Purple Tea and Its Health Benefits

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Written By Muhammad Shaban Shoukat

 

 

 

 

 

If you are a tea lover, you must have wanted your taste buds to experience a variety of tea flavors over time. Do you wish to know the health benefits of purple tea? As there are many types of tea in the present that are common let it be, herbal tea, green tea, black tea, or white tea, have you ever heard of the name purple tea? (yes, it is purple. How cool is that?) 

What is Purple Tea? 

So what exactly is purple tea and what makes it different from others? 

Like all other tea, it has also the same origin as green and black tea i.e., originating from the Camellia sinensis. 

But what makes it unique from the two is that it contains the properties of both and also it has this unique purple color which is a result of a  genetic mutation in the tea plant to stimulate a great production of anthocyanin (an antioxidant found in blueberries, pomegranate and red grapes responsible for purple pigmentation).

Origin of Purple Tea:

The beginning of the purple tea plant was first observed with the birth of the first wild mutant tea plant in the Assam tea gardens in India. It was then given to the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK) in hopes that the mutant plant may get a suitable environment there, for its healthy growth.

health benefits of Purple Tea

What does Purple Tea Taste like?

Purple tea has a similar taste to green tea yet is more refreshing and soothing with a low amount of caffeine. It has less astringency than that of green and black tea in it. It tastes sweet yet pleasant. Due to its deep purple look with a woodiest aroma and an abundance of health benefits, it is becoming a sensation throughout the globe and is in vogue recently in the world of tea. 

How to Make Purple Tea?

What makes it more desirous is its less availability. This induces a craze among people to taste this rare herb as soon as possible. If you cannot find it locally, you can get it here – ARTFULTEA

Preparation of Purple Tea is as simple as making a cup of black tea or green tea.

  • Boil a cup of water on a stove and add approximately 2 teaspoons of purple tea dry leaves.
  • Let it simmer for some minutes (around 10 minutes for a strong connection).
  • You can let your taste buds feel the awesome taste of it after that.
  • If you are more into a cold breezy drink, you can add crushed ice to it.
  • You can add honey or sugar to it to sweeten it according to your taste.

 

Medicinal Value

It has offered an unlimited medicinal value. Its leaves contain many antioxidants with different properties which are helpful for health purposes. Especially a great amount of Anthocyanin found in its leaves is responsible for helping in different health diseases.

Anthocyanin-enriched purple tea exhibits antioxidant, immunostimulatory, and anticancer activities

Health Benefits of Purple Tea: 

As its leaves contain several antioxidants higher than any other tea plant and other beneficial phytonutrients, it offers a great number of health and beauty benefits to its consumers.

The Anti-tumor property 

Anthocyanin present in its leaves is capable of destroying tumour cells in their early stages. So consuming purple tea on daily basis can help prevent cancerous diseases. 

The Anti-Diabetic Property 

A unique antioxidant polyphenol is found in its leaves which helps in reducing the glucose levels in the body and keeps them in check. So a cup or two may be taken in between meals can help regulate the blood sugar levels of diabetes patients.

Anti-aging and Anti-Obesity properties

Purple tea leaves also contain amounts of Hexahydroxydiphenoyl-β-D-glucose (GHG), an antioxidant that helps in fighting against obesity and lower the aging process.  

Inflammation 

It has more anthocyanin than even blueberries. The antioxidant, Anthocyanin in purple tea leaves has extraordinary abilities and one of them is to neutralize free radicals present in the body and thus helps in reducing cell damage (that mainly causes internal as well as external inflammation). 

So the abundance of anthocyanin in purple tea leaves not only prevents inflammation but also helps in fighting against different chronic diseases. 

Weight Loss 

An antioxidant called epigallocatechin galette (ECG) found in purple tea leaves is responsible for the metabolic process in the body. It helps in speeding up the metabolism which results in the speeding up calorie burning, thus ultimately helping in weight loss. 

 Cognitive Enhancement 

Studies have shown that its leaves contain an antioxidant that presents promising memory and enhancing effects. Its leaves have a great number of polyphenols in them which are rich in antioxidants that help in reducing the risks of neurodegenerative diseases. 

So the neuroprotective properties of purple tea make it a valuable ingredient used as a medication to give to patients who are suffering from amnesia or dementia.  

Hair and Skin 

Just like green tea, it is also considered helpful for beauty benefits. There are different products made of purple tea leaves are available such as moisturizers, shampoos, serums, and toners to make use of its amazing skin rejuvenating properties. 

The purple color itself is filled with vitamins and minerals beneficial for the skin.  Also, anthocyanin, the key ingredient in its leaves, is responsible for increasing blood circulation in the scalp, thus helping in strengthening the hair follicles. 

Side Effects

No matter what it is that is useful if it is not kept in balance, it would do harm. And then there is this huge misconception about natural or herbal things that are supposed to be completely harmless. That is never the case! 

Though Purple Tea in some cases can cause nausea or maybe stomach problems resulting in diarrhea especially when it is consumed in large quantities. But these side effects are milder than green and black tea as it contains less amount of caffeine and tannin. 

Conclusion 

Purple tea is holding so many unique qualities let it be its unique color, the higher amount of antioxidants especially anthocyanin, or fewer amounts of caffeine and tannin.

It seems like green tea has got a super rival to challenge its benefits. Not so many people like green tea or black tea because of the higher quantity of caffeine and the astringency they have. 

And now they have got a great alternative to provide them with not only its rich woodsy aroma and sweeter taste but also with endless medicinal benefits as compared to green tea or black tea.

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