Today we're talking about a very special black tea, it's called Fuzhuan brick tea and it's a drink that, based on very recent scientific studies, fights obesity, fatty liver, diabetes, free radical damage and even premature graying of the hair. In short, it is really worth investigating the properties of this tea! The results of the scientific studies we will discuss today can be consulted online and have been published in the journal Food Chemistry by a Korean team (Yoo et al, Food Chemistry, 2022) and in the journal Antioxidants, again by a group of Korean scientists (Zhao et al, Antioxidants, 2022).
Fuzhuan brick tea, what it is and properties
Fuzhuan brick tea is a black tea and is obtained, like all other types of tea, black, green or white, from the Camellia sinensis plant. What characterizes it is the fermentation process to which the tea is subjected after harvesting. Fermentation, in fact, takes place by a fungus, called Eurotium Cristatum, or golden flower, which allows the tea to develop a unique aroma and properties. The tea is then pressed to form the characteristic brick, hence the name of brick tea. In recent years science has been increasing its interest in this very special black tea, so let's see what has emerged from two very recent researches.
Fuzhuan brick tea against obesity, diabetes and fatty liver
The first research analyzed the anti-obesity properties of black tea. The study took place in the laboratory on a population of mice, all fed a high-fat diet. Some of the mice were also offered Fuzhuan brick tea. After three months, the mice that had also taken the black tea had a significant reduction in body weight and fat mass compared to those who had not taken the tea. Not only that, Fuzhuan brick tea has also made it possible to improve blood sugar, the level of circulating lipids and to counteract fatty liver, or hepatic steatosis. Scientists have also succeeded in explaining the anti-obesity properties of Fuzhuan brick tea, noting that this drink is able to increase the energy expenditure of the body. Not only that, this tea supports and protects the good bacteria of the intestinal microbiota on which the health of the entire body depends.
Fuzhuan brick tea against premature graying of hair
The second research tested what happens to the level of melanin production in the hair following the intake of Fuzhuan brick tea. This tea has a strong antioxidant action and therefore scientists have hypothesized that it can stimulate the synthesis of melanin, the pigment that gives color to hair. This pigment can lose its function and decreases due to an unbalanced diet, some illnesses and excess free radicals, caused by pollution, stress and advancing age. The consequence is that the hair turns grey, losing its original colour. Well, as research has been able to demonstrate, Fuzhuan brick tea is able to stimulate the production of melanin, inhibiting the action of free radicals and at the same time promoting the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme, which plays an essential role in the formation of melanin.
Conclusions
Fuzhuan brick tea is therefore a candidate to be a true long-life drink, capable of counteracting aging processes, protecting the heart, liver and inhibiting the accumulation of body fat. Finally, this tea has a powerful rejuvenating action thanks to its antioxidant content, which is also capable of counteracting premature graying of the hair caused by an excess of free radicals. Fuzhuan brick tea is prepared by infusing it in boiling water for 5 minutes, like any other black tea. This tea can be found in specialty shops and online.
