Among the things most of us hope to leave behind after high school are remembering locker combinations, worrying about being asked to the prom, and dealing with acne. Unfortunately, acne follows many of us into our 30s, 40s, and beyond. But unlike the fashion choices you (or your date) may have made on prom night, there may be something you can do about acne today.
You've probably heard me talk about green tea before. It's one of my favorite beverages. And if you have post-adolescent acne, it may become one of your favorites as well. That's because according to a new study, green tea may be able to help prevent and reduce your acne breakouts.
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For this study, researchers divided 64 female participants into two groups. These women ranged in age from 25 to 45 years old, and they all had moderate to severe acne. One group received 1,500 mg of decaffeinated green tea extract while the other received a cellulose placebo every day for four weeks. The researchers counted the number of inflammatory lesions on the participants' noses and chins and around their mouths. By the end of the study, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups. As an added bonus, those receiving the green tea extract also experienced significant decreases in their total cholesterol levels.
Researchers are still investigating how much epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a phytochemical that gives green tea its efficacy, to recommend to women struggling with acne. However, we know that taking the 1,500 mg used in the study is both safe and effective. So you can begin by trying 1,500 mg of Green Tea Extract. Not only is it effective for combating acne, we also know it can help protect your skin from UV and DNA damage. Drinking at least a cup or two of green tea a day will only add to the benefits. It's probably not what your high school self would have chosen — but it could be a good way to help you leave aspects of her behind that you'd rather not carry with you into adulthood!
To your health, naturally,
Janet Zand
Source:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27062963.