Pu-er - Everything you need to know

You've probably heard of true teas like green, white and oolong, which are produced from the Camellia sinensis plant, but you may not have heard of pu-erh tea. It comes from the same plant and boasts numerous health benefits. It is these that we will look at in this article on"mybiopedia.com"

Where does pu-erh tea come from?

Historical records indicate that pu-erh tea in its compressed form emerged during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 ) thanks to the flourishing trade with Tibet. Pu-erh tea is naturally fermented and has been revered for centuries in traditional tea societies in Asia thanks to its high concentration of polyphenols, catechins and flavonoids.

Pu-erh tea is the most oxidised type of tea and like fine wine, this tea gets better with time and takes on a milder flavour the longer it is aged. Some of the rarest and most expensive Pu-erh teas are aged for more than 50 years.

This herb is found under different varieties of black and green tea.

It is characterized by its slightly sweet taste and its aroma is reminiscent of the scent of autumn leaves. Pu-erh tea contains caffeine and is often consumed in the morning or early afternoon to boost energy levels. Apart from keeping people cheerful, the herb has numerous health benefits for humans. Read the article till the end to find out what they are.

1. Increases productivity

Thanks to the caffeine contained in pu-erh tea, drinking one cup daily can help you boost your energy levels and focus.

One cup of Pu-erh tea contains about 60-70 milligrams of caffeine compared to 105 milligrams in a standard cup of coffee. This makes pu-erh tea a good choice for people who are too jittery after just one cup of coffee.

Caffeine can help improve mental focus and give you the extra boost you need to get through tough afternoons.

2. Helps heart health

By drinking one cup of pu-erh tea a day, you can reduce your risk of heart disease while enjoying a delicious and soothing beverage. Pu-erh tea helps prevent heart disease as it helps produce lovastatin.

This natural statin is commonly used to treat high cholesterol. A Chinese study shows that pu-erh tea can help reduce bad cholesterol, also known as LDL cholesterol, and prevent obesity-related diseases.

At the same time, pu-erh tea increases good cholesterol, known as HDL cholesterol. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

3. Cleanses toxins and free radicals

Pu-erh tea uses its oxidizing properties to deliver an increased amount of oxygen, which improves circulation and blood flow. By delivering more oxygen to the brain, this herb helps fight headaches and migraines and reduces free radicals that can cause serious diseases.

In traditional Chinese medicine, pu-erh tea is used to assist the spleen and stomach in filtering toxins in the body. Pu-erh tea contains simple sugars and microorganisms that help the spleen cleanse the blood and remove free radicals

You can consume it daily to enjoy permanent effects, or use it periodically as a cleanser to restore your body's basic functions.

4. Prevents the appearance of cancer cells

Studies have shown that constant consumption of pu-erh tea can tackle cancer and prevent the growth of new cancer cells.

A study conducted by Kunming University of Science and Technology demonstrated the ability of Pu-erh tea's ingredients to target specific tumor cells with minimal side effects.

According to another study, Pu-erh tea has the ability to prevent cancer cell growth by inhibiting cell proliferation.

5. Helps to reduce weight

Pu-erh tea improves digestion and can help relieve symptoms of constipation thanks to the presence of lovastatin in these tea leaves. The antioxidants and polyphenols in pu-erh tea also aid digestion and fat breakdown.

Studies have shown that pu-erh tea can help you lose weight when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. The herb inhibits fatty acid synthesis, which can help your body stop producing more fat.

This doesn't just mean you can eat a high-fat diet, drink pu-erh tea, and lose weight. To lose weight, you need to exercise regularly and eat healthy.

Pu-erh tea also stimulates the body to produce the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which reduce fatty acid stores.

Drink a cup of Pu-erh tea after meals once or twice a day to reap the health benefits that support weight loss.

6. Reduces stress

Although Pu-erh tea contains caffeine, it doesn't mean that it will make you feel jittery. In fact, this herb can help reduce stress and its inflammatory properties help relax when you are experiencing mild pain.

Pu-erh tea contains the phytochemicals GABA and theanine, which are attributed to lower stress levels. These phytochemicals increase the production of melatonin, which can help for better sleep and a more relaxed demeanor throughout the day.