# Dongding Oolong Tea (Camellia sinensis 'Dongding')

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/dongding-oolong-tea
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-31
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Tea Cultivars
**Also Known As:** Camellia sinensis 'Dongding', Dong Ding Oolong, Tung-ting Oolong, Frozen Summit Oolong, Taiwan Dongding Tea, Nantou Dongding Oolong, Dongding Wulong, 凍頂烏龍茶

## Overview

Dongding Oolong Tea contains teaghrelins that may function as ghrelin receptor agonists, potentially influencing appetite regulation and metabolic processes. This traditional Taiwanese cultivar is particularly rich in catechins like EGCG and flavonoid glycosides that provide [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant).

## Health Benefits

• Contains teaghrelins that may act as ghrelin receptor agonists based on molecular modeling (evidence quality: preliminary/theoretical)
• Rich in catechins including EGCG with general [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) properties (evidence quality: compositional analysis only)
• Contains flavonoid glycosides and hydrolyzable tannins like strictinin (evidence quality: chemical characterization only)
• Provides quercetin rutinoside and other flavonols (evidence quality: analytical data only)
• Contains procyanidins and other proanthocyanidins (evidence quality: compositional analysis only)

## Mechanism of Action

Dongding Oolong's teaghrelins appear to interact with ghrelin receptors (GHSR1a) based on molecular modeling studies, potentially modulating appetite and energy homeostasis pathways. The abundant catechins, particularly EGCG, scavenge free radicals and may inhibit lipid peroxidation through their phenolic hydroxyl groups. Flavonoid glycosides contribute additional antioxidant capacity by donating electrons to neutralize [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant).

## Clinical Summary

Current evidence for Dongding Oolong Tea is limited to preliminary molecular modeling studies and compositional analyses. The teaghrelins' ghrelin receptor agonist activity remains theoretical, supported only by computational docking studies rather than clinical trials. [Antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) properties are documented through laboratory assays measuring catechin and flavonoid content, but human studies demonstrating clinical outcomes are lacking. More research is needed to validate the therapeutic potential suggested by these early findings.

## Nutritional Profile

Dongding Oolong is a partially oxidized (15–30%) tea from the Dongding cultivar grown primarily in Lugu Township, Nantou County, Taiwan. As a brewed infusion (per 240 mL/8 oz serving, typical 3 g leaf steeped 3–5 min): Calories: ~2 kcal; Protein: ~0.5 g; Fat: negligible; Carbohydrates: ~0.3 g; Fiber: negligible in infusion. **Caffeine:** ~30–50 mg per cup (intermediate between green and black tea due to partial oxidation). **Catechins & Polyphenols:** Total polyphenol content approximately 80–150 mg per cup. Key catechins include epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, ~10–30 mg, reduced relative to green tea due to partial oxidation), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epicatechin (EC). Partial oxidation generates theaflavins (~2–8 mg) and theasinensins not found in unoxidized teas. **Flavonoid glycosides:** Quercetin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (rutin) present at ~1–5 mg per cup; kaempferol glycosides in trace amounts. Free quercetin aglycone at ~0.5–2 mg. Bioavailability of quercetin glycosides is moderate (~20–50% absorption), superior to aglycone form. **Hydrolyzable tannins:** Strictinin (an ellagitannin) identified as a characteristic compound, estimated ~3–10 mg per cup; also contains 1,4,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranose. **Teaghrelins:** Unique acylated flavonoid glycosides (teaghrelin 1–4) identified in oolong teas at trace levels (μg range per cup); structurally modeled as potential ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonists but in vivo bioactivity and bioavailability remain unconfirmed. **L-Theanine:** ~8–20 mg per cup, an amino acid unique to tea with documented anxiolytic and attention-modulating effects; bioavailability is high (crosses blood-brain barrier). **Minerals (per cup):** Manganese ~0.4–0.5 mg (~20% DV), Potassium ~20–30 mg, Fluoride ~0.1–0.3 mg, Magnesium ~2–5 mg, trace Zinc and Chromium. **Vitamins:** Negligible amounts of B vitamins (B2 ~0.01 mg, folate trace); Vitamin C largely destroyed during oxidation and roasting. **Volatile/aroma compounds:** Characteristic roasted Dongding profile includes nerolidol, geraniol, indole, linalool, and methyl salicylate contributing to the distinctive floral-roasted character; these may have minor [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) bioactivity at consumed doses. **Roasting effects:** The traditional medium-to-heavy roasting of Dongding oolong induces Maillard reaction products and reduces total catechin content by ~20–40% compared to lightly oxidized oolongs, while increasing pyrroles and furanones. Heavily roasted batches may have lower EGCG but higher melanoidin content with potential prebiotic and [antioxidant activity](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant). **Bioavailability notes:** EGCG bioavailability is low (~2–5% oral absorption), improved slightly when consumed on an empty stomach or with vitamin C co-ingestion; catechins are subject to extensive first-pass [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management). Theaflavins have similarly low systemic bioavailability but may exert local GI tract effects. The partially oxidized, polymerized polyphenols unique to oolong may have distinct [gut microbiome](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) interactions compared to green or black tea polyphenols.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available. Traditional brewing uses 1 g tea per 20 mL boiling water steeped for 10 minutes. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Dongding Oolong Tea is generally safe when consumed in typical amounts (2-3 cups daily), but contains 30-50mg caffeine per cup which may cause [insomnia](/ingredients/condition/sleep) or anxiety in sensitive individuals. The tea may reduce iron absorption due to tannin content and could interact with blood-thinning medications through its vitamin K content. Pregnant women should limit intake to 200mg caffeine daily total from all sources. Those with gastroesophageal reflux may experience symptom worsening due to caffeine's effect on lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses specific to Dongding Oolong Tea were identified. Research is limited to preclinical identification of compounds like teaghrelins with molecular docking studies suggesting potential ghrelin receptor interaction, but no clinical validation exists.

