiency anemia by preventing iron absorption.
Green tea catechins decreased thyroid hormone levels in rats. High levels of tea consumption might cause thyroid disorder.
Ceylon Tea is full of fluoride. Although fluoride is good for your teeth in tiny quantities, high amounts can cause harm. Dental fluorosis is a concern.
Ceylon tea is thought to be very secure to consume, but ingesting large amounts of tea could be dangerous during pregnancy or in people with anemia, thyroid dysfunction, or some other sensitivity to caffeine.
Drug Interactions
Flavonoid Interactions
Flavonoids From tea go through the very same pathways as drugs. They could possibly interfere with absorption, tissue distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. They inhibit both cytochrome P450 and drug transporters.
Flavonoids Are involved with the action and creation of CYP1A2, which can be very important to the metabolism of major drugs such as caffeine, theophylline, warfarin, and propranolol.
Quercetin (a flavonoid) from black tea inhibits detoxification of many drugs: Salbutamol, minoxidil, Tylenol, and apomorphine.
Caffeine Interactions
In a study of 237 subjects, caffeine and theophylline from tea interfered with benzodiazepine absorption in men.
Caffeine interactions with drugs through P450 cytochrome might change the metabolism of:
- Fluvoxamine
- Antiarrhythmics (mexiletine)
- Antipsychotics (clozapine)
- Psoralens
- Idrocilamide
- Bronchodilators (furafylline, theophylline)
- Enoxacin
Ceylon tea may affect drug absorption. Talk with your doctor about if any of your medications might interact with Ceylon tea.
Drinking Ceylon Tea
Dosage
There Is no officially accepted dose of tea for any specific medical function because no sufficiently strong studies are conducted to ascertain one. However, several reviews and studies Have Discovered significant relationships between tea and particular health advantages, including:
- For diminishing cardiovascular disease risk markers: 9 g of black tea daily
- For increasing fat breakdown and insulin sensitivity during workout: 3 capsules of green tea extract (9 grams polyphenols and 3 g EGCG)
- Connected with reduced levels of prostate cancer: 600 mg of EGCG
- For diabetes mellitus type 2: Green tea and coffee combined (2 or more cups daily )
- Connected with reduced rates of lung cancer: two cups of green tea per day
- Connected with reduced levels of Parkinson disease: greater than two cups per day
Takeaway
Ceylon Tea is a type of black, green, or white tea grown in the Ceylon area of Sri Lanka. Its polyphenols, including EGCG and theophylline, have been associated with lower rates of heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity, and much more.
Drinking Ceylon tea is considered very safe, But it could rarely interact with medications, and it contains enough Caffeine and polyphenols to create reactions if consumed in substantial Enough quantities (several cups per day).