Pu-erh tea: A review of a healthful brew

Abstract

Pu-erh tea has been used for thousands of years to treat metabolic diseases. Recognized in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic, a compendium kept by the first traditional Chinese practitioners, it is still highly valued for its hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects. This review reports the processing and bioactive components of pu-erh tea. Recent human and animal studies of pu-erh tea and its potential therapeutic mechanisms have also been summarized. The interaction of liver and gut microbiome regulates the pu-erh tea biotransformation and endogenous metabolism, and thus contributes to the health benefits.

Keywords

• Pu-erh tea
• Theabrownin
• Gut microbiome
• Hypocholesterolemic effects
• Hypolipidemic effects