what is it?
Yaupon tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the yaupon (Ilex) plant, a holly tree native to southeastern North America.
Traditionally, Native Americans brewed it into a medicinal tea and made it into a "black drink" to drink during cleansing ceremonies.
Not only is Yaupon tea rich in antioxidants, it is also one of the few plants native to the United States that contains caffeine.
Yaupon tea is growing in popularity due to its mild, earthy flavor and unique health benefits. It is often used as a substitute for coffee or other types of tea.
It has also become a common ingredient in some skin care products and is even found in many moisturizers, cleansers, and serums.
Nutritional content of Yuben tea
Yaupon tea is a natural source of caffeine, with caffeine content up to nearly 2% of the dry weight of the tea.
For reference, caffeine content is approximately 76 milligrams per teaspoon (4 grams), although caffeine content can vary based on a variety of factors, and most types of yaupon tea have lower amounts.
It also contains theobromine, a compound that can improve concentration and brain function.
Additionally, yaupon tea is rich in polyphenols, which are natural compounds that act as antioxidants, reducing inflammation and preventing oxidative damage to cells.
According to some test-tube studies, yaupon tea is particularly high in the following polyphenols:
Chlorogenic acid. This compound plays a key role in metabolism and may help prevent heart disease, fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
Rutin. Rutin, found naturally in a variety of fruits, has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammation and support brain health.
Neochlorogenic acid. According to some test-tube studies, neochlorogenic acid can significantly reduce a variety of markers of inflammation.
Cryptochlorogenic acid. A test-tube and animal study found that this polyphenol can help protect insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, which may help treat diabetes.
yaupon tea health benefits
Yaupon tea may have a variety of health benefits.
In addition to the tea's impressive antioxidant content, it also contains compounds like theobromine and caffeine, which may help boost brain function and increase energy levels.
Rich in antioxidants
Yaupon tea is a great source of several powerful polyphenols, including rutin, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, and cryptochlorogenic acid.
Research shows that antioxidants can reduce inflammation and play a key role in preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Certain compounds extracted from yaupon leaves can fight free radicals and stop the growth of colon cancer cells, according to an earlier test-tube study.
Several specific polyphenols found in yaupon tea have also been shown to help reduce cancer growth and reduce inflammation in test tube and animal studies.
That said, more high-quality research is needed to determine how the antioxidants in yaupon tea affect human health.
Support brain function
Yaupon tea contains theobromine, a compound found primarily in cocoa that has been well-studied for its ability to support brain function.
An animal study found that giving rats theobromine for 73 days significantly improved working memory .
In another animal study, mice fed a diet supplemented with theobromine for 30 days showed improvements in motor learning, a process that involves acquiring new skills through repeated practice.
Additionally, other animal studies suggest that theobromine may affect levels of specific types of proteins in the brain, which may help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Further human studies are needed to evaluate whether the theobromine found in yaupon tea also affects human brain function when consumed in normal food amounts.
Increase energy and alertness
Yaupon tea is a natural source of caffeine, a stimulant commonly used to increase energy levels.
Caffeine is also sometimes used to enhance mood, increase alertness, and combat fatigue.
According to an earlier study of 27 people, consuming 50 milligrams of caffeine improved alertness and accuracy when completing tasks 60 and 90 minutes later, respectively.
What's more, when combined with 100 mg of theobromine, it improves performance while minimizing susceptibility to interference.
Potential Disadvantages of Yaupon Tea
While yaupon tea can be a delicious addition to a healthy diet, some people may need to limit their intake.
This is because yaupon tea contains caffeine, which can cause unwanted side effects in some people if consumed in large amounts.
In particular, caffeine may cause digestive problems, anxiety, irritability, changes in heart rate, increased urination, and insomnia.
In severe cases, it can also cause disorientation, heart problems, seizures, and psychosis .
It is generally recommended to limit caffeine intake to 400 mg per day, which is equivalent to about 5-7 cups of yaupon tea, depending on the caffeine content .
Meanwhile, pregnant or breastfeeding women should further limit their caffeine intake to about 200 mg per day .
People with severe anxiety, peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heart disease, or impaired liver or kidney function may also need to be cautious when consuming caffeine .
Keep in mind that human research on the effects of drinking yaupon tea in normal amounts as part of a healthy diet is very limited.
In fact, most studies on yaupon tea have evaluated the effects of concentrated amounts in test tube or animal studies.
Additionally, besides caffeine, there is little research on the safety or potential side effects of other compounds in yaupon tea.
where to find it
Yaupon tea is widely available in natural health stores and online retailers.
There are light or dark roasted loose leaf varieties available, with slightly different flavors.
In particular, dark roasts tend to be smokier and richer, while lighter roasts are nuttier and milder.
Some retailers also offer yaupon tea concentrates so you can enjoy yaupon tea quickly and conveniently at home. These are simply a concentrate mixed with water.
