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A list of the healthiest teas has been compiled
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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The possible positive health effects of tea consumption have been confirmed by many studies. The least processed types of tea - green and white, as well as various herbal teas (infusions) - are considered the most beneficial.
Herbal tea
Herbal tea, or decoction, is an infusion of herbs not made from the leaves of the tea plant. The infusion can be made from fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds, and roots. Typically, the plant parts are steeped in boiling water for a few minutes. There are many varieties of herbal tea.
Herbal plants are grown for culinary, medicinal, and in some cases even spiritual purposes. The green leafy parts of the plant are usually used. The general use of herbs for tea is different from culinary herbs and medicinal plants. Medicinal herbs may be shrubs or woody plants, while culinary herbs are not woody plants. On the other hand, spices and seeds, berries, bark, roots, fruits, and other parts of the plant are also left in some cases, so all of these, as well as any edible fruits or vegetables, can be considered “herbs” in the medicinal sense.
White tea
White tea is a tea made from the new buds and young leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant (tea leaf). The leaves are steamed or roasted to inactivate oxidation and then dried. White tea retains the high concentration of catechins that are present in fresh tea leaves.
The buds may also be protected from direct sunlight during growth to reduce chlorophyll formation. White tea is made from small buds covered in silvery hairs that give the young shoots their white color.
There are many varieties of tea, the most popular being Da Bai (Large White), Xiao Bai (Small White), Narcissus and Chaicha bushes. White tea is steamed and dried almost immediately after harvest (sometimes even before the fields are harvested).
Green tea
Green tea is made from more mature tea leaves than white tea and may be dried first before being steamed or roasted. Although green tea is rich in catechins, it has fewer beneficial compounds than white tea. It also undergoes minimal oxidation during processing.
Health Benefits of Tea
Research suggests that polyphenols in green and white tea have antioxidant properties that may help prevent cancer. Research on tea is ongoing. There is also speculation that tea may help increase exercise endurance by improving fat metabolism.
You should consult your doctor before using high concentrations of tea for disease prevention. Drinking large amounts of tea may cause digestive and other problems due to the high potency of polyphenols in tea and caffeine, although there is no reliable data regarding the harmful effects of tea consumption.