Studies suggest oolong tea can help your immune system, which will be beneficial to help prevent illness and diseases. There is no question that the disease making headlines recently is the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the virus known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A vaccine to combat that virus has not been released at this time. Although a vaccine is not currently available, science has shown that a healthy immune system may help prevent respiratory diseases. Drinking oolong tea may be a simple way to help maintain a healthy immune system to help fight off respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses such as the rhinovirus that causes the common cold and influenza viruses that cause the flu.
Your immune system can get a boost from several antioxidants such as polyphenols (also known as catechins), which are found in oolong tea. Oolong tea contains the polyphenols epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Among these polyphenols, research suggests that ECGC promotes immunity by stimulating the activity of the white blood cells called macrophages, which engulf (eat) the pathogens.
Based on these studies, the antioxidants in oolong tea appear to benefit the immune system. Having a healthy immune system is undoubtedly one way to help fight SARS-CoV-2 to prevent COVID-19. These impressive health benefits are reasons to drink oolong tea in addition to the variety of flavors. We would love to hear your stories about how oolong tea has improved your health!