Next to water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. All tea comes from the same species of plant Camellia Sinensis. It is in the fermentation process that produces the many wonderfully different tasting and fragrant teas. Wu-Long (or oolong) is a partially fermented tea which is processed between the black and green tea families. Wu-Long is grown in China, specifically, in the southern regions of China like Taiwan, Guangdong and Fujian.

There is a lot of Wu-Long tea varieties of taste and color resulting from the varying degrees of fermentation or the "firing process" - much like the aging and fermentation of fine wines. Remember - always buy a tea at the tea store and avoid the grocery stores. Tea in bags is incomparable worse quality.

* Wu-long tea possess the best qualities of both black and green teas. It has the refreshing qualities of green teas while also has the fragrance of black teas. *

Wu-long tea has gained much popularity lately because of the many health benefits. Specially since 2003 when many of studies were made public. Due to its overwhelming popularity, serious research has been conducted in the last 30 years regarding the many health claims of wu-long tea, mainly as a weight loss aid and antioxidant.

* People are discovering that besides increasing your body energy, promoting metabolism and controlling obesity, Wu-Long tea reverses signs of aging, strengthens your immune system, promotes strong, healthy teeth and great, clear skin. *

As we age the effect of stress, pollution, processed food additives etc.. take its toll on your body by creating free radicals. These free radicals are responsible for producing many of the visible signs associated with aging such as dark spots and wrinkling of the skin. Drinking Wu long has been proven to reduce and destroy 1/2 the amount of free radicals in the body thus may help reduce the visible signs associated with aging. It can also bolster the immune system as suggested by recent studies, probably due to the strong antioxidant properties. A study from the Dept of Dentistry at Japan's Osaka University concluded, that routine and regular consumption of Wu-Long tea reduced the effect of plaque deposit thus preventing tooth decay. This is due to the anti-bacterial effect against oral streptococci. In a new study published in the academic journal Archives of Dermatology, researchers from Japan's Shiga University of Medical Science found that drinking Wu-Long daily had a dramatic skin clearing effect, within about 4 weeks of regular consumption.

Weight Loss with Wu-Long Tea

Wu-Long tea helps you lose weight in many different ways. Studies have shown that there is a a high correlation between wu-long tea consumption and increased metabolism and calorie burning.

* Wu-Long Tea Burns Calories *

A substance called "Polyphenol" in Wu-Long tea is known to effectively control 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.

A study published in 2003 in the Journal of Medical Investigation by entitled "Oolong Tea Increases Energy Metabolism in Japanese Females" which studied the effects of Wu-Long tea drinking on women showed a high correlation of weight loss and wu-long tea consumption. The actual study group was 120 Japanese women who drank wu-long tea for 6-weeks as opposed to traditional green tea, typically after a meal. What the study found was that the women who consumed the wu-long tea directly after the meal increased energy expenditure by 10%. The energy expenditure of women who consumed the traditional green tea was only 4% and those who drank water was 0. So twice as many calories were burned by the Wu-Long tea drinkers!

* Wu-Long Tea Blocks Fattening Carbs *

Researchers in Japan discovered that drinking Wu-long tea before consuming carbs (15 minutes before) reduces the effect of the insulin boost usually associated when carbs are eaten. This means the carbs that are usually stored and converted to fat are blocked. You can eat cake, pasta, bread etc without gaining the weight associated with carb intake.

How Much Weight Can I Lose Drinking Wu-Long Tea?

It has been reported that consistent consumption can trim of 10 - 15 pounds off your regular body weight, simply by drinking 3-4 cups a day. How much weight you lose is dependent on many factors mainly your overall food intake, types of foods you eat, exercise etc.. but it seems clear that including Wu-Long tea into a diet plan can only expedite your weight loss results. Some are claiming it a Miracle weight loss drink!

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