Benefits Of Green Tea On Skin

Green tea is one of the most consumed beverages globally. It has a host of health benefits for the human body. It has anti-aging and anti- inflammatory properties. It is also full of antioxidants which help in cancer prevention. In this article, we will discuss green tea and its benefits in detail. 

What is green tea? 

Green tea¹ is obtained from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis. This plant is found in India, China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Japan and Indonesia. These leaves are dried in different ways depending on which country and the type of green tea they are to be made. Special care is taken to prevent them from fermentation, else they would lose their colour and turn to black tea. As fermentation is prevented, green tea retains its colour as well as its benefits. 

Green tea contains Vitamin B, folate, magnesium, caffeine and several antioxidants such as catechins. A catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is highly nutritious and it is the reason behind the popularity of green tea. 

Benefits of green tea on skin 

Let's discuss the benefits of green tea on skin in detail:

1. Fight acne:² EGCG has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which prevent acne and other skin infections. It helps in eliminating the bacteria that clogs the skin. The dead skin and other impurities clogging the skin results in blackheads, whiteheads and acne
2. Control oily skin:² EGCG helps in regulating the production of androgens (a type of hormone), which are responsible for oil production on skin. It can also help in removing excess oil from the skin.
3. Exfoliates:² Green tea acts as an exfoliating agent by removing dead skin cells. New skin cells replace them which results in glowing skin. It also reduces dark circles
4. Anti-aging:² Polyphenols in the green tea boost collagen formation and reduce the breakdown of collagen. Collagen is a protein found on skin which provides elasticity and strength. As we age, it decreases which results in loss of elasticity and wrinkles on the skin. So green tea consumption is beneficial to reduce the ageing process naturally
5. Prevent skin cancer:² It is advised to reduce the exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun as they can cause skin cancers. Presence of EGCG prevents the growth and spread of cancer. Polyphenols absorb the harmful UV rays before they can penetrate the skin. So, green tea consumption or application increases the benefits of sunscreen application. Please note that sunscreen application is still required

Other health benefits of green tea 

Green tea has a range of health benefits not limited to only skin. Let's check out other benefits of green tea on our body.

1. Weight loss:³ Several studies have found that the presence of flavonoids and caffeine increase the metabolism rate and burn the excess fat in the body. This results in weight loss
2. Controls blood sugar level:³ Studies suggest that polyphenols reduce the quantity of glucose entering the blood, thus preventing a spike in blood sugar levels. EGCG inhibits the liver from producing glucose. This lowers the blood glucose levels
3. Reduce the risk of heart disease:³ Green tea helps in prevention of heart diseases especially stroke. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or 'bad' cholesterol is responsible for blockage of arteries which causes cardiac/ heart issues. Green tea helps in lowering the levels of LDL, thus reducing the chances of heart diseases
4. Bone Health:⁴ The anti- inflammatory properties of green tea help in reducing inflammation in the body. As per some studies, regular consumption of green tea might help in easing the symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea with honey can benefit the bones
5. Immune system:⁵ The antioxidants in green tea help in strengthening the immune system to fight the common cold and flu. Green tea consumption can't protect from all pathogens, it can just reduce the chances of infections
6. Hair growth:⁵ Studies suggest that catechins and the presence of zinc in green tea helps in hair growth. Adding honey can result in shiny hair. Green tea extract can also help in reducing dandruff issues, if applied on the scalp
7. Bad breath:⁵ Green tea not only fights the pathogens in the body, but also inside the mouth. This reduces the bad breath coming from the mouth. Adding honey to green tea inhibits the growth of bacteria in the mouth
8. Brain function:³ Green tea contains caffeine but in less quantity than coffee. This helps the mind to stay awake and alert. This is achieved by increasing the production of hormones dopamine and serotonin which enhance the mood. Green tea also slows the ageing of brain cells

Types of green tea 

There are a variety of green teas available in the market. They differ by the country they originate from, the manufacturing process or the nutrients they have.

