Tea - FAQ's
What is the difference between Wu long and oolong teas?
What are the active ingredients in Wu long tea?
Can you lose weight by drinking Wu long tea?
How does Wu-Long tea control weight loss?
Does wu long tea really work?
Does adding sweeteners, cream, or milk etc
change the effectiveness of wu long tea?
What are the other health benefits of Wu Long Tea?
Where can I buy Wu long tea?
How much Green tea do I need to drink daily to get the full health benefit?
Is the Floride found in Green tea a health risk?
Does tea block the absorption of iron into the body?
Can I buy Wu long tea online without a credit card?
Q: What is the difference between Wu long and oolong teas?
A: Actually, the names are interchangable there is no difference!
Q:What are the active ingredients in Wu long tea?
A: Wu long tea is a natural herb which is derived from the plant, Camellia Sinensis, actually all teas come from this plant species. The active ingredients in wu long tea that are responsible for producing the many health benefits is a compound group called Polyphenol
Specifically, "Polyphenol" is reported to activate the enzyme that is responsible for dissolving triglyceride. It has been confirmed that the continuous intake of oolong tea contributes to enhancing the function of fat metabolism and to controlling obesity.
The other active ingredient in Wu Long tea is Catechin, which is a powerful antioxidant and has the amazing ability to destroy free-radicals which cause cell damage and potential risk to certain cancers.
As Wu long teas are fermented (oxidized),
other powerful antioxidant compounds - theaflavins and thearubigins become present in the tea leaves
- these two ingredients are very unique to wu-long teas.
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Q: Can you lose weight by drinking Wu long tea?
A: Studies have shown that wulong tea increases the metabolism and
energy expenditure
by as much as 10%. Regular consumption combined with sensible dieting should yield
favorable results. It is reported that a loss of 10-15 "extra" lbs can be attained by simply drinking
a few cups of wu long daily. This will vary and is contigent on other factors of course ( sensible diet,
generally healthy lifestyle, no excessive eating or drinking alcohol ect..)
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Q: How does Wu-Long tea control weight loss?
A: Polyphenol in oolong tea is effective in controlling obesity. Specifically speaking, it activates the enzyme that is responsible for dissolving triglyceride. It has been confirmed that the continuous intake of oolong tea contributes to enhancing the function of fat metabolism and to controlling obesity.
Studies have shown that fat oxidization in a control group
given wulong tea was 12%
higher than the control group which was given only water.
See study abstract: Weight loss study
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Q: Does Wu Long Tea Really Work?
Yes, The active ingredients in wu long tea (oolong) have been proven to increase metabolism which speeds up calorie burning. The antioxident properties destroy free radicals which protects cells.
There are many web sites that may overstate the abilities of wu long tea as a weight loss aid claiming drastic weight loss by simply drinking a few cups a day. All wu long tea comes from the same plant so when you see titles like "slimming wu long tea", "wu long weight loss tea" etc... The active ingredients are no different than if you purchased loose leaf wu long tea from any reputable online tea outlet.
Nonetheless, tea is no doubt one of the most healthy, natural substances you can put into your body, and realistic expectations are needed when considering Wu long tea strictly as a diet aid. The most effective way to incorporate Wu Long tea is into an overall plan that combines a sane, well balanced diet and exercise program.
Some people have no agenda! They simply drink Wu long tea because of the
robust, complex taste and have been doing so for years!
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Q:Does adding sweeteners, cream, or milk etc change the effectiveness of wu long tea?
A: In the word of long time tea expert Michael Sanft - President and Co-owner of Generation Tea:
"My opinion is that anything you add to tea changes the
properties to some degree. I would not say it is necessarily less
effective, but for dieting purposes I suggest to move toward nothing
added to the tea. One sometimes needs to work toward that as many
people are used to sweet drinks. Once the palate is accustomed to the
taste of the tea, no additives will be needed. Some of the teas
antioxidant properties could be divereted to the additive."
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Q: What are the other health benefits of Wu Long Tea?
A: There is strong evidence that
Wu long tea: Blocks Fattening Carbs,
strengthens the immune system, Clarifies
skin
, Can reverse some of the visible
signs of aging, protects the teeth,
and is a great andioxidant.
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Q: Where can I buy Wu Long tea? Is it expensive?
A: We recommend buying any teas online from established tea merchants such as Generation Tea - Generation Tea Quality is the main reason. Stay away from grocery store varieties as oxidization and shelf life reduce the potency of the active ingredients in teas. Also full leaf tea is much better tasting and much more potent regarding polyhenol and catechins. Many Grocery store tea products are little more than "tea dust" that is packaged and sold as green or wu long tea.
The better online tea stores will sell as little as 2 oz orders. ( 2 oz yields about 28 cups of tea; some varieties start at about $8.00 for 2 oz. ) This allows tea drinkers to experience the subtle taste and aroma differences between the different wu long teas - without spending a lot!.
Here are some excellent wu longs, very reasonably priced:
Flowery Golden Buds Oolong - This tea almosts tastes like an Osmanthus with a real sweet and full cup. Flowery Golden Buds Oolong
2006 Spring Buds Green Jade Oolong Pesticide free - It
has a really spicy and sweet taste and makes a great morning tea. 2006 Spring Buds Green Jade Oolong
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Q: How much Green tea do I need to drink daily to get the full health benefit?
A: When using
a dry green tea containing
at least 7%, preferably 9-10%,
EGCG a daily consumption of 9 to 30
grams of tea leaves brewed properly in a total volume of 1,200
ml of hot water would be adequate for the purpose of maintaining
a healthy immune system and for reducing free radical damage in
the body. This about 3 - 4 cups a day.
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Q: Is the Floride found in Green tea a health risk?
A: Fluoride in tea has drawn the
attention of some news media recently.
Fluoride intoxication has been
known to be a health issue for
Tibet people who consume brick tea,
a type of black tea.
Fluoride contents in green
teas are said to be too low to cause any health concerns. If you
feel you are at risk consult your physician before consuming ant tea products.
Some relevent studies: Green tea and Floride
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Q:Does tea block the absorbtion of iron into the body?
A: Although sometimes there may be a relationship between tea drinking and reduced absorption of iron, research indicates that individuals consuming a typical Western diet are not likely to be at risk for iron deficiency anemia. Tea has no effect on iron absorption when consumed between meals, but may decrease the uptake of iron from plant foods when consumed with a meal. To offset tea's minor effect on iron absorption, foods rich in vitamin C, such as orange juice, strawberries,
or tomatoes can be eaten in the same meal.
Adding lemon to tea works as well.
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Q: Can I buy Wu long tea online without a credit card?
A: Yes. Follow these steps. Read through this FAQ - THEN - Click on this link - 
Tung Ting Jade Wu-long (Superior)
This will bring you to the Dragon Water LLC website. They are an excellent online tea store, they offer many wu long teas ( oolongs as they are called on their website ) and you may order small quantities such as 1/2 ounce samplers.
After you click on the link and arrive on their page there is a menu on the left that has all the wu long teas(oolong). Browse this to see all your choices. One drawback is they may not have the exact tea in stock at the moment, however you may have them notify you when it becomes available.
All you do is go through their EASY shopping cart process;
at the end you will get an option to pay with either CHECK or MONEY ORDER..
One of the few that
offers this!
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