Ceylon Tea: Top 8 Benefits + Side Effects + How To Make

With the growing popularity of tea as an everyday beverage, most countries have made tea production a part of their economy. And so has Sri Lanka, the island country off the southern coast of India. Ceylon tea, the country’s most widely known export, is often claimed to be the cleanest tea in the world. With the least pesticide residues, and possibly the most antioxidants, Ceylon tea is sure worth a look.

Is Ceylon Tea That Good?

The tea tastes quite leafy and strong and may carry a sweet flavor as well. It is one of the richest sources of antioxidants, and it boosts immunity and heart health (1).

Ceylon green tea also contains important polyphenols, like EGCG, which attributes to its antioxidant activity (2). There are various types of Ceylon tea, all based on the altitude of the region where they are grown. These include Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, Uva, Kandy, Ruhuna, Uda Pussellawa, and Sabaragamuwa.

Ceylon tea is available in two forms – black and green. While the black tea is made of fermented leaves, the green variant is unfermented.

Given that it uses the least pesticides, Ceylon tea retains the most antioxidants and offers excellent benefits. We will look at what they are.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Ceylon Tea?

1. Can Help With Weight Loss

Studies show that Ceylon green tea may help with weight loss. The most important set of compounds in green tea happen to be catechins, especially EGCG. Participants consuming green tea had a significant reduction in their abdominal fat (3).

In another interesting study, black tea polyphenols were found to alter the gut bacteria in a way that may induce weight loss. The tea can change the ratio of intestinal bacteria by increasing the percentage of bacteria that has been associated with a leaner body (4).

2. Promotes Heart Health

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases the risk of heart disease. Studies show that intake of green or black tea can lower blood pressure levels – more so in individuals with blood pressure in prehypertensive or hypertensive ranges (5).

Intake of Ceylon green tea can improve arterial health too. A study shows that the EGCG in the tea can help prevent atherosclerosis, which is characterized by the hardening of the arteries (6).

3. Can Combat Cancer

Ceylon green tea catechins, especially EGCG, was found to play a beneficial role in the treatment of prostate hyperplasia, which is the initial stage of prostate cancer (7).

And thanks to the excellent antioxidant content, Ceylon green tea can be considered one of the best cancer-fighting foods. The polyphenols in the tea prevent the growth and proliferation of tumors in multiple forms of cancer(8).

In another study, EGCG was found to be the most potent of all green tea antioxidants for cancer treatment (9). EGCG induced cancer cell death and helped fight numerous forms of cancer.

4. Aids Diabetes Treatment

Both forms of Ceylon tea, the black and the green variants, could work great in treating diabetes (10). The teas had blood sugar lowering effects and even cut the risk of diabetic cataracts. The catechins in Ceylon green tea may also improve serum insulin levels, thereby regulating blood glucose levels (11). This can be of great help to people with diabetes.

According to another Japanese study, individuals who took 6 or more cups of green tea daily were 33% less likely to develop diabetes (10). And people who drank green tea consistently for 10 years were found to have smaller waist circumferences (12).

5. Boosts Immunity

The antioxidants in Ceylon green tea play a major role here. They act against free radicals and the resultant oxidative stress, thereby boosting immunity (13). The other polyphenols and flavonoids help boost the immune system.

Drinking Ceylon green tea can prime the body’s immune system. It teaches the disease-fighter immune cells to recognize and remember pathogens (14).

6. Can Prevent Kidney Stones

Ceylon tea may cut down the risk of kidney stones. Most kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate. They occur when calcium accumulates in the urinary tract. Studies have found that green tea extract can reduce the formation of calcium oxalate deposits (15). This reduces the risk of kidney stones.

The EGCG in Ceylon tea also plays a role here. The antioxidant action of EGCG in the tea was found to protect the cells in kidneys from toxicity due to oxalates.. This helps reduce the development of kidney stones (16).

In yet another study, green tea intake was associated with lower incidences of kidney stones, with far more pronounced effects observed in men (17).

7. May Boost Brain Health

One reason Ceylon green tea may boost brain health is the caffeine in it. Though it doesn’t contain as much caffeine as in coffee to make you feel jittery, it sure can improve your mood and alertness.

And then, we have L-theanine in the tea, an amino acid that can cross the blood-brain barrier. Studies show that in adequate levels, L-theanine can have a significant impact on mental alertness (18).

This amino acid also stimulates the activity of GABA, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that has anti-anxiety effects.

Drinking Ceylon green tea can also improve cognitive abilities in older individuals who are facing cognitive decline (19).

8. Promotes Radiant Skin

The antioxidants in Ceylon tea are the biggest reason you will have better skin. They counteract the damaging effects free radicals can have on one’s skin. And yet again, it is EGCG in Ceylon green tea that has potent therapeutic effects on the skin.

Green tea polyphenols, in general, are photoprotective. Studies show they can prevent issues due to UVB-induced sunlight, such as photoaging, melanoma, and other forms of skin cancer (20).

Powerful benefits, aren’t they? They show why Ceylon tea must be a staple in our routines.

How do you prepare Ceylon tea? What is the process?

How To Make Ceylon Tea

What You Need

• 1 teaspoon of tea leaves
• Hot water

Directions

1. Add hot water to the teapot and the cups. Tilt them around, ensuring the water covers the entire inner surface of the containers. After this, you can pour the water out. This step is used to preheat the containers.
2. Add a teaspoon of the tea leaves into the teapot for every 8 oz. of water. Ensure the temperature of the water is between 194 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Return the lid to the teapot and let the tea steep for about 3 minutes.
4. Pour the tea into the teacups and enjoy!

But no matter how beneficial the tea can be, there are a few things to keep in mind. Certain individuals may have some concerns with Ceylon tea.

What Are The Side Effects Of Ceylon Tea?

The side effects of Ceylon tea are similar to most teas, especially similar to green tea.

• May Cause Anxiety And Irregular Heartbeat

The caffeine in the tea may make your anxiety worse or even cause irregular heartbeat.

• May Cause Diarrhea And IBS

The caffeine in the tea may also cause diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome in individuals with digestive issues.

• May Aggravate Liver Issues

Ceylon green tea may aggravate liver disease. If you have signs of possible liver damage, such as dark urine, abdominal pain, and yellowing skin, please consult your doctor right away.

• May Aggravate Osteoporosis

Drinking Ceylon tea may increase the amount of calcium flushed out through urine. If you’re not taking enough calcium already, this can be a problem. Caffeine is the culprit, again. Ensure you limit your caffeine intake to less than 300 mg per day.

Conclusion

Ceylon tea is often claimed to be the cleanest tea in the world, and for a reason. It is replete with antioxidants, some of the most powerful compounds on the planet. Hence, it sure must find a place on your kitchen shelves.

Have you used Ceylon tea? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to buy Ceylon tea? What are the top brands?

You can buy the tea at your nearest supermarket or even online at Amazon. Some popular tea brands include Dilmah, Watawala, and Zesta.

How much caffeine does Ceylon tea contain?

The caffeine content in Ceylon tea varies depending on the variant. While the black variant contains 58 milligrams for every 7 ounces, Ceylon green tea contains just about half the amount for the same quantity.

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Reviewer Author

Staci GulbinMS, MEd, RD, LDN

   

Staci Gulbin is a registered dietitian, freelance writer, health editor, and founder of LighttrackNutrition.com. She has been a registered dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration since 2010 and has over a decade of experience in the nutrition and dietetics industry.

Read full bio of Staci Gulbin

Ravi Teja TadimallaSenior Editor

 

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

Read full bio of Ravi Teja Tadimalla