Green Tea for Health & Beauty

Research shows the benefits of green tea may range from rejuvenating older skin to warding off cancer. It contains a cornucopia of antioxidants and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, and vitamins C, D, and K.

Green Tea for Weight Loss

You are right to be suspicious of the green tea "miracle" weight loss formulas, but there is some truth to the fad. Researchers have documented that green tea will boost metabolism and speed up the body's ability to oxidize fat. They've also noted that it could reduce cholesterol levels.

Green tea is a well-known diuretic, and there is some research that suggests that it can help reduce the effects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. So even if you're simply trying to look and feel good for an event, some green tea could be used as a gentle, natural laxative to make you more comfortable on your waistband.

Skin Care Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea is an increasingly common ingredient in skin care products. Prized for its antiseptic properties, it can help battle blemishes and soothe sunburned skin. You don't have to buy a particular product to use green tea—the bags work fine. Simply hold a hot tea bag to a blemish to speed up healing or rub it over your face for alcohol-free toning.

Green tea has also been shown to fight free radicals and reduce the number of peroxide lipids—two main causes of premature aging and cell degeneration. Green tea is becoming an increasingly popular ingredient in anti-aging products.

Green Tea Against Disease

Green Tea has also been shown to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels (as does black tea). According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it's estimated that heart attack rates decreased by 11 percent among people who drank three cups of tea each day. Additionally, they suspect that the polyphenols in green tea may help block cholesterol absorption, control blood sugar levels, and help protect the liver from toxins.

Notably, several population-based studies suggest a link between cancer defense and tea, since countries where it's consumed seem to have a lower incidence of cancer. The FDA has not yet endorsed the health benefits of green tea, but that may change.

It's important to be aware that green tea does contain caffeine, so it's not recommended to start drinking 10 cups of it a day. However, there are certainly many reasons to recommend green teas as part of your health and beauty routine.

 


 

Sources:

Currie, Suzanne:  "5 Top Ingredients for Beautiful Skin!" Bigelow Tea Website. Web. 2011.
http://www.bigelowtea.com/health/tea-and-beauty/5-top-ingredients-for-beautiful-skin.aspx

Umm.edu: "Green Tea" University of Maryland Medical Center. Web. 2011.
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/green-tea-000255.htm#ixzz1mr5vn0wD