Camellia sinensis, known as tea by most of the world, has been consumed for centuries as a traditional medicine. Purple tea is a natural mutant of Camellia sinensis, grown in China and Kenya, and is rich in anthocyanins and ellagitannins and is notorious for its beautiful and rare purple hue. Anthocyanins are normally widely present in tea plants, however, the highest accumulation is observed in purple tea, which is directly proportional to the intensity of its purple colour. The anthocyanin content in purple tea can be up to three times higher than that of traditional green-leaf tea. The large amounts of anthocyanins in purple tea have shown to have potential health benefits, including anti-oxidative and anti-cancer properties. This has resulted in purple tea becoming very popular in the tea market.
The purple tea plant
Purple tea characteristically has a deep purple colouration of the buds and the first three young leaves, while the fourth and fifth young leaves exhibit a lighter shade of purple. The older leaves beneath slowly change to green, resembling other green-leaf tea varieties. What is very interesting is that the degree of purple pigmentation in purple tea is intricately linked to environmental factors. During spring, the purple buds are a light purple hue, but as summer comes along, and brings increased levels of ultraviolet radiation, most of the purple tea leaves become a deeper purple colour.
Image Source: The Tea Kitchen
The chemical compositions of different tea plants are generally consistent, yet what distinguishes the various purple tea varieties is the anthocyanin levels. Purple tea has numerous varieties of anthocyanins, each imparting a distinct hue. The types of anthocyanin glycosides in tea plants vary significantly depending on the tea plant cultivar, and the content of anthocyanin glycosides also differs considerably based on the maturity level of the fresh leaves and other environmental factors. This is the reason for the differences seen in anthocyanin pigmentation in tea buds and leaves.
Health Benefits
There have been many diverse health benefits linked to anthocyanins. These benefits encompass antioxidant activity, anti-cancer properties, amelioration of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions, diabetes management, and enhancement of ocular health.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory
Anthocyanins have demonstrated pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory attributes in numerous scientific investigations. Kenyan purple tea extract (PTE) has been found to significantly increase brain glutathione (GSH) levels, indicating that PTE from Kenyan purple tea can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and enhance brain antioxidant capacity. Additionally, PTE inhibits the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an isoenzyme that is important in the inflammatory processes. Furthermore, PTE extracts can reduce the levels of several inflammatory mediators.
Metabolic Syndrome Regulation
Research on purple tea shows promising results in this area of prevention or improvement in the regulation of metabolic syndrome. Purple tea extract has been found to help control weight gain by blocking fat absorption and improving liver fat processing in both animals and humans. In studies, purple tea extract reduced weight gain, liver fat, and belly fat, while also lowering blood and liver fat levels. It also increases the production of a protein called carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) 1A, which helps burn fat. Purple tea also seems to slow down the digestion of starch and the activity of an enzyme called pancreatic α-amylase, which helps control blood sugar after meals. This effect is stronger in purple tea compared to other teas like green tea. Overall, purple tea shows promise as a natural way to help manage metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes.
Anti-Cancer
Research has shown that purple tea extract can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and increase antioxidant levels in the brain. It hinders the proliferation of various cancer cells and reduces inflammatory mediators. Purple tea's antioxidant properties may be linked to its ability to combat certain types of cancer cells. Studies suggest that purple tea extract can slow the growth of colon cancer cells and induce cell death, outperforming green tea in some cases. Additionally, it may protect against oxidative damage in cells.
Anti-diabetic effects
Type 2 diabetes is a multifactorial disease that often requires several drugs with different mechanisms of action. The most common treatment is aimed at controlling high blood sugar levels after eating a meal, with some of the most common drug targets being α-amylase and α-glucosidase found in the gastrointestinal tract mucosa. Commercial purple teas contain compounds called ellagitannins, including corilagin, strictinin, and tellimagrandin I, in higher amounts than green teas. These compounds have been found to effectively inhibit α-glucosidase, an enzyme involved in breaking down carbohydrates. Additionally, urolithin A and urolithin B, which are produced when the body metabolises ellagitannins, were as effective as metformin in increasing glucose uptake in adipocytes, muscle cells and hepatocytes. As a result, they can help cells take up glucose and reduce the accumulation of fat without causing harmful effects. This suggests that drinking green-purple teas could potentially help control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes without causing weight gain. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects.
Conclusion
The health benefits of purple tea have been explored which has unveiled its potential as a natural remedy for various ailments, including diabetes, cancer, and metabolic syndrome. Rich in anthocyanins and ellagitannins, purple tea stands out for its ornamental beauty and therapeutic properties, offering a holistic approach to wellness. However, more research is needed to further prove these health benefits as well as clarify the mechanisms of action present.
So, what is the Takeaway message?
The article discusses the findings of several studies regarding the efficacy of purple tea in disease prevention and management. These studies also showcased the ability of purple tea to regulate blood sugar levels, inhibit cancer cell growth, and improve metabolic health. The anti-diabetic effects of purple tea are also analysed in the article, attributing these effects to compounds like ellagitannins and urolithins, which aid in glucose uptake and fat reduction without harmful side effects.
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