So a few months ago I went on a four-hour hike with a friend of mine. The sun was shining so she wore sunscreen (I didn't--I don't like it and I don't burn easy anyway).
We both have similar skin tones, and we obviously were in the sun for the same amount of time. She developed a sunburn, while I simply tanned a little. This puzzled me and I chalked it up to good genes, luck, and my overpowering will to be healthy.
A few days later I thought maybe my tea habits had something to do with it. I drink about a half gallon of green tea a day, plus black, rooibos, and the occasional oolong or white tea.
Lo and behold, drinking tea apparently protects your skin.
"There is good evidence in mice that tea (both green and black tea) provides significant protection against both the acute (sunburn) and long-term (skin cancer) effects of ultraviolet light."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1504069.stm
Mystery solved. Granted, I do live in Juneau, Alaska, which isn't known for its powerful sun, so don't prepare for a day at the beach just by drinking a gallon of tea. You'll not only probably get burned anyway, but you'll also have to pee a lot.
Still, I find it interesting to see tangible evidence for antioxidants I get from my tea. My not getting cancer just doesn't have the same effect, you know?
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