White Tea Called Cancer Fighter

Green tea has been widely touted for its health benefits, but researchers say white tea may have stronger cancer-fighting potential. Oregon State University researchers, presenting a study at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco, also say white tea, produced mainly in China, is among the rarest and most expensive teas.

White tea is part of the same species -- Camellia sinensis -- as other tea plants, but has a higher proportion of buds to leaves. The buds are covered by silvery hairs that give the plant a white appearance.

The processing seems to make a difference in the health potential of teas. Researchers say white tea is quickly steamed and dried, leaving the leaves fresh. But green tea, made up mostly of leaves, is steamed or fired before being rolled.

The key is a class of chemicals called polyphenols. They can be destroyed by too much processing, which is how dark teas get their color and flavor. Researchers say the white tea may have higher levels of polyphenols, making it more beneficial.

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