Why do the English and the Japanese have such good skin?

TEA FOR GLOWING SKIN AND GOOD HEALTH

Green, white, and black teas contain polyphenols, which are plant chemicals that the plant develops as it protects itself against the elements.  These powerful antioxidants are absorbed by us when we drink tea. This is just one reason why people who drink tea have better skin than others.

Read on for more information!

Who doesn’t want to have great skin like the English and the Japanese? The English Rose is well known in literature for her porcelain, plump, glowing skin. The Japanese often have soft, full, blemish-free skin and seem to age very well.

The commonality between these two nationalities that contributes to their glowing skin is tea. Tea has antioxidants that protect the skin cells’ DNA, thus preventing damage from UV Light and other assaults of daily life like pollution, smoking, lack of sleep, and simply the passage of time.

There’s more to it than that though, and if you drink tea several times a day, it’s like soaking your cells in goodness.

 GLOWING SKIN: Here are some of the benefits of tea for great skin:

1. Protects Collagen and Elastin from UV Light:
   Taken internally and topically, the antioxidants present in all types of tea protect your DNA from sun damage, which means your collagen and elastin will stay firm longer.  Apply it to your skincare products to help prevent age spots. It provides an external layer of protection against the sun. Drink it throughout the day to keep your cells shielded internally.
2. Protects Collagen and Elastin from Sugars: Excess sugar in the bloodstream can not only lead to weight gain and diabetes, but it can also age the skin. Glycation happens when sugar molecules lock onto skin and other protein cells and cause them to oxidize, kind of like when sugar is used to age meat.  Advanced Glycation End Products are the result. These AGEs break down our collagen and elastin and cause wrinkles and droopy skin.  Keeping your blood sugar low can neutralize this process and slow the progression of damage to  your cells. Tea is effective at lowering blood sugar and thus helps to prevent your skin from aging!
3. Lightens Dark Spots and prevent new ones from appearing: See Maria’s post on DIY Green Tea Toner for information on topical application of green tea to prevent skin damage from UV light. Use the simple recipe to make a refreshing toner that will improve your skin.
4. Imparts a Glow to the skin: Herbal teas have vitamins and minerals that nourish skin. Add herbal teas to your green or black brews for an added punch. Hibiscus, for instance, is loaded with vitamin C, which helps with collagen production. It’s also a rich source of vitamins A, B1, B2, zinc, omega-3 fatty acid, and iron, which add vitality to the skin.  Green tea is especially rich in polyphenols which can neutralize the free radicals associated with cancer. Amongst all of the teas studied, green tea provides the most benefits to health. The antioxidants in green tea can be measured for up to eight hours after it is consumed. I drink green tea almost every day. It helps me to focus, seems to speed up my metabolism somewhat, and protects my skin from the sun. I often drink Matcha green tea, as it’s one of the most concentrated of the green teas.  It’s powerful but it also has a very strong taste!

   

   If you like a grassy flavor, this is a brand of Matcha I’ve been using lately and the flavor is actually very pleasant.  Enjoy! 
5. Aids Sleep and Relaxation: 
   Herbal teas are very healthy in their own way, but they aren’t actually teas, as in the Camellia Sinensis tea that is used for black, white  and green teas. They can be added to traditional teas or if you want to avoid caffeine, these are good options. Chamomile tea has anxiolytic effects which have a soothing or calming effect on the body, preventing the stress that can wreak havoc on your skin. The human body is like a cellphone that needs to be recharged. Chamomile induces relaxation to rest and then re-charge the body so your skin cells can renew . 
6. Works as a topical solution for great skin: Use it as a Scrub: Instead of throwing away tea bags or tea leaves, use them as a scrub for moisturized soft skin, either in the shower, or after cleansing in the morning for some extra exfoliation.  Use it as a toner: Any tea can be used as a facial toner. Black and Green teas have antioxidants to protect your skin from aging, and tannins that act as an astringent. Use it to reduce puffy eyes: Once the tea is brewed, put the teabags in the refrigerator until cool. Place the tea bags on your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes to reduce puffiness and remove dark circles for fresher-looking eyes. Use as a Hair rinse: Make a pot of the black tea of your choice, let cool, then use it as a rinse after shampooing, before your conditioner. It’s a great way to remove residue from product buildup and give your hair a renewed bounce and shine.

The consumption of tea has become more and more popular as the health benefits become more widely known.

TEA FOR GOOD HEALTH: Let’s take a look at some of the overall healthful reasons to drink tea.

• Tea Decreases the risk of Cardiovascular disease. According to this abstract from the US National Library of Medicine, tea drinking can lower cardiovascular-related disease by preventing oxidation of the cholesterol that can lead to an obstruction in the blood vessels.

• Tea helps to prevent cancer and even blocks existing cells from proliferating after cancer has developed.  Although the studies aren’t conclusive, there is promising data showing that tea is a valid preventive measure against diseases of the stomach, colon, and skin.

• Tea Protects teeth from cavities and reduces bad breath. The tannins in tea reduce the tartar that can cause cavities and bacteria that causes bad breath.

• Tea Provides an energy boost with less caffeine than coffee. Herbal teas of course have no caffeine but green and black teas have less caffeine than coffee. Green tea also contains L-Theanine, which is a substance that helps concentration.

• Tea Helps with Weight loss. Green tea increases metabolism and lowers blood sugar levels, making it a great addition to a weight-loss plan.

• Tea Improves brain function. The L-Theanine in Green Tea, as stated above, helps concentration and has an overall positive effect on the brain. Antioxidant Catechins in green and black teas protect the brain from degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Bergamot found in Earl Grey black tea has also been found to boost mental alertness.

• Tea May help prevent diabetes. Consuming tea regularly improves blood sugar levels and slows the release of insulin, thereby lowering the risk of diabetes.

Detoxifying your body from the inside out will help you to improve your overall health, and it reflects on your complexion.

No wonder the cultures who drink tea regularly have such beautiful skin!

Drink Up and Let me know in the Comments Section below if you drink tea and which ones are your favorites!