Can White Tea Help to Prevent the Flu?

As the temperatures drop and people spend more time indoors, your chance of catching a cold or the flu rises significantly. Although there are a variety of things you can do to reduce your risk of developing a viral infection such as frequent hand washing, there’s one you may not have considered. Warding off winter illness could be as simple as sipping a cup of hot and delicious white tea. It’s just one of the many reasons you’ll want to drink white tea this winter.

Can white tea really help ward off colds and flu? Some studies have shown white tea has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties which could make it an inexpensive line of defense against the flu bugs that circulate during the winter months. One study carried out at Pace University demonstrated white tea’s ability to stop the growth of common bacteria that cause infection. Although colds and flu are caused by viruses as opposed to bacteria, there’s increasing evidence that white tea is effective against viruses too. Although more research is needed to clearly define the role of white tea in preventing colds and flu, there are few drawbacks to drinking white tea as an inexpensive insurance policy against winter illness.

One problem when considering whether to drink white tea to prevent infection is how much is needed? This isn’t an easy question to answer. The study carried out at Pace University used a white tea extract which makes it difficult to translate into actual white tea consumption. In general, the health benefits of green and white teas have been seen with daily intake of five cups or more, although a few studies have shown health benefits from only two or three cups per day. It’s likely the more you drink the better in terms of cold and flu protection. The only limiting factor may be the caffeine which, fortunately, with white tea is fairly low at around twenty milligrams per serving.

Is it more effective to drink white tea or is green tea just as good? Although green tea has been shown to stimulate the immune system, it doesn’t appear to have the same degree of anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity as white tea. White tea has also shown the capacity to defend against fungal infections.

In addition to its health benefits, to drink tea a hot, steaming cup of white tea on a frosty day is the ultimate in luxury. It’s a great beverage to enjoy while relaxing by the window watching the snow fall against your window pane. Be sure to stock up on white tea this winter.