| All teas contain a high level of antioxidants; however | | | | epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin. EGCG, or |
| white tea antioxidants are higher than in other types of | | | | epigallocatechin gallate, is the most prominent |
| teas. The high antioxidant level in the tea is caused by | | | | antioxidant. Nearly half of the antioxidant is comprised |
| sunlight. Green plants get energy to grow from sunlight | | | | of EGCG and it is a very potent ingredient. Laboratory |
| and chlorophyll, but sunlight can also be damaging to | | | | tests have determined that EGCG is able to be 100 |
| them. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be especially | | | | times more active than vitamins A & C. A cup of |
| harmful to plants and antioxidants basically help protect | | | | white tea is believed to have more antioxidants in it |
| plants from this possible damage. | | | | than a serving of broccoli, spinach, strawberries and |
| Where do antioxidants come from? Living cells of | | | | other healthy vegetables and fruits. This is a perfect |
| plants can be destroyed as the plants are trying to | | | | example of white tea antioxidants at work. |
| protect themselves from the harmful sunlight rays. | | | | White tea antioxidants are mostly present in strong |
| Free radicals are created in leaf cells by the UV | | | | quantities because of the EGCG contained in it. EGCG |
| radiation in direct sunlight. Animals are born with | | | | has been proven to reduce several health ailments |
| advanced immune systems that protect them from | | | | and diseases such as skin, lung and breast cancers. It |
| these free radicals, but plants are not. Plants instead | | | | also reduces the risk of serious conditions such as |
| produce chemicals (called phytonutrients) to protect | | | | stroke, heart disease and diabetes. EGCG can also |
| themselves, antioxidants being the most important | | | | slow the aging process, prolonging youthfulness and |
| ones. | | | | health in the consumer. |
| There is more to the process of antioxidant activity, | | | | White tea is the least processed of all teas so during |
| such as searching for free radicals (chemicals created | | | | the harvesting process the healthy antioxidants remain |
| by sunlight hitting the plant leaves). The antioxidants | | | | in stronger quantities than in other types of teas. The |
| attack the free radical cells and may kill them, causing | | | | leaves are comprised of more than 30 percent of |
| the plants to age and sometimes catch diseases. Free | | | | healthy antioxidants. |
| radical activity is limited by the antioxidants. Since | | | | The antioxidants present in white tea help fight off |
| antioxidants are present in high amounts in white tea | | | | many diseases and conditions, making it one of the |
| plants, it takes a lot of balance to keep the plants alive | | | | healthiest teas to consume. Its preventative qualities |
| as this battle is ongoing. | | | | are just an added benefit to this delicious choice of |
| There are many antioxidants contain in this tea, most | | | | beverage. White tea antioxidants are important to |
| from the catechin family, including epicatechin, | | | | maintain good health and reducing health risks. |