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Are green tea and black tea the same?

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When we say ‘tea’ we are referring to a drink that come from the tea plant known as Camellia sinesis.  Actually, green tea, black tea, oolong tea, and white tea are all from the same plant.  However, that’s where the similarity ends.  The difference is in how they are harvested, prepared, and what antioxidants are in them.  The color of the tea can be an indicator to the type of tea you are drinking as well as indicate the type of antioxidants that are in them.

  • Green Tea – High in the antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate).  Of all the antioxidants in tea, EGCG is the most commonly researched green tea antioxidant (i.e. polyphenol).
  • Black Tea – Contain the antioxidants Theaflavins and Therubigins.  Unlike Green Tea, black tea is oxidized during the harvesting process which gives it a different set of antioxidants.
  • Oolong Tea – Considered somewhere between green tea and black tea.
  • White Tea – Of all the teas, White Tea is considered the least processed and to contain the most antioxidants.  It is also the most expensive!

teaAll of these teas are good for health promotion and are a great alternative to unhealthy drinks. Just think, next to water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world and has been the subject of health promotion research for decades.  Another consideration is that taking some time to drink tea can allow you some much needed time to slow down.

In addition to the known health benefits of tea there are immeasurable benefits in taking that time to recharge.  If tea is not a part of your daily routine, now is a great time to start!

To answer the original question ‘Are black tea and green tea the same?’  Yes and no.  Yes, they are from the same plant, but the antioxidants are different.

Jeremy Johnson, PharmD, PhD
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Categories: Antioxidant