Green Tea

One of the healthiest beverages on the planet, green tea has its origins 4,000 years back in China where it was used as medicine for relief of headaches and as an anti-depressant. Due to its numerous health benefits, it is now consumed by a large number of people around the world. China, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia are the world leading countries in the production of green tea.

You will be amazed to know that pure green tea is composed of 99.9g water. Minors include

• Caffeine (12mg)
• Carbohydrates (0g)
• Fats (0g)
• Protein (0.2g)
• Vitamins (0.03-0.06mg)
• Minerals (0.02-8mg)

Beauty benefits/skin benefits

Green tea has a lot of skin and hair benefits in addition to its systemic ones. For the past few years, the concept of consuming green tea as a beverage has been greatly changed. Nowadays, people use its leaves for facial steaming and as a component of topical masks. Certain multinational companies like Estee Lauder to L’Occitane are rushing to include this natural ingredient in their beauty products.

Protects skin from sun damage

When applied topically in the form of a mask or sun-blocker, it protects your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. The actual phenomena of how it protects the skin is still unclear, however, studies show that it mitigates the UV damage by penetrating into the dermis. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) and B3 (Niacin) are the antioxidants and active ingredients in green tea that perform their protective function against free radicals (oxidative species that cause damage to the skin).

Reduces Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an auto-immune disorder characterized by white patches, red scaling plaques and redness of skin. Green tea helps the body slow down the rapid turnover of skin cells which seems to be the major underlying cause of psoriasis. It also provides relief against itching and irritation.

Prevents Wrinkles

Green tea can help reduce dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes and face. Again the anti-aging and anti-wrinkle action of green tea is due to its antioxidant content. Tannins and polyphenols in green tea are also involved in decelerating the aging process.

Treats Acne and Pimples

Attack of bacteria or their toxins produce various problems in the skin like pimples and acne. The other major cause is the hormonal imbalance that usually occurs at puberty. Catechins are the active anti-bacterial agents in green tea that fight Propionibacterium Acnes (acne-causing bacteria) and regulates hormonal imbalance.

Improves skin complexion

Green tea makes your skin healthy and glowing and improves its texture and complexion. It reduces inflammation and helps the body get rid of bacterial and viral toxins. According to one study by Medical College of Georgia, green tea components are effective in regaining skin elasticity, healing scars and treating skin diseases.

Besides the skin benefits mentioned above, drinking or topical application of green tea extracts is also effective in treating puffy eyes, preventing memory loss, disease prevention, and weight loss.