Is Oolong the Secret Behind Youthful Skin?

Posted By Caitlin Ryan
Categoirzed Under: Weight loss
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by Caitlin Ryan

Women in Asia seem to have more beautiful, flawless skin well beyond their youthful years. It seems as though time stood still and allowed them to maintain this gorgeous look for many years. What do you suppose their secret is? Could it be oolong tea?

Asian women tend to live cleaner lives. They consume better diets and are generally exposed to less environmental toxins. These are few of the reasons behind their gorgeous, youthful skin.

We should all strive for a better diet full of fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean proteins; however, we cannot do much to escape environmental toxins from industrial facilities, car exhaust and chemicals. This is where oolong tea can help fight the damage, prevent premature aging and improve the youthful appearance of your skin!

All tea is from a plant called Camellia Sinensis. The difference among different teas is due to when the leaves are harvested and the fermentation process that they undergo afterwards.

Fermenting is the oxidation process that turns the leaves a darker shade. Whether tealeaves are fermented or not and for what length of time lends to the different flavors, aromas and coloring of the tea. Black tea is fermented the most whereas green tea is not fermented at all. Oolong tea is in between and has an interesting background.

Legend tells that oolong tea was created purely by accident. A man named Wu Liang was harvesting tea leaves and was interrupted by a passing deer. Wanting the deer for his family, he abandoned his freshly picked tea leaves to hunt the deer.

He returned a few days later and found the tea leaves partially oxidized by the sun. He proceeded to prepare the tea anyway and found that this oxidation process had made the tea more delicate than green tea. It no longer had a bitter grassy taste!

Oolong tea, green tea and white tea are the most beneficial teas to fight the signs of aging, but oolong tea has a nicer flavor because of the semi-fermentation process. Tea is capable of fighting aging and restoring more youthful skin due to its phytochemicals, which is a fancy name for antioxidants.

At the heart of aging lie free radicals. We are exposed to free radicals on a daily basis through UV rays and all of the chemicals and pollutants previously mentioned. Free radical molecules damage our skin (and all tissue) at the cellular level.

They destroy cellular membranes and alter genetic material. As we age, it becomes more and more difficult to fight free radicals and repair the damage. As well, we stop regenerating cells as much as we did when we were younger.

This has many affects on the body such as decreased cardiovascular health. In terms of our skin health, this is exactly why we end up with wrinkled, sagging, fragile skin.

As mentioned oolong tea contains strong antioxidants. When free radicals damage cells, the process is called oxidation. ANTIoxidants fight this process. They can also repair the damage done AND they are important components of cellular regeneration. This is why drinking oolong tea regularly can improve the health of your skin and restores a more vibrant, healthy appearance to your skin!

Moderately priced and wonderful in flavor, oolong tea is one of the best!

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