Green tea and white tea both are the top healthy beverages originated from the same plant called Camellia Sinensis. Both have equal quantity of catechins; a type of polyphenol.
You may wonder, while they are from the same origin, do they really have any difference? Yes, they do!
This is precisely due to the variation in the type of cultivation and processing that the plant undergoes.
Let us look at these discrepancies understanding various features and benefits that differentiate the two!
Cultivation Methods
The cultivation process is the primary factor that differentiates the two beverages. The leaves of the white tea undergo harvesting at a very young age as compared to the green tea. It comes from the young leaves and buds.
While the green tea derives from the leaves that are not withered or oxidized.
For the same reason you will realize, if you compare the prices of the white tea and green tea, the green one is cheaper compared to the white.
Another principal reason for the white tea being an expensive beverage is the efforts behind its cultivation. It can be handpicked only in the early days of the spring and needs extensive care.
Processing Methods
The processing of green tea is slightly more to that of the white tea. The white tea is constantly steamed and then dried.
On the other hand, green tea is moderately fermented. It is first steamed, then fried and then rolled.
White tea undergoes the least processing compared to all other types of teas. It thus has a sweet and mild flavor compared to the green.
A general rule to prepare white tea involves boiling water at 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Steep the tea leaves for 1-5 minutes.
When the color changes from pale yellow to light orange, brew the tea and have it.
Antioxidants
Due to the difference in the treatments in processing, the antioxidants in the two differ. White tea is known to have a higher volume of antioxidants (catechins) compared to the green tea.
This is mostly because the white tea undergoes minute processing and thus is able to retain the higher quantity of antioxidants.
Though there is no difference in the type of antioxidants, their volume varies. The antioxidants, majorly the polyphenols, catechins, and flavonoids, are known to promote multiple health-boosting properties.
For example, it improves your cardiovascular health, develops low cholesterol, reduces the risk of cancer, and enhances weight loss.
Caffeine Content
The caffeine in green tea is an essential component that contributes to the weight loss in the body. Since the green tea has more content of caffeine compared to white tea, it wins over white tea in terms of burning fats of the body.
If a quantity of green tea holds 20 grams of caffeine, the white will have a proportion of 15 grams for the same amount.
Weight Loss
Weight loss? One of the prominent concerns today! Have you noticed the two points mentioned above? We realize green tea has caffeine in a better volume compared to the white tea. But on the other hand, white tea has the more volume of antioxidants.
Both contribute to burning fats in the body. Thus, depending on the body type and body requirements, both of them are effective for the weight loss.
However, white tea is also popular for its metabolism boosting properties. Generally, people prefer having these beverages after their workout for better results.
Taste
The two teas differ in terms of their taste too. The white tea has a gentle, smooth and a sweet taste compared to the green tea which is bitter in taste.
Health benefits
Green tea
According to the research by the University of Maryland Medical Centre, green tea can stop the growth of cancer cells related to varied diseases such as oesophageal, breast, stomach and prostate.
It is also successful in delivering positive results preventing high cholesterol and atherosclerosis. Both these diseases are known to build heart problems in the body. Thus, green tea is a good source to keep your heart healthy.
Furthermore, it also contributes to atherosclerosis, a process that burns fat causing weight loss.
Popular research stated in Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology in the year 2012 also concludes that the green tea can evade the bacteria causing gum diseases and promote good dental health.
White tea
When it comes to learning the health benefits of white tea consumption, it is one of the best sources of intake for cancer prevention. As per the research at Linus Pauling Institute conducted in 2000, the researchers tested four kinds of white tea on rats to analyze their benefits bout colon cancer protection.
The increased amount of catechins protect your brain health. A study conducted in 2011 at San Jorge University proved that the white tea extracts saved the rat brain cells from oxidative stress and toxicity.
Further, it was proved for humans too. It is further a perfect anti-stress solution.
It was later concluded that since white tea has more quantity of polyphenols, it is much better than green tea. This is because it mitigates the damage done to DNA, cell damage that can cause cancer.
Further, the researchers proved the below benefits on humans too.
Improved oral health
White tea elements like the polyphenols and tannins help improve our oral health. Moreover, the fluoride in the tea prevents cavities. Thus, along with health, white tea also helps with oral health.
Reduction of risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The white tea has the ability to reduce the harm of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory issue that leads to painful joints and aches.
It has the necessary antioxidants that are inversely related to the incidence of inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis. It suppresses the action of enzymes elastase and collagenase as well as the oxidants pertaining to rheumatoid arthritis.
White tea has a high level of both anti-elastase and anti-collagenase activity. Green tea, on the other hand, has lower levels of both the components.
Despite the two having originated from the same plant, they have a substantial difference in their anti-inflammatory properties.
Lowering the cholesterol
Both the teas have polyphenols which are a sort of an antioxidant. These antioxidants help fight coronary artery diseases and atherosclerosis. Green tea does hold triglyceride and cholesterol-lowering effects and can evade the risk of heart diseases.
However, the content of phenolic is more in white tea as compared to the green. In fact, these catechin derivatives help boost several other health effects.
The white tea has a Trolox or TEAC equivalent antioxidant capacity that performs the highest activity.
Improved reproductive health
Studies also show that the white tea enhances the reproductive health and fertility in men. One of the major studies that prove this is an animal study conducted in Portugal.
When the prediabetic rats were fed with white tea, they were known to avert the testicular oxidative impairments and improve the quality of sperms. A similar test conducted in 2016 also states similar results in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.
Cancer Prevention Benefits
As we saw above, both green and white tea protect against cancer. The two being no magic shields, they are just an approach to opting a lifestyle that reduces the possibilities of developing cancer.
Colon cancer treatment is quite promising. It is stated in one of the research that the white tea evades the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells.
It further saves the healthy cells of the body from DNA damage.
Studies suggest that lesser the tea is processed, more will be its antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic action.
While the antioxidants are highly related to these actions, white tea wins over green tea due to its processing and component availability.
Skin Benefits
The green tea and white tea are a perfect solution to avoid wrinkles and keep the skin glowing. This is all because of the polyphenols present in the tea.
The ECGC helps you fight with the aging properties. Since the processing required in white tea is short, it holds more quantity of the polyphenols and catechins having anti-inflammatory properties.
Moreover, its low content of caffeine keeps the skin hydrated. It improves moisture preservation in the skin.
Furthermore, it helps the cells to get freed of toxins resulting in a fairer complexion. The white tea extracts are also used to directly apply to protect the skin against UV damage.
Thus, white tea is a better choice to make if you want to get a younger look on your face and the entire skin.
Conclusion – Green Tea vs White Tea, which is better?
Both the teas have immense benefits to the body. However, they differ widely.
What should we prefer?
Green tea is definitely a strong component you may want to add to your diet. But white tea is no less. However, most of the people prefer green tea due to its standard availability and lower prices.
Comparing the two in terms of health benefits, white tea has more of antioxidants and less of caffeine. Thus, it can be a healthy choice to make.
Also note, while you buy any of the two, make sure you choose an organic product since tea plant is expected to take in the fluoride from the pesticides easily.
We cannot prove one to be better always than the other. Every compound has its own benefits. What tea is the best for you ultimately depends on your health goals and body requirements!