An extract of white tea may help fight fat, according to a recent study. In lab tests on human cells, scientists found that treatment with white-tea extract thwarted the expression of genes linked to the growth of new fat cells (also known as adipocytes). White-tea extract also appeared to promote the breakdown of fat in existing adipocytes.

It's too early to tell whether white tea might make for an effective anti-obesity agent. Less processed than black or green tea, the brew has also been shown to inhibit DNA mutations (which could, in turn, help prevent cancer), improve the immune function of skin cells and shield them from the sun's harmful effects, and slow the growth of bacteria that cause Staphylococcus infections.

Since white tea is so delicate in flavor, it's important to brew it in water with a temperature of 170 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit (76 to 85 degrees Celsius), according to tea experts

-altmedicine.about.com-