White Monkey Paw Green Tea
White Monkey Paw is a rare Chinese tea cultivated in the Wuyi Mountains of the Fujian province, handmade from the top two leaves and bud of the spring harvest season. The leaves are covered in a fine slivery ‘hairy down’, which indicates they were plucked very early in the morning and within the first two weeks of new season growth. These delicate leaves are then gently steamed and dried, resulting in an exquisite, antioxidant rich green tea with the visual appearance and delicate cup liquor of a white tea. The refreshingly smooth, slightly sweet flavour captivates the taste buds and is ideal for green tea newbies, whilst being equally enticing to the connoisseur. White Monkey Paw can be enjoyed hot, iced or with a few drops of honey for a whole new flavour sensation.
Health benefits
White Monkey Paw is extremely rich in antioxidants and theanine, which protect against oxidative stress (caused by an imbalance of free radicals in the body) and help to balance the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is extremely important for several major bodily functions, but exorbitant sustained elevations may influence a shift in sympathetic neurons, increasing the amount of neuropeptide Y released from peripheral sympathetic neurons, and therefore stimulating fat cell growth. Prolonged elevations in cortisol, especially in the absence of muscle building or maintaining hormones, can lead to muscle loss.
White Monkey Paw contains high concentrations of powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols, which neutralize free radicals and balance their actions. Free radicals play a dual role in the body, as both toxic and beneficial compounds, but when a system overload of free radicals occurs and antioxidant status is low, their accumulation in the body generates a phenomenon called oxidative stress. This process plays a major part in the development of chronic and degenerative illness such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, aging, arthritis, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidants such as polyphenols in green tea can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.
Green tea may help reduce inflammation associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease. Research also shows green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL ("good") cholesterol, as well as helping to control blood sugar levels, making it a potential preventative against the development of type 1 diabetes. Studies show green tea may also slow the progression of type 1 diabetes once it has developed. Green tea appears to protect the liver from the damaging effects of toxic substances such as alcohol, with clinical studies showing men who drink more than 10 cups of green tea per day, are less likely to develop liver problems. Green tea may also exert positive effects on fat metabolism at rest and during exercise, following both short and long-term intake.