White tea: strengthens immunity and can be a powerful anti-flu –

Gone are the days when tea was for grandmothers. In recent years (and even more so recently with the coronavirus), it’s become the drink of every health-conscious person. Green, for example, is well known for containing antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, as well as helping to maintain weight. But there is a cousin of the Green Tea which contains all these properties (and even more): the White tea.

It acts in our organism in the same way as its relative. The advantage is that it does all this in a more intense way, and the taste is not bitter. On the contrary, white tea is very mild. The drink goes well with the coldest time of the year, which is approaching, and can even be a potent anti-flu.

Both are extracted from Camellia sinensis. What makes white more potent is the time of harvest. Its leaves are removed very young, before they enter the oxidation process. In this phase, when they are still covered by a whitish fluff (hence the name white tea), they concentrate catechins and polyphenols in a 40% higher dose. These substances are highly antioxidant and thermogenic (capable of accelerating the rate of metabolism).

White tea and weight loss

“If white tea concentrates more thermogenic substances, it is concluded that it has a greater slimming effect”, says nutritionist Suzana Machado, from VP Nutritional Consulting, in Sao Paulo. Lucyanna Kalluf, pharmacist specialist in phytotherapy and functional nutritionist at Alpha Institute, also in São Paulo, compares: “Green tea increases the rate of metabolism by 4%, according to research published in the prestigious magazine American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, from the United States. White can accelerate by up to 8% according to clinical results.” The nutritionist added white tea (1 liter a day) to the menu of ten patients and green tea to ten other women. At the end of a month, the first group, the white tea group, lost 6 kilos (2 kilos more than the second, who lost 4 kilos).

In addition, it inhibits the enzymes responsible for binge eating and sweeps away impurities from the body. There’s more: “White tea reduces the absorption of fats from food”, says the nutritionist.

White tea and immunity

Like green, it is able to strengthen the immune system and remove free radicals (which is good for the skin). This happens, again, thanks to catechins and polyphenols (antioxidants even more powerful than vitamins C and E). Research done at the American Universities of Pace, Cleveland and Case Western Reserve reveals more about white tea:

Decreases bad cholesterol and strengthens arteries and veins, preventing cardiovascular problems;
Protects the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, as it improves the cells’ defense system against ultraviolet B rays (responsible for redness). With this, it decreases the risk of skin cancer; act like a anti-flu and anti-inflammatory;
Prevents the formation of plaque and cavities in the teeth.

But what is the best version of white tea?

Herb, sachet, capsule, ready-made or instant tea? Experts are unanimous in stating that the herb bulk (infused) is the best choice. Capsules with plant extract are also powerful, but must be prescribed by a specialist. And the industrialized versions? Depending on the brand, the product brings the concentrated extract of the herb. But it’s not always so. “Some companies put a minimum amount of white tea in the product composition. Or even just use the aroma. And that doesn’t bring any therapeutic effect”, says Andrea Frias, coordinator of the Sanavita Research Centerin Piracicaba (SP).

Is it worth how much it costs?

Ok, not everything is perfect about white tea: it weighs on the pocket. A small package costs about 20 reais, twice as much or more than the green one. The price of the organic version reaches 110 reais. The price is due to the fact that the herb is harvested manually, once a year and only for three days, and is usually imported from India, China or Japan. In addition, 80,000 Camellia sinensis shoots are needed to produce 1 kilo of tea.

How to prepare white tea

Preparation is the same as for green. Follow the same rules to preserve the herb’s benefits.

Put the water to boil and, before the first bubbles appear, turn off the heat. Add the herb (2 level tablespoons to 1 liter of water or 2 level teaspoons to 1 cup of water). Abafe for five minutes and coe; Drink hot or cold within 24 hours of preparation. After that, the active ingredients of tea lose effectiveness. Yes, it is worth preparing the necessary amount for your day. In that case, put the tea in a thermos or glass jar and take it to the fridge; The ideal is not to sweeten. But, if you prefer, use 1 teaspoon of honey for 1 cup. Avoid sugar and sweeteners so as not to harm the detoxification process; The cinnamon stick gives a special flavor to the tea. Put it in the water that will be brought to the fire.

How to include in the menu

– (THE 5TH, Unsplash/Playback)

Vary your meals however you like: eat breakfast on the first day with lunch on the second and dinner on the third, for example. Or repeat the same option several times.

Breakfast

Day 1: 1 cup of white tea + 2 wholemeal light toast with 2 col. (tea) light cream cheese and 2 col. (tea) of diet jelly.

Day 2: 1 cup (250 ml) of white tea with leaves and fruit mixed with 1 tbsp. (soup) fiber mix* + 1 scrambled egg with 1 slice of turkey breast and 1 thin slice of light white cheese.

Day 3: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + 1 slice of light whole wheat bread with 1 slice of light white cheese (or tofu).

Day 4: 1 cup (250 ml) of white tea with leaves and fruit mixed with 1 tbsp. (soup) fiber mix + 2 wholemeal toast and 2 slices of light turkey breast.

