Wu-long Tea promises quick weight loss, reduced risk of cancer, and even clear skin and bright, shiny teeth. The ads even claim Oprah endorses their products. Is this really the miracle beverage they claim? We've received quite a few inquiries about Wu-Long tea, which is advertised as a Slimming Tea. There are a lot of websites that sell wu-long, such as Wu-Long for Life. The sellers claim the tea will result in quick weight loss, and every seller claims to be the "official" seller of this original and rare tea. We are warned not to buy imitations. Does it work?
What is wu-long tea? You've probably heard of black tea, green tea, and white tea. They all come from the same plant, but the color refers to the level of fermentation or processing of the leaves. There is a fourth class of tea called oolong tea, and that is all that wu-long tea is. It's just another spelling for oolong. It is extremely common and isn't rare, and it isn't limited to certain sellers. Ok, so what exactly is oolong tea? This refers to a classification or level of fermentation. Green teas are not fermented, while black teas are fermented. Oolong teas are semi-fermented, meaning they are allowed to slightly ferment, then they are processed to stop the fermentation. As a result, you have something between a green and a black tea.
Is it slimming? We've all heard the warnings about "slimming" teas. This usually refers to a different product. Most slimming teas contain laxatives such as senna, or diuretics. They can be extremely dangerous and should be avoided. Sellers of pure wu-long tea advertise it as a slimming tea because they claim it can help you lose weight by burning more calories. If you decide to purchase a tea that includes the word "slimming" in the description, make sure you read the label very carefully. If it contains any ingredients other than plain tea, you may get sick.
We recently reported that the claims of green tea for weight loss were a bit exaggerated. The studies show that if you drink 4 cups of green tea every single day, you can lose up to 8 pounds over the course of a year. The sellers of wu-long tea claim their tea burns more calories than green tea. The studies we reviewed showed that oolong burned more, less, or the same amount of calories as green tea. The results varied quite a bit, so it appears to be based on the individual. You should always focus on a healthy diet and exercise program for weight loss. It's guaranteed. If you want to add something to your routine that should be safe, a natural and pure tea is definitely a better option than other weight loss products. Who knows, it might even help! The weight loss results may vary, but tea contains plenty of anti-oxidants to help reduce your risks of cancer and other diseases. Drink it hot or serve over ice with a little mint and Splenda for a calorie-free Southern style treat!
The Oprah Connection
If you google wu-long tea, you'll find loads of tea merchants claiming Oprah endorses their products. Not quite. Oprah and other celebrities have mentioned drinking tea, both green and oolong varieties. This doesn't mean they have ever purchased Wu-Long for Life or other brands. Ignore the claims. Oprah won't mind.
What should you look for? So, you are willing to search for this rare and delicate tea just in case it might work for you. Luckily, it's not rare at all and can be purchased from any tea shop and most supermarkets. You can order the wu-long slimming tea that is heavily advertised online, but it is rather costly at $70 per 60 tea bags. Another consideration is the variety of oolong that you purchase. Oolong (wu-long) refers to the level of fermentation of the tea plant. There are many varieties of tea plants that have unique flavors. You may want to try several to find one you are happy with. We love Adagio.com and they offer an oolong sampler pack that lets you try several varieties of high-quality oolong teas.
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