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We've all had those slightly startling mornings, standing under the harsh bathroom light, realizing that yes, those are indeed new wrinkles making an appearance on our skin. Premature aging can feel like an uninvited guest at life’s party, but we're here to let you in on the aging secret— the one that plastic surgeons might prefer kept under wraps: antioxidants. Let's take a deep dive into the world of wrinkles and how you can kindly show them the exit.
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How To Stop Wrinkles Before They Form: The Power Of Antioxidants
If you're wondering how to combat wrinkles, the answer lies in one powerful word: antioxidants. Antioxidants combat free radicals—those sneaky, skin-damaging compounds produced by the factors that cause premature wrinkles (like the sun, stress, a poor diet, a lack of sleep, smoking, etc.)
How Antioxidants Work To Prevent Wrinkles
Picture a battlefield, with free radicals as the invaders and antioxidants as your skin's defense army. Free radicals are unstable molecules that try to snatch electrons from your skin's cells, causing damage that manifests as wrinkles, sagging, and uneven skin tone. Antioxidants step in to neutralize these hostile invaders, donating an electron and rendering them harmless, all without becoming unstable themselves. It's this act of cellular heroism that helps to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful.
The more antioxidants we have in our system, the better our bodies can keep our skin glowing and youthful.
The Top 5 Sources Of Antioxidants For Glowing Skin
1) Spices And Herbs.
Herbs like rosemary, basil and peppermint, along with spices like turmeric, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon, are loaded with antioxidants. With every sprinkle, you're serving yourself a delicious dose of age-defying power. Fun fact: the most antioxidant rich rare herb is the Norwegian bearberry leaf. The most antioxidant rich common herb is peppermint.
2) Teas.
Teas are brimming with a group of antioxidants known as flavonoids, potent compounds that work to keep your body and skin in peak condition. Fun Fact: Tea is unique in that it contains phytonutrients so powerful that it can reverse diseases even when applied topically to the skin.
3) Berries.
Berries, like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, are nature's candy and one of the world's absolute best sources of antioxidants. Fun fact: Berries antioxidant power has been measured. For perspective, banana's antioxidant power comes out to about 40 units. On the other hand, raspberries contain 350 units, blueberries contain 380 units and blackberries...a whopping 650 units per serving!
4) Leafy Greens.
Sometimes the best things are the most understated, and that couldn't be truer for dark leafy greens like spinach and kale. These humble veggies might not be as flashy as exotic superfoods, but they are antioxidant powerhouses. Fun fact: Those deep green leaves are actually carrying the whole spectrum of rainbow pigments within them. Yellows, oranges, reds, and more – they're all there, hidden beneath the green cloak of chlorophyll. So when you consume greens, you really are eating the rainbow!
5) Nuts & Seeds.
Nuts like almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds offer a robust defense against premature aging. Interesting fact: the Global Burden Of Disease study found that not eating enough nuts & seeds was the 3rd leading dietary risk factor for death in the world. Not eating enough is dangerous!
The vibrant hues of ripe berries, the deep greens of fresh spinach, and even the exotic golden of turmeric tea are a vivid clue to the nutritional power packed within these foods. Those potent colors you see are actually visible signs of the antioxidants residing within. So when picking fresh produce, keep this in mind! Go for the reddest of beets, the blackest of blackberries, the most scarlet tomato, and the darkest green broccoli you can find.
Our Top 5 Antioxidant-Rich Tea Blend Recommendations
Ginseng Green Dragon:
Combining the antioxidant-rich Dragonwell green tea with the adaptogenic power of Jiao Gu Lan and energy-boosting Red Ginseng, this dark green blend is rich in antioxidants that will revitalize your skin, and your overall well-being.
Ingredients: Dragonwell Green tea*, wildcrafted Jiao Gu Lan, Red Ginseng*
Turmeric Fusion:
This tea combines rooibos (known for ), with some of the healthiest, most antioxidant rich spices on the planet. Consider this blend your secret weapon against the visible signs of aging, and a delightful spicy treat to boot!
Ingredients: Rooibos*, Cardamom*, Turmeric*, Cinnamon*, Ginger*, Coriander*, Orange peel*, Fennel*, White Peppercorns*, Cloves*, Star Anise*
Cranberry Apple Tart:
In 2010, an antioxidant analysis of 300 different beverages was published, from Red Bull, to Red Wine. And the winner? Hibiscus tea. Cranberry Apple Tart offers the antioxidant power of hibiscus tea AND cranberries, as well as cinnamon, another antioxidant-rich spice. Try this blend for a delightful flavor explosion that's also working wonders for your skin, and your entire body.
Ingredients: Cranberries*, Hibiscus*, Hawthorn leaf and flower*, Cinnamon* and other organic spices
Moroccan Rose Mint:
This green tea blend combines all of the beauty-boosting benefits of green tea with antioxidant-rich mint and red rose petals.
Ingredients: Sencha Green tea*, Spearmint*, Rose petals
Ultra Violet:
Remember how we talked about bright color being a tell-tale way to know if something is loaded with antioxidants? The color of this drink speaks for itself.
Ingredients: Jasmine Green tea*, Hibiscus*, Butterfly Blue Pea Flower*, Lemongrass*
*Certified organic ingredients
But here's what's awesome: ALL of our teas are packed with antioxidants. This is because our blends are made from organic teas, spices and herbs--- ingredients that are inherently rich in these beneficial compounds. So even the more playful blends, like our sweet Blueberry Thrill blend or our summery Tropical Vacation blend, that aren't explicitly targeted towards a specific health concern, contribute to your well-being in a multitude of ways, all thanks to the power-packed antioxidants within.
So grab a cup of tea and some berries, and soak in the antioxidant power! You'll avoid some pretty pricey medical bills at the surgeon's office.
Thanks so much for reading! If you enjoyed this blog, you might also like 6 Reasons To Drink Green Tea.