Day 5: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + 1 scrambled egg with 1 chopped turkey sausage and 1 drizzle of olive oil.

6th: 1 cup (250 ml) of white tea with leaves and fruit mixed with 1 tbsp. (soup) fiber mix + 1 pot of natural skimmed yogurt with 1 col. (dessert) dried banana (or raisins).

Day 7: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + 1 egg scrambled with 1 col. (soup) of ricotta, salt and 1 drizzle of olive oil + 1 light wholemeal toast.

Snack 1

Day 1: 1 cup of white tea + Fruit (1 slice of papaya).

Day 2: 1 cup of white tea + 2 Brazil nuts.

Day 3: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + Fruit (1 slice of melon).

Day 4: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + 1 light dry banana bar.

Day 5: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + Fruit (8 grapes italy or ruby).

6th: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + 4 almonds (without salt).

Day 7: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + 1 light prune bar.

Lunch

Day 1: 1 fillet (120 g) of grilled (or cooked) chicken + 2 col. (soup) of rice (wholegrain, preferably) with 1 small ladle of beans + 1 saucer (tea) of cooked vegetables (zucchini, carrots, green beans) + 1 plate (flat) of green salad (arugula, lettuce, chicory). Season with 1 drizzle of olive oil, salt and lemon.

Day 2: 1 fillet (120 g) of grilled (or steamed) fish + 2 col. (soup) of rice (preferably wholegrain) with 1 small ladle of lentils + 1 saucer (tea) of cooked vegetables (zucchini, carrots, green beans) + 1 plate (flat) of green salad (cabbage, lettuce).

Day 3: 1 plate (dessert) of pasta (preferably wholegrain) with diced tomato, diced buffalo mozzarella (or tofu) and 1 drizzle of olive oil + 1 saucer (tea) of steamed cauliflower and broccoli + 1 plate ( shallow) of mixed salad (arugula, bean sprouts and boiled corn).

Day 4: 1 fillet (120 g) of grilled (or steamed) fish + 2 col. (soup) of brown rice with 1 small shell of lentils (or beans) + 1 saucer (tea) of steamed pea peas seasoned with 1 col. (dessert) of olive oil.

Day 5: 3 col. (soup) of chicken braised with tomato + 2 col. (soup) of brown rice + 1 plate (flat) of mixed salad (lettuce, watercress, tomato and 1 tablespoon of chickpeas).

6th: 1 fillet (120 g) of lean grilled meat + 1 medium potato roasted with dried herbs (oregano, rosemary) and 1 drizzle of olive oil + 1 plate (flat) of mixed salad (escarole, grated carrot, tomato and boiled green beans).

Day 7: 5 col. (soup) of rice (preferably wholegrain) with broccoli, corn, peas and shredded chicken breast + 1 plate (flat) of green salad (arugula, watercress and iceberg lettuce).

Snack 2

Day 1: 1 cup of white tea + 3 sprinkle cookies.

Day 2: 1 cup (tea) of white tea + 3 crackers of water and salt (without trans fat).

Day 3: 1 cup. (tea) white tea + 2 whole cream cracker cookies (no trans fat).

Day 4: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + 1 wholemeal toast with diet jelly.

Day 5: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + 1 light cereal bar (or seeds).

6th: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + 1 bar of seeds (sesame) light.

Day 7: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + 1 light toast with 1 col. (dessert) of diet jelly.

Snack 3

Day 1: 1 cup of white tea + Fruit (1 apple).

Day 2: 1 cup of white tea + fruit (1 orange).

Day 3: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + Fruit (1 slice of pineapple).

Day 4: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + Fruit (1 pear).

Day 5: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + Fruit (1 tangerine).

6th: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + Fruit (10 strawberries).

Day 7: 1 cup. (tea) of white tea + Fruit (1 slice of watermelon).

To have lunch

Day 1: 1 dish (bottom) of detox soup + 1 dish (flat) of green salad (watercress, lettuce) with 1 tbsp. (soup) of light tuna.

Day 2: 1 fillet (120 g) of grilled chicken + 1 plate (flat) of mixed salad (lettuce, heart of palm and tomato).

Day 3: 1 plate (deep) of pea soup (or vegetables) + 1 plate (flat) of colored salad (lettuce, ½ grated carrot, ½ grated beetroot and 1 tbsp light tuna soup).

Day 4: 2 boiled eggs + 1 plate (flat) of mixed salad (lettuce, cucumber and radish).

Day 5: 1 dish (bottom) of detox soup + 1 grilled turkey breast burger.

6th: 1 grilled fish fillet + 1 plate (flat) of mixed salad (lettuce, tomato and cubes of eggplant roasted with garlic, 1 drizzle of olive oil and oregano).

Day 7: 1 grilled chicken (or soy) burger + 1 plate (dessert) of cauliflower and steamed broccoli + 1 plate (flat) of mixed salad (lettuce, cabbage and tomato).