Reap the beauty benefits of drinking tea

Reap the beauty benefits of drinking tea

We all love a cup of tea, but are there any benefits we get from drinking it? Other than the comfort of feeling at home when we do?

Tea is good for our health – mental, emotional, social and physicals. An increasing amount of scientific research testifies to the health benefits of all tea, black, green, white and others.

But did you know that studies also link tea with beauty factors, not only weight loss but also hydration and skin health? With summer here we all of course want to look our best and the good news is that tea can help. With the help of the experts at the Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) we take a look at the beauty secrets behind the humble cup of tea.

SKIN-T H20

Good hydration is important for the health of all our body organs, tissues and cells. When summer comes and the sun (hopefully!) shines it can be all too easy to forget about fluid intake. According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Nutrition, even mild dehydration can affect cognition, concentration, the general ability to think clearly and development of headaches. Poor hydration can also have an impact on our skin health.

TV presenter and TAP dietician Lynne Garton notes: “Unfortunately, media reports sometimes suggest that water is the only method of hydration while suggesting that other drinks such as tea are not as effective for hydration because they contain caffeine. However, this idea is a myth and it is not backed up by research. Tea is equally as hydrating to water which good news is given that tea is so popular and even better news for our skin health.”

A recent study suggested that drinking up to six cups of tea per day, has the same hydrating properties to water. The average intake of tea in the UK is two to three cups per day, so most tea drinkers are within the six cups per day range.

The role of tea in skin health

Healthy skin is well hydrated skin. Although the sun is very welcome to most of us, summer temperatures can play havoc with the skin and make it important among other things to ensure good hydration.

Commenting on our skin needs, women’s health expert and TAP member, Dr Catherine Hood notes: “The skin is composed mostly of water and contains a hydro-lipid layer, a protective layer of natural oils and fats which slows down the evaporation of moisture and helps to protect the skin against the external elements while maintaining the skin’s pH. However, high temperatures, air conditioning, dry atmosphere and pollution as well as lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition, smoking, too much alcohol and poor hydration can have a detrimental effect on the skin’s defences.”

Drinking enough fluid which can include all types of tea is important for restoring fluid loss which can occur to a greater extent during summer. Adequate hydration can help to keep the skin in good condition.

White tea has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity in human skin. In one study human skin cells were exposed in the laboratory to hydrogen peroxide. White tea was shown to reduce the inflammation that would normally result from hydrogen peroxide exposure.

Tea and weight loss

Tea consumption has been associated with less weight gain over time. Drinking tea more than once a week has been linked to lower body fat percentages and smaller waist circumferences than non-tea drinkers. Much of the research looking at tea and weight loss has been conducted with green tea catechins. However, both black and green tea have a similar overall flavonoid content and they also come from the same plant Camellia sinensis which most people do not realise.

It is also important to note that all teas, including black tea, with semi-skimmed milk and no sugar, is a lower calorie alternative than other popular drinks. Tea has been recommended to take precedence over other beverages to help reduce energy intake and maintain hydration.

Tea bags for beauty

While tea has great hydrating properties vital for our skin beauty and helps aid weight loss, the humble tea bag can also offer a host of beauty secrets. These include:

Revitalisation: Tea bags soaked in warm water and placed over closed eyes revitalise tired puffy eyes

Soothing care: The application of a few wet tea bags to sunburnt skin (although it’s always best to apply sunscreen when exposing skin to the sun) and to burns from other causes, including razor burn and painful nicks and cuts when shaving help soothe the skin and help reduce any inflammation

Hair know how: Freshly brewed tea as a conditioning final rinse after a shampoo

Sweet smells: Add a cup of peppermint tea to a foot bath to combat foot odour

Fresh breath: Peppermint tea makes a great soothing mouthwash

T beauty essentials

TV presenter and TAP dietician, Lynne Garton notes: “With summer just around the corner, make tea part of your beauty regime. Hydration is key in warmer weather and tea in amounts of up to 6 cups daily can play as important a role in hydration as water. Keeping well hydrated is also vital for our skin, helping it to look ‘vibrant’ and youthful. In addition tea polyphenols have been shown to improve skin quality. And don’t forget that tea can also help with weight loss plans”.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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