Green Tea and Your Skin

We already know that the plant chemicals in tea called polyphenols are proven risk-reducers for cancer and may also offer similar protections against heart disease and dementia. And a plant chemical in green tea called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) may also help you lose weight. But beautiful skin? Yep. Researchers divided 60 women into two groups and gave one of them green tea beverages for 12 weeks. The green tea group saw significant improvements in roughness, scaling, elasticity and blood flow to the skin. “In summary”, wrote the researchers, “green tea polyphenols delivered in a beverage were shown to protect skin against harmful UV radiation and helped to improve overall skin quality of women”. So drink up!

Studies show black rice bran to be higher in anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries, which traditionally steal the spotlight for their antioxidant properties. The plant pigment, which gives the grain its signature color, may reduce your risk for heart disease and cancer and reduce levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) in the blood.