Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Tea and Sunburns

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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