Orange pekoe is a variety of tea believed to be named after the royal Dutch House of Orange. It has no connection to the orange fruit. Once the tea is brewed, the color is revived and a golden orange tinge is noticeable. Despite the color, it is a type of black tea with remarkable health benefits. The best quality of high mountain grown black tea leaves have a rich aroma and a unique flavor. Originally from China, these tea varieties are mainly grown in the mountains of Sri Lanka and India.
Benefits Of Orange Pekoe Tea
If beauty is your cup of tea, then you must consume orange pekoe tea. This tea can prevent skin aging and reduce fine lines around the eyes. When compared with green tea, orange pekoe tea contains more antioxidant properties. Like other varieties of black tea, orange pekoe tea also provides a range of health benefits.
1. High In Antioxidants
Antioxidants are crucial to prevent damage from unstable free radical molecules and keep the body healthy at a cellular level. Orange pekoe tea is rich in compounds called flavonoids, which contain antioxidant properties that reduce the risk of heart diseases and cancer. As free radical damage occurs due to our lifestyle and food habits, drinking a few cups of this tea can reduce the risk of deadly diseases.1
2. Helps Prevent Cancer
The high levels of antioxidants present in orange pekoe tea may help fight and even prevent cancer. Many studies have been conducted to analyze the chemopreventive properties of black tea. The polyphenols found in tea contain a particular compound called TF-2 that can slow the growth of cancerous cells. Antioxidants are crucial to prevent damage to cellular DNA to ensure that no mutations are replicated and new healthy cells are formed.2
3. Inhibits Bacteria Growth
The antimicrobial properties of orange pekoe tea are effective in combating various bacteria such as E. coli, Shigella dysenteriae and multiple strains of Salmonella. It was observed that this tea complemented the effects of antibiotics when working against common intestinal infections.
Another study noted that black tea is just as effective as green tea when it comes to fighting microbial infections. This tea not only fights harmful bacteria but also slows its growth and prevents oral infections such as strep throat and dental cavities.
4. Improves Heart Health
Various pharmacological effects on the cardiovascular system have been reported for orange pekoe tea that includes anti-oxidative, anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic activities. The study concluded that orange pekoe tea extracts may have the potential to prevent and protect against cardiovascular disease.3
Another study found that regular consumption of black teas including orange pekoe varieties reversed a condition called endothelial dysfunction, which is one of the factors that cause heart disease. Moreover, polyphenol and flavonoid compounds present in this tea may help in reducing the overall risk of death from heart disease.
Orange pekoe tea helps in maintaining the cholesterol levels and the blood sugar levels. It serves as an anti-coagulant and helps in the thinning of blood, which improves the blood circulation throughout the body. Also, it purifies the blood by removing the toxins.
5. Prevents Inflammation
Orange pekoe tea also contains a particular polyphenol compound called TF-2, which can help combat and prevent the growth of cancer causing cells. This compound is effective in preventing inflammation too. COX-2 is one of the many pain pathways that are responsible for causing inflammation in the body, and drinking orange pekoe tea can effectively block COX-2 signaling.
Since inflammation constantly alerts the immune system, it is thought to be the cause of many degenerative diseases. Drinking orange pekoe tea is a natural method to reduce inflammation and keep the body healthy.
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