White Tea
White, green and black tea all come from the same plant - camellia sinensis. The difference lies in the harvesting and processing. White tea is harvested early and is the least processed of all the teas. For this reason it may contain the highest concentrations of catechins and polyphenols, the antioxidants that give tea its wide range of natural health benefits. These antioxidants defend the body from the production of cell-damaging free radicals.

Recent studies show that white tea's benefits include overall anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects. In particular, white tea has been shown to help prevent the development of colon cancer. Those with arthritis or other inflammatory disorders may benefit from drinking white tea. In 2004, a study at Pace University showed that white tea can stimulate the immune system, and that it actually has more anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities than green tea.

Other studies show that white tea may have insulin-enhancing effects, making it good for preventing or managing diabetes. And as if all this weren't enough, white tea can also fight fatigue, prevent tooth decay, improve bone density in the elderly, and assist in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.