Tea and Skin
Dr. Stephen Hsu, a cell biologist in the Medical College of Georgia Department of Oral Biology, previously helped determine that polyphenols in green tea help eliminate free radicals, which can cause cancer by altering DNA, and can safeguard healthy cells while promoting the death of cancer cells. Now he reports that EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), the most abundant green tea polyphenol, can reactivate dying skin cells. Dr. Hsu believes this may lead to potential benefits for skin conditions such aphthous ulcers, psoriasis, rosascea, wrinkles and wounds. (J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2003).
Previous studies have shown that green tea contains powerful anti-oxidants that fight harmful free radicals. This enables green tea to reduce the risk and prevent the development of many cancers. But the effect of green tea is not limited to internal organs. It can also improve the health of the skin by preventing wrinkles, reducing damage from sunburn and even decreasing the risk of skin cancer when applied topically. A recent study reviewed several previous studies that looked at green tea and skin. Green tea taken orally or applied directly to the skin has prevented damage from ultraviolet light, which can lead to skin cancer. Mice exposed to a chemical that causes skin cancer were less likely to develop tumours if they had green tea ointment applied for 1 week prior to exposure. (Archives of Dermatology 2000;136:989-994, 1051).
Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, an antioxidant found in green tea is at least 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E at protecting cells and their genetic material, DNA, from damage believed to be linked to cancer, heart disease and other potentially life-threatening illnesses, according to research carried out at the University of Kansas Lawrence. The antioxidant has twice the antioxidant benefit of resveratrol, found in red wine. Green tea has another advantage over vitamin E in that excessive amounts of antioxidants found in water soluble green tea are excreted by the body, whilst the body absorbs and retains fat-based vitamins such as vitamin E, even at potentially harmful levels.
