Jasmine tea is not precisely tea produced from Jasmine leaves. It is camellia sinesis tea, typically of the green variety (sometimes oolong, rarely black due to its strong, overpowering flavor) to which jasmine leaves have been added for aroma and taste. It is very commonly found in Chinese markets and restaurants.
Because Jasmine tea is essentially green or oolong, its benefits are roughly the same as those for each. The addition of the jasmine leaves is simply to give the tea a more floral flavor and scent. It has been found by regular consumers, however, that the jasmine in jasmine teas provides a calming, soothing effect on the stomach and that its sweet, gentle taste makes them easier to consume. The health effects of its typical base tea, green tea, have been well studied and documented. They include:
Antioxidation: Jasmine tea with a green base has been found to reduce oxidation by up to one hundred percent over a period of forty days. Oxidation is the damage to cells, often associated with aging, caused by free radicals as they travel through the body.
Weight Loss: Green tea's combination of antioxidants and caffeine has been found to increase metabolism and the burning of calories. High quality Jasmine Tea, which contains the same amount of caffeine and antioxidants as pure green tea, will do the same with the added benefit of its naturally sweet flavor which means some people who are dieting but would ordinarily add sugar or honey to their tea no longer have to.
Heart Benefits: Some scientific studies have found that consuming green or jasmine tea will increase the amount of fatty acids and cholesterol that is excreted. This means, in theory, that the tea is reducing the amount of fat and cholesterol that is absorbed by the body. It has also been found that these teas help reduce the levels of triglycerides in the blood. All this adds up to potentially lower blood pressure and innumerable benefits for the heart.
Cancer Prevention: It has long been claimed, though unproven, that camellia sinesis teas have cancer prevention properties. It has also been claimed, however, that jasmine extract helps reduce the incidence rates of certain cancers. Some studies on rats have correlated the consumption of teas with a reduction in the likelihood of suffering from some cancers with jasmine teas having the most success. This does not mean jasmine tea will prevent cancer, but it may mean that its many health benefits could also lower, however slightly, the predisposition to suffer from certain cancers.
Calming Effect: Jasmine has traditionally been used in aroma therapy, and it has been found that jasmine extract can have a mild sedative effect. Thus, drinking jasmine tea can have a calming influence, reducing stress and anxiety when consumed.
As its base is typically green tea, the effects of Jasmine tea are very well known. The addition of jasmine, however, does not just give it a different and very pleasant flavor but provides it with a series of other documented and potential health benefits that make consuming it truly the best of both worlds.
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Jasmine tea is not precisely tea produced from Jasmine leaves. It is camellia sinesis tea, typically of the green variety (sometimes oolong, rarely black due to its strong, overpowering flavor) to which jasmine leaves have been added for aroma and taste. It is very commonly found in Chinese markets and restaurants.
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