Ceylon Tea: Nutrition, Benefits, and Potential Downsides

Medically Reviewed on 8/18/2022
Ceylon Tea
Ceylon tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants, tannins, flavonoids, and catechins that promote health.

Ceylon tea, often known as Sri Lankan tea, is a native to that country. It is a well-liked option due to its flavor and aroma. It can be served either as a regular warm tea or in a more popular form as iced tea.

Ceylon tea is a very well-liked beverage that tea lovers all around the world adore. It is made from dried Camellia sinensis leaves.

  • Unlike other teas whose names are derived from the leaves from which they are prepared, Ceylon tea is named after the place where the tea leaves are grown. Ceylon was a British colony, which is at present the biggest producer of coffee in the world. However, when a plant disease (coffee rust) wiped out the coffee business, tea producers took over the infrastructure and started a new, prosperous sector.
  • Various varieties of Ceylon tea are available. They come from the same plant, but they go through various processing steps. Green, black, and white Ceylon tea are some of the different varieties that are offered.
  • This nutritious beverage is packed with nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and flavonoids, that have numerous advantages for both health and beauty.
  • Despite these advantages, Ceylon tea has potential negative effects that should be avoided by drinking it in moderation.

7 health benefits of Ceylon tea

Seven health benefits of Ceylon tea include:

  1. Diabetes: For overall health, stable blood sugar levels are essential. Numerous negative side effects, such as increased thirst and accidental weight loss, might be brought on by high blood sugar. Maintaining high blood sugar levels over time may result in even more severe symptoms, including issues with renal function and wound healing.
    • According to some research, incorporating Ceylon tea into your routine may be a simple and effective strategy to maintain a stable blood sugar level. 
    • A review that combined the findings of 17 trials of green tea was found to be successful in decreasing blood sugar and enhancing insulin sensitivity. 
    • According to another Thai study, black tea consumption was able to lower blood sugar levels in normal and prediabetic subjects.
  2. Weight loss: Adding a cup or two of Ceylon tea to your routine can be an efficient approach to promote weight reduction with little effort necessary when accompanied by a healthy diet and active lifestyle.
    • According to one study, white tea extract promoted the breakdown of existing fat cells while inhibiting the growth of new ones.
    • Another study reported that consuming green tea extract for 12 weeks significantly reduced body fat, as well as systolic blood pressure and harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
  3. Improves skin health: Tea extracts are full of polyphenols, which assist to minimize skin damage and enhance skin appearance.
    • According to studies, green tea polyphenols are potent chemopreventive agents and may serve as a natural substitute for photoprotection (against UV radiation).
    • Additionally, drinking green tea may increase the formation of collagen and elastin fiber, which reduce the effects of photoaging and have an anti-wrinkle effect.
  4. Protects the brain: Because it is rich in catechins, polyphenols, and health-promoting characteristics, some studies suggest that the frequent use of Ceylon tea may have significant positive effects on brain health and the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. 
    • According to studies, drinking green tea has been linked to improved cognitive function in seniors and a decreased risk of cognitive decline.
    • Based on in vitro research, white tea may shield brain cells from oxidative stress, toxicity, and harm caused by oxidative stress.
  5. Reduces the risk of cancer: Because of its strong antioxidant content, Ceylon tea is ranked as one of the top foods that help prevent cancer.
    • According to research, antioxidants and polyphenols in Ceylon tea may help protect against cancer and combat cancer-causing free radicals to halt the progression of the disease.
    • Despite the lack of human studies in this area, animal models and in vitro studies have demonstrated that some forms of tea, particularly green and white tea, can help prevent the growth and spread of tumor cells in various types of cancer.
  6. Helps reduce cholesterol: A waxy, fat-like substance called cholesterol can accumulate in the blood circulation and harden arteries, increasing the risk of serious and sometimes fatal illnesses such as coronary heart disease and stroke.
    • Several strategies reduce your cholesterol naturally, from altering your diet and lifestyle measures to working out.
    • Research has suggested that consuming Ceylon tea regularly can help reduce cholesterol levels swiftly and easily.
    • An extensive analysis of 14 trials revealed that taking green tea extract supplements significantly lowered levels of LDL and triglyceride. A similar study reported that consuming black tea, in addition to a good diet, helps reduce overall.
  7. Prevents kidney stones: A catechin found in tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate may aid in the treatment and prevention of renal ailments. According to studies, drinking green tea may help prevent kidney stones from forming. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that a high catechin diet can inhibit the development of calcium oxalate monohydrate stones.

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What are the nutrients present in Ceylon tea?

Like other varieties of tea, Ceylon tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants, tannins, flavonoids, and catechins that promote health. Although it is almost entirely calorie-free, it sucks out a tiny amount of many significant minerals, such as potassium and fluoride.

Every eight-ounce serving of Ceylon tea contains about 23 to110 mg of caffeine. This quantity can change depending on a few variables, including the brand, type of tea, and length of steeping time.

What are the side effects of Ceylon tea?

Ceylon tea can be a safe and healthy addition to most people's diets when taken moderately. However, it contains caffeine, which can cause adverse reactions in some people.

  • Ceylon tea typically contains 23 to 110 mg of caffeine per eight ounces. Although it might be double or triple this amount depending on the brand and type of coffee, it is typically less than a cup of coffee, which has about 95 mg of caffeine per cup.
  • Caffeine use can have several positive health consequences, but it can have a few detrimental ones. Caffeine overdose symptoms can include increased thirst, a quick heartbeat, confusion, perspiration, and muscular spasms.
  • In one study, a 37-year-old lady who drank nearly 2 L of black tea per day was shown to have delayed recovery from an iron deficiency anemia and that black tea influences iron absorption.
  • When ingested in large doses, the fluoride included in Ceylon tea can potentially cause fluorosis, a disorder characterized by tooth discoloration brought on by fluoride exposure.

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Medically Reviewed on 8/18/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image

https://healthbenefitsof.org/6-shocking-health-benefits-of-ceylon-tea/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6930595/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11209110/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6412948/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30615092/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15592095/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6412450/