As already mentioned, green tea is mostly found in Asia and the traditional varieties originated from there. Let's check out the different types of green tea.⁶

1. Sencha: It is one of the popular green teas that originated from Japan. Sencha is grown in full sunlight giving the leaves a dark greenish colour. Whole leaves including stem and veins are processed in this. The leaves from the green tea plant are infused in hot water at 158-167 degrees Fahrenheit. The leaves have a high number of antioxidants as they are exposed to direct sunlight, making it a healthy choice
2. Matcha: It is another popular and healthy green tea available. Matcha plants receive limited sunlight, so the leaves are light green in colour. The leaves are separated from the stem and processed. Then the leaves are ground into fine powder. Extra skills and tools required during processing make it slightly expensive. As it's grown in shade, it retains the caffeine content. This makes it a relaxing beverage
3. Gyokuro: The plants are covered with cloths, thus resulting in limited exposure to sunlight. Due to limited sunlight, there is less photosynthesis and the catechin production is reduced. This provides a unique sweet taste to the tea. These are also expensive due to increased skills and steps required in the production process
4. Genmaicha: Brown rice is soaked, steamed and finally roasted. Some rice grains pop out and then they are mixed with sencha leaves in an equal ratio. The mix of green and gold textures result in a final pale yellow tea, withnutty flavours from the rice. This tea is high in antioxidants but is very expensive
5. Biluochun: Biluochun means green spring snail. It originated in China,and is grown in the mountainous areas of Jiangsu province. The leaves are tightly rolled like snails and have white hairs. The leaves are picked in the spring season only
6. Hojicha: It is said to have originated in Kyoto, Japan. In this, the tea leaves are roasted, giving it a reddish brown appearance. Lower grade leaves are used for this purpose. The caffeine content is low in hojicha leaves
7. Longjing: A popular tea said to have originated from Longjing village in China. It means "dragon well". The leaves are picked during the spring season. After picking, the leaves are dried for a few hours. They are then fried in a hot pan for around 15 minutes and cooled. This frying and cooling process is repeated one more time,resulting in a mild sweet tea

Side effects and other concerns 

Green tea is a healthy beverage but it must be consumed in moderation. Drinking up to 3 cups a day is considered safe,but it must not be taken on an empty stomach and always consume it in between meals. Let's check out a few side effects⁷ which are experienced if proper caution is not taken.

1. Gastric troubles: If green tea is consumed on an empty stomach, it increases the acid production in the stomach. This might result in stomach pain or nausea. People with ulcers might experience more discomfort
2. Low iron levels: If green tea is consumed in excess, it results in low absorption of iron from the food we eat
3. Caffeine: Excess green tea consumption lets too much caffeine enter the body. In a limited quantity, caffeine can relax our minds. But in high doses, it can result in anxiety
4. Effect on eyes: Green tea might cause glaucoma in eyes
5. Bone health: Excessive caffeine from green tea might cause more loss of calcium from the body. This can result in osteoporosis which means low bone density thus increasing the chances of fractures
6. Pregnancy: Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers need to consume green tea in moderation as directed by a physician. Excessive amounts might lead to miscarriage or birth defects in unborn children
7. Heart health: Excessive consumption might lead to irregular heartbeat or palpitations
8. Liver troubles: Excessive caffeine from green tea might also cause liver diseases

Summary 

Green tea has many health benefits. But it must be consumed in limit and as per the directions on the packaging. Consuming it on an empty stomach can wreak havoc on our body. 

Medical professionals recommend drinking 1-3 cups of green tea a day in between meals. 

Adding honey or ginger can increase the benefits. Also, it should be kept away from children as green tea can inhibit the absorption of nutrients in kids. 

Hot drinks are to be kept far from children's reach. Some people are sensitive to caffeine, so they might start experiencing troubles after a few cups only. So it is better to consult a doctor and read the packaging instructions carefully before consuming.