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Green tea has become the miracle drink of recent years. It is
mentioned as a cure for everything from stomach trouble to
fatigue, from rheumatoid arthritis to tooth decay. People in the
Far East have been turning to green tea for various ailments for
centuries, so it isn't surprising that the beverage has become a
popular remedy worldwide.
Perhaps the most interesting claim of fans of green tea is that
it can be beneficial in the war against cancer. A 1994 study
published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute showed
that green tea lessened the risk of cancer of the esophagus in
Chinese subjects by close to 60 percent. In addition, a study at
the University of Purdue found that, because of its chemical
makeup, green tea can also reduce the growth of cancer cells.
Green Tea's Effects--More Than Skin-Deep
There is also evidence that green tea can be beneficial for your
skin. In an article on "Green Tea and Skin" published in the
Archives of Dermatology in the year 2000, Santosh K. Katiyar,
Nihal Ahmad, and Hasan Mukhtar discussed how green tea could be
effective in fighting skin cancer. Because of its composition,
green tea can prevent inflammation and cancer in the skin.
Still, you might be wondering how this is possible. In the data
examined by Katiyar, Ahmad, and Mukhtar, the polyphenolic
compounds in green tea were tested and found to provide
protection against cancer in mouse skin. In addition, some
successful experiments were conducted on human skin in the lab.
The analysis conducted by the author's shows that green tea
polyphenols have cancer-fighting properties.
As a result, it appears that green tea could be used
successfully in skin products to treat various skin disorders,
which could help immensely in the battle against skin cancer. As
Mukhtar stated, "Of all the antioxidants known to mankind, the
components of green tea are the most potent." Still, the authors
caution that additional study is needed to fully explore the
cancer-combating capabilities of green tea.
Why Green Tea is a Superior Disease-Fighter
Of course, you might be wondering why green tea might be
effective against skin cancer, when other types of tea are not.
While green, black, and oolong tea are all derived from the
Camellia sinensis plant, green tea is processed in a way that
helps to preserve its antioxidant nature.
That's because green tea leaves are steamed, preventing their
cancer-fighting compounds from being oxidized. As a result,
black and oolong teas are not nearly as effective in fighting
disease.
Taking a Closer Look at Green Tea
It might be helpful at this point to take a closer look at green
tea and its unique properties. Dr. Stephen Hsu, a scientist at
the Medical College of Georgia, has done extensive research on
green tea and its medicinal effects. Hsu has found that the
compounds in green tea known as polyphenols destroy free
radicals, which have been known to give rise to cancer because
of changes they make in DNA.
Essentially, the polyphenols kill cancer cells, while protecting
healthy cells.
Hsu and his research team compared the growth of normal skin
cells to the growth of cells that had been exposed to green tea
polyphenol. The researchers were surprised to learn that the tea
component rejuvenated dying skin cells. The reactivation was
limited to the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin. Still, Hsu
believes that the research will have a profound impact upon
various skin conditions.
A Green-Tinged Fountain of Youth
In addition to combating cancer, green tea could be effective in
treating a variety of other skin conditions, including ulcers,
psoriasis, rosascea, and hard-to-heal wounds.
As a result of such research, some have referred to green tea as
being a veritable "fountain of youth" for the skin. While
additional research is obviously necessary, the initial results
are incredibly encouraging.
In fact, Hsu has been working on developing skin products in
which green tea plays a significant role. In this way, Hsu has
found a way to apply his lab work to the cosmetic counter. It
appears that green tea is particularly effective in protecting
the skin from sun damage--a major contributing factor to skin
cancer.
The Future of Green Tea
Given the public's interest in alternative medicine, it would
appear that green tea will be increasingly used as an agent for
enhancing health. In fact, each year people turn to green tea
for its therapeutic benefits. Research on green tea's beneficial
effects on the skin appears to be particularly promising.
In fact, green tea may be revolutionary in its impact on skin
treatments. Not only might it lead to younger-looking skin--it
may also help to keep skin cancer at bay--which would be welcome
news to the fair-skinned and anyone who has a history of skin
cancer in their family.
Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For
more information about
wu long tea
go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com
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