10 Pu-erh Tea Benefits Based on Science

Reading time: 5 minutes

Pu-erh tea, one of the six types of tea, from the Camellia Sinensis plant, has been cherished as a healthy fermented tea full of benefits for both the palate and the body for centuries. Many pu-erh tea drinkers start their aged tea journey because pu-erh tea benefits their physical and mental health.

As the health benefits of pu-erh tea are one of the most asked topics by our Mansa Tea community, I went through clinical trial results and scientific papers to share more accurate information about the benefits. 

Now, with improved scientific methods and new technologies at the fingertips of curious academics, researchers are finding evidence to support these long-lived claims of impressive wellness boost.

Here are the top 10 health benefits of pu-erh tea based on scientific evidence. 

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1. Weight and Fat Loss

Weight loss is the most marketed and the most popular reason people drink pu-erh tea in Asia.

Studies have shown that drinking pu-erh tea regularly helps with weight loss and reduction in the Body Mass Index (BMI) by preventing the body from absorbing the fats in the diet. 

In this particular study, researchers found about a 3% reduction in total body fat when compared to the placebo group, which experienced no change. And there were no other dietary restrictions imposed on the subjects. 

Try fermented ripe pu-erh for weight loss and digestion 

2. Digestive Aid

Research has proven pu-erh tea helps digestion of fats and lipids. This is the underlying reason behind the weight loss caused by pu-erh tea. However, this also helps manage symptoms of a condition called Metabolic Syndrome.

Not only that, pu-erh tea helps balance the good, helpful bacteria in the intestine. These bacteria play an important role in maintaining the general health of the digestive system.

3. Diabetes Management and Prevention

The journal Food & Function published a study in 2015 demonstrating that pu-erh tea decreased blood sugar in vitro and in mice. This has incredible implications for those with diabetes and individuals considered “pre-diabetic,” meaning that they are at a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future. 

Try Smoky Pu-erh (2017)

4. Cardiovascular Wellness

The relationship between pu-erh tea and cholesterol is among the most popular health discussions around since regular drinking of tea has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body. A 2009 study from Experimental Gerontology demonstrated that the “bad” type of cholesterol, called LDL, was lowered in rats treated with extracts of pu-erh tea. On the other hand, “good” cholesterol (HDL) was increased. As these lipid-lowering properties are linked to reduced risk of heart disease, pu-erh can play a significant role in improving heart health.

5. Antioxidants

Like other teas, pu-erh tea is rich in antioxidants, meaning that it is capable of protecting cells against something called free radical damage and supporting our immune system. According to Mayo Clinic, free radicals may be partially responsible for the onset of serious health conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

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6. Skin Health

Pu-erh tea also protects the elastin in the skin. Progressive loss of elastin is the main cause of skin aging. One of the benefits of drinking pu-erh tea regularly is that it keeps the skin healthy by reducing the effects of sun damage.

Plus, the anti-bacterial characteristics of pu-erh tea may even be able to protect your body from harmful bacteria. While some bacteria live naturally within the body and work for good, other bacteria can cause illness and acne. For this reason, it’s possible that regularly consuming pu-erh tea (or even spritzing it on the face as part of a skincare routine) can improve acne and clear the skin.

7. Cognitive Health

A lot of scientific research has centered around the effect pu-erh tea has on the brain. Pu-erh tea keeps the brain healthy and can help manage brain-related conditions like epilepsy, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease etc.

8. Bone Health

Osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak and brittle, is a particular concern for aging women. Osteoporosis onset may result from hormonal changes commonly experienced during menopause or due to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies. Scientists in China designed an experiment to investigate whether or not pu-erh tea could protect against osteoporosis, and their results were promising.

Try Yiwu 18: nutty and floral

9. Anxiety Reduction

Over 18% of American adults feel the daily effects of anxiety disorders. Pu-erh tea contains a substance called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA, for short), which has been known within scientific and medical communities as a potential way to decrease anxiety.

10. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Some compounds found in high amounts within both raw and ripe pu-erh tea are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. A couple of these substances, including compounds called asperglaucide and neoechinulin A, are actually produced by some of the microbes involved in pu-erh’s fermentation process.

Some Precautions

Clearly, pu-erh tea is not just an enjoyable drink, but it has hidden health benefits also. Of course, if you have any of the conditions listed here, it is important to consult your physician. Let your health provider know if you’re planning on using pu-erh tea as a supplement to benefit your health or improve symptoms of a particular condition.

Try our Everyday Aged Tea

Trying It Out

When you’re ready to take the plunge and try pu-erh tea to improve your health, or if you’re simply excited to experience its smooth, complex tasting notes for the first time, it can be difficult to wade through the pu-erh on the shelves and on the web to decide on a particular selection.

If you have not yet settled on where to buy pu-erh, we recommend our Everyday Aged Tea for your everyday tea needs. This collection is of great value and meant to supplement your daily tea habit for your wellness needs.

This post is part of our Aged Tea 101 series. Sign up to get the full series!