Sheng (raw) Pu'er Tea is made by naturally aging freshly picked tea leaves, a product of sun-dried tea that has not undergone the process of wet-piling fermentation. It is characterized by its bitterness that turns into a sweet aftertaste and its astringency that lingers, creating an endless charm. While much discussion often surrounds the benefits of ripe Pu'er tea, let's take a closer look at the wonders of raw Pu'er:

1. The Anti-Aging Secret of Beauties

Sheng Pu'er tea shares many similarities with Green Tea, notably its antioxidant properties. In the minds of most people, antioxidants are synonymous with anti-aging. But what causes aging in the first place? It's all down to free radicals. The oxygen we inhale combines with fats and sugars in our bodies to produce energy, which fuels our daily activities.

However, during this process, a small portion of oxygen transforms into free radicals, also known as oxidants. Remember from junior high chemistry that these can cause metals to rust? Imagine these free radicals running rampant through your body over time, causing it to “rust.” Sheng Pu'er tea acts like a law enforcer, using its effective chemical components and various vitamins to neutralize these pesky free radicals. Among its powerful weapons are polyphenols, caffeine, vitamin C, aromatic compounds, and polysaccharides, which help strengthen heart muscle activity and blood vessel elasticity, preventing your body's “pipes” from rusting and ensuring smooth detoxification, thus delaying the aging process.

A healthy body leads to radiant skin, and the anti-aging factors released by the polyphenols in Sheng Pu'er tea are even 18 times more potent than vitamin E.

2. The Secret Weapon for Bright Eyes and Healthy Teeth

In this era of smart devices, has scrolling through your smartphone become a daily routine? Add to that the constant use of various tablets and computers, and your eyes must be constantly immersed in a sea of electronic screens. Poor eyes that were once bright and sparkling have gradually turned into dry lakes. Here, Sheng Pu'er tea comes to your rescue. The abundant vitamin C and carotene in tea can reduce the opacity of the eye lens, reducing eye diseases and providing excellent treatment for cataracts. According to surveys, among patients with cataracts, only 28.6% had a habit of Drinking Tea, while a staggering 71.4% did not.

For those who spend a lot of time looking down at screens, try brewing 5 grams of Sheng Pu'er tea with 10 grams each of mulberry leaves and white Chrysanthemum flowers, then steeping them in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drinking two cups daily can help clear the liver and improve vision, alleviating eye fatigue.

Sheng Pu'er tea is an alkaline beverage that can effectively regulate the body's acid-base balance and inhibit calcium loss, which is crucial for maintaining dental health, as teeth rely on calcium for strength. Additionally, tea contains a high level of fluoride, about 80% of which is water-soluble, making regular consumption of Sheng Pu'er tea an effective way to prevent tooth decay. In experiments where schoolchildren rinsed their mouths with tea after meals, the incidence of tooth decay decreased by 80%. Clear eyes and strong teeth can both be found in a cup of tea.

3. A Natural Supplement for Fitness Enthusiasts

As a fitness enthusiast myself, my shelves are filled with protein powders, CLA, L-carnitine, and fat burners, all of which need to be taken at different times and in different orders, causing me considerable headache. I learned that drinking Sheng Pu'er tea, rich in catechins, before exercise can increase fat burning by 17% and enhance endurance. I conducted a comparative experiment myself. Thirty minutes before aerobic exercise, I drank Sheng Pu'er tea and then began long-distance running. During the run, my heart rate did not abnormally increase due to the stimulating effects of the tea, and it was indeed effective in alleviating the fatigue associated with endurance exercises. After running 8 kilometers, I still felt energetic, and my muscles were easy to stretch without stiffness or soreness. The results were comparable to those of fat burners.

Upon analyzing the ingredients in commercial fat burners, I discovered that they also contain catechins and caffeine, elements readily available in Sheng Pu'er tea. Since then, I've stopped spending large sums on imported fat burners and instead increased my consumption of Sheng Pu'er tea. As for fat loss, whether it's Sheng Pu'er tea or fat burners, both require accompanying exercise. The more you move, the greater the effect, leading to more fat burning.

For those in the muscle-building phase, there's no need to avoid Sheng Pu'er tea. Controlling body fat is essential during this period; otherwise, fat and muscle grow together, making it difficult to achieve the desired definition. The diet during the muscle-building phase is primarily high in protein, placing significant burdens on the digestive system, liver, and kidneys. Drinking moderate amounts of Sheng Pu'er tea can aid digestion and support liver health due to its cooling and detoxifying properties. Whether you're engaging in aerobic or strength training, a cup of Sheng Pu'er tea is always a good choice.

4. Popeye's “Can of Spinach”

Popeye, the sailor man who gained superhuman strength after eating spinach, is a collective childhood memory. With the help of spinach, Popeye became full of energy, easily defeating the brute Bluto. Similarly, Sheng Pu'er tea is our “can of spinach” when we're feeling fatigued, providing us with renewed energy and vigor. High-pressure groups like office workers are often subjected to the stresses of overtime, late nights, quotas, and projects. To avoid becoming a sluggish employee, Coffee becomes a constant companion for white-collar workers.

Coffee does stimulate the central nervous system, making you feel more alert. However, coffee contains some fats, which contribute to its aroma, and if you add milk and sugar, the caloric intake significantly increases. Especially for women, excessive coffee consumption can lead to osteoporosis. If you want to stay alert and combat fatigue, why limit yourself to coffee?

Sheng Pu'er tea also contains caffeine, which can enhance cerebral cortex excitement and secrete hormones that counteract stress and tension. It increases the filtration rate of the kidneys, expelling excess lactic acid and other harmful substances through urine, instantly relieving fatigue. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition points out that polyphenolic compounds such as EGCG in teas like Sheng Pu'er and green tea can accelerate blood circulation, clarify brain function, and help reduce the degradation of neurotransmitters like dopamine and adrenaline in the brain. For someone feeling drowsy, this is undoubtedly a shot of adrenaline. Furthermore, Sheng Pu'er tea is low in calories and less stimulating to the body, much like Popeye's “can of spinach,” natural and healthy, yet energizing and invigorating.

5. A Top-Tier Product for Disease Prevention and Cancer Fighting

Japanese people have one of the longest average lifespans globally. Scientists attribute this to their diet, rich in green tea, soybeans, and deep-sea fish. Among these, the polyphenolic compounds in green tea play a significant role in fighting cellular mutation. They can effectively block the synthesis of carcinogenic substances like nitrosamines in the body and directly eliminate cancer cells, offering great benefits in the prevention and auxiliary treatment of various cancers, including stomach and colon cancer. Sheng Pu'er tea also possesses these cancer-fighting properties.