Lapsang Souchong Tea – Health Benefits & Side Effects

Lapsang Souchong Tea – Health Benefits & Side Effects:

Lapsang souchong is a type of black tea that originated from the Wu Yi region of the Fujian province in China.

It is a unique type of tea due to the fact that its leaves are traditionally smoke-dried over pinewood fires, taking on a special smoky flavor. This process also results in varying intensity in the tea’s smoky taste.

Health Benefits of Lapsang Souchong tea

Reduces Free Radical Damage

This tea is a rich source of antioxidants, compounds that help prevent the damaging effects of oxidation on cells throughout your body, and are found plentiful in many plant-based foods.

The single most important benefit of antioxidants is counteracting free radical damage. Free radicals are found inside every human body and are very destructive to things such as – cells and tissues.

Furthermore, according to studies, free radicals can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, cancer, cataracts, brain dysfunction, and more. Hence, antioxidants may help maintain ideal health and well-being.

Bone Health

The tea is high in magnesium which is an essential mineral that has an important role in our metabolism. In addition, your cells use magnesium to transport potassium and calcium ions across the cell walls.

More importantly, magnesium is needed for the synthesis of RNA, DNA, and the antioxidant glutathione, and also contributes to the structural development of bones.

The other vital health benefits of magnesium include improvement of parathyroid function and relief from bronchospasm (constricted airways) in the lungs.

A deficiency in this mineral is usually diagnosed by symptoms alone, and the following symptoms can point to this – bad short-term memory, lack of appetite, sensitivities, allergies, coldness in extremities, high levels of stress, sensitivity to noise, or insomnia.

Note – according to research, around 60 percent of American adults aren’t getting the recommended daily intake for magnesium.

Lowers LDL Cholesterol Levels

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, making them narrow and hard. Over time, this “hardening of the arteries” leads to a slower circulation of blood flow to the heart.

High LDL cholesterol can also create a bile imbalance, leading to gallstones (which result in pain in the upper right abdomen). For instance, more than 80% of gallstones are cholesterol stones, according to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse.

Note – limiting the intake of saturated fat in the diet helps manage total cholesterol levels. Especially, it is helpful to avoid consuming foods which contain:

  • saturated fat (found in eggs, meat, chocolate, baked goods, dairy products, French fries, doughnuts, mayonnaise, pizza, onion rings, burritos, hamburgers, hot dogs, and deep-fried foods);
  • cholesterol (from meat, eggs, and cheese);
  • trans fats (found in some processed and fried foods);
  • vegetable oils.

Reduces Stress Levels

Millions of people in the United States have trouble sleeping due to various reasons, especially a high level of stress. This tea is a good source of L-Theanine which helps reduce stress levels.

L-Theanine, a nonessential amino acid, is a compound found in teas from Camellia sinensis (alongside green tea’s caffeine and catechins) and is known to promote mental relaxation without side effects.

Furthermore, L-Theanine has been found to increase the levels of dopamine in the human body, a chemical that is naturally present in the human brain and is released when an individual is eating, relaxing, or involved in sexual activity.

Theanine combined with caffeine produces a distinct cognitive boost without any adverse effects.

Stimulates Your Brain Power

Quercetin, a flavonoid found in vegetables, legumes, fruits, and seeds, has unique biological properties that may reduce infection risk and improve physical and mental performance.

Interestingly, in experimental studies, many medicinal plants owe much of their potent properties to their high quercetin content.

More importantly, daily consumption of foods high in quercetin improves your endurance even if you don’t practice physical exercise, according to a study by the University of South Carolina that was issued in the “International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.”

In addition, quercetin may help stabilize the cells which release histamine in the human body, hence, it has an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effect and may help protect against cancer and heart disease.

Improves Cardiovascular Health

This tea is a storehouse of theaflavins, a class of natural flavonoids (with strong antioxidant properties) derived from the dried leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis.

According to research, theaflavins protect heart cells and improve cell activities throughout your body by regulating oxidant activity.

Storage

You can store this tea in an airtight container in a low-temperature environment to preserve longevity.

Side effects of Lapsang Souchong tea

This tea contains caffeine which is most likely the most usually consumed pharmacologically active compound in the world.

Caffeine is found in products containing chocolate or cocoa, beverages (such as – tea, coffee, soft drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks), and prescription medicines.

Consuming moderate amounts of caffeine does not seem to have long-term adverse effects, however, consuming larger amounts of caffeine (more than 1000 mg per day) frequently may lead to increased episodes of heartburn, conception problems, high blood pressure, and changes in bowel habits.

Note

This tea is brewed similarly to any black tea.

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References

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/resources/heart/heart-cholesterol-hbc-what-html
https://examine.com/supplements/theaflavins/

2 thoughts on “Lapsang Souchong Tea – Health Benefits & Side Effects”

  1. Good morning, afternoon or good evening,
    How many I purchase bulk amounts of Lapsang Souchong tea. I have been using it for years. A larger supply would be beneficial.Thank you.
    Live long and prosper

    Reply
  2. My Chinese girlfriend, after having my horoscope read and after talking to a traditional doctor, recommended to me that I drink Lapsong tea because I had broken both my legs. I love the smokey flavor and my American doctor checked up on me he discovered my bad cholesterol had dropped 12 points from my last visit. I am also feeling more awake and my memory seems to have improved.

    Reply

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