## Historical & Cultural Context

No documented historical use in traditional medicine systems was found in available sources. Research emphasizes its sensory qualities (taste, aroma) and compositional profiles rather than medicinal applications, though oolong teas generally stem from Chinese tea traditions.

## Synergistic Combinations

Green tea extract, L-theanine, Pu-erh tea, White tea extract, Matcha powder

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much caffeine is in Dongding Oolong Tea?

Dongding Oolong Tea contains approximately 30-50mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup. This is roughly half the caffeine content of coffee but similar to other oolong tea varieties.

### What are teaghrelins in Dongding Oolong?

Teaghrelins are bioactive compounds found in Dongding Oolong that molecular modeling suggests may act as ghrelin receptor agonists. However, this activity has only been demonstrated through computational studies, not clinical trials.

### Can Dongding Oolong Tea help with weight management?

While Dongding Oolong contains teaghrelins that may theoretically influence appetite regulation through ghrelin pathways, there are no clinical studies proving weight management benefits. More research is needed to confirm these effects.

### How does Dongding Oolong compare to other oolong teas?

Dongding Oolong is distinguished by its unique teaghrelins content and specific terroir from Taiwan's mountains. While it shares similar catechin profiles with other oolongs, the teaghrelins appear to be cultivar-specific compounds.

### What's the best way to brew Dongding Oolong Tea?

Brew Dongding Oolong with water heated to 190-200°F for 3-5 minutes using 1 teaspoon per cup. Multiple short infusions (30-60 seconds) can extract different flavor compounds while preserving bioactive catechins and teaghrelins.

### Is Dongding Oolong Tea safe to drink during pregnancy and while breastfeeding?

Dongding Oolong contains moderate caffeine (approximately 30-50mg per 8oz cup), which most health authorities recommend limiting during pregnancy to no more than 200mg daily. While the catechins and other polyphenols in Dongding Oolong are generally recognized as safe food components, pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should consult their healthcare provider about consumption frequency and timing. The evidence for safety in these populations is based on general tea consumption data rather than studies specific to this cultivar.

### Does Dongding Oolong Tea interact with blood pressure or heart medications?

Dongding Oolong's moderate caffeine content may have minor effects on blood pressure and heart rate, potentially interacting with antihypertensive or cardiac medications in sensitive individuals. The flavonoids and catechins in Dongding Oolong could theoretically affect drug metabolism through cytochrome P450 enzymes, though clinical evidence specific to this cultivar is limited. Anyone taking cardiovascular or heart medications should consult their healthcare provider before making Dongding Oolong a regular habit.

### What is the evidence quality for Dongding Oolong Tea's health benefits compared to its chemical composition?

While Dongding Oolong has been chemically characterized to contain EGCG, quercetin, and other bioactive compounds with known antioxidant properties, most clinical evidence for health benefits comes from general oolong or green tea studies rather than cultivar-specific research. The teaghrelins identified in Dongding Oolong remain theoretical based on molecular modeling and have not been validated in human studies. For most claimed benefits, the evidence quality is compositional analysis or preliminary, meaning consumers should view health claims as exploratory rather than established.

---

*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
*License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*