White Tea Research

White Tea - August 2009 Research Findings

The below press release and research findings summary on white tea, dated 10 August 2009, are reproduced with the kind permission of Kingston University, London who conducted the research. A link to the full article is listed at the end of the release immediately before the formal acknowledgements.

White tea could keep you healthy and looking young

Next time you're making a cuppa, new research shows it might be wise to opt for a white tea if you want to reduce your risk of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or even just age-associated wrinkles. Researchers from Kingston University teamed up with Neal's Yard Remedies to test the health properties of 21 plant and herb extracts. They discovered all of the plants tested had some potential benefits, but were intrigued to find white tea considerably outperformed all of them.

Professor Declan Naughton, from the School of Life Sciences at Kingston University in South West London, said the research showed white tea had anti-ageing potential and high levels of anti-oxidants which could prevent cancer and heart disease. "We've carried out tests to identify plant extracts that protected the structural proteins of the skin, specifically elastin and collagen," he explained. "Elastin supports the body's natural elasticity which helps lungs, arteries, ligaments and skin to function. It also helps body tissue to repair when you suffer wounds and stops skin from sagging." Collagen is a protein found in connective tissues in the body and is important for skin, strength and elasticity, he added.

Results showed white tea prevented the activities of the enzymes which breakdown elastin and collagen which can lead to wrinkles that accompany ageing. These enzymes, along with oxidants, are associated with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Professor Naughton said: "These enzymes and oxidants are key components of normal body processes. However, in inflammatory conditions, suppressing the activities of these excess components has been the subject of decades of research. We were surprised to find such high activity for the white tea extracts in all five tests that were conducted."

The researchers were blown away by exactly how well the white tea had performed. "We were testing very small amounts far less than you would find in a drink," Professor Naughton, one of the country's leading specialists on inflammation, said. "The early indicators are that white tea reduces the risk of inflammation which is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers as well as wrinkles."

Eight of the other plants and herbs analysed also helped protect against the breakdown of both elastin and collagen. After white tea, bladderwrack performed well followed by extracts of cleavers, rose, green tea, angelica, anise and pomegranate.

Dr Pauline Hili, Technical Director for Neal's Yard Remedies, said: "We are really excited by this research as it helps us to remain innovative and at the cutting edge of natural skin care. Celebrating the plants used in the Neal's Yard Remedies products and understanding their specific actions on the skin is what it is all about. The Kingston University research program helps us to create safe, highly effective and cutting-edge products so it's an ideal partnership for us."

Additional Information:

The research findings have just been published in the BioMed Central journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-oxidant activities of extracts from 21 plants 
Tamsyn SA Thring, Pauline Hili, Declan P Naughton 
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2009, 9:27 (4 August 2009)

The full article is on free 'open access' and can be obtained at the web site below:

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/9/27/abstract

Note:

Tea Global has reproduced this document with the kind permission of Kingston University, South West London.

Kingston University With more than 22,000 students, Kingston University is the largest provider of higher education in South West London, offering an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes both in the United Kingdom and overseas. The University is renowned for teaching excellence, has established itself as a growing force in research and is a pioneer in the launch of Foundation Degrees. In its most recent University league table, The Sunday Times praised Kingston's record for teaching quality for positioning it "in the vanguard of the modern university sector" and making the University "a match for many older institutions".

Neal's Yard Remedies Since its opening, Neal's Yard Remedies has been dedicated to following ethical philosophies, with the hand made products designed to be as natural, biodegradable and environmentally friendly as possible. All aspects of the brand, from skincare to herbal teas and tinctures are formulated and packaged in line with the brand's award-winning philosophies and Carbon Neutral certification. Neal's Yard Remedies has collaborated with the Soil Association to establish clearer guidelines for its consumers, to ensure that all products - and other organic products and brands - clearly notify customers of products' organic content.