Tea polyphenols are a natural antioxidant that can inhibit tyrosinase, reducing melanin deposition and lessening the damage ultraviolet rays cause to the skin, thereby helping to whiten the skin. Furthermore, tea polyphenols can lower blood pressure, lipids, and cholesterol levels, preventing arteriosclerosis, and protecting cardiovascular health. They also have antibacterial properties, inhibiting various pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, lactic acid bacteria, and Proteus vulgaris, enhancing the body's immune system.

What Are the Functions of Tea Polyphenols?

① Anti-Aging

Tea polyphenols have strong antioxidant properties and physiological activity, acting as scavengers for free radicals harmful to the human body. They can inhibit the action of lipoxygenase and lipid peroxidation in mitochondria within skin cells, thereby having an anti-aging effect. Studies show that 1 milligram of tea polyphenol has the same efficacy as 9 micrograms of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in clearing excessive free radicals harmful to the human body, far surpassing other similar substances. The antioxidant properties of tea polyphenols are significantly stronger than those of vitamin E by 18 times, and they have synergistic effects with vitamins C and E. Many cosmetics contain tea extracts because of the anti-aging effects of tea polyphenols.

② Alleviating Allergies

Polyphenols can strongly inhibit the release of histamine. Experiments have proven that tea polyphenols' antiallergic and anti-skin allergy reactions are 2 to 10 times more effective than commonly used antiallergic drugs. However, tea should not be directly used as a drug for allergy relief.

③ Detoxification

Tea polyphenols have a strong adsorption effect on heavy metals, forming complexes with them and precipitating, which helps reduce the toxic effects of heavy metals on the human body. Additionally, tea polyphenols have liver-protective and diuretic effects, making them effective in counteracting alkaloid poisoning.

④ Aid Digestion

The Caffeine in tea polyphenols increases gastric juice secretion, aiding digestion and enhancing the ability to break down fat. This is the rationale behind the saying, “long-term consumption leads to weight loss.”

⑤ Dental Care

Compounds in tea polyphenols can kill lactobacilli and other cariogenic bacteria found between teeth. They have the ability to inhibit the activity of glucose polymerase, effectively interrupting the process of tooth decay. Residual protein foods in the gaps between teeth serve as substrates for the proliferation of putrefactive bacteria, and tea polyphenols can kill these types of bacteria.

⑥ Beautifying Skin

Tea polyphenols are water-soluble substances. Washing your face with them can remove facial oiliness, tighten pores, and have disinfectant, sterilizing, anti-aging, and protective effects against UV radiation from sunlight. However, ladies who love beauty should note that before using tea water to wash their faces, they should test whether they are allergic to it, and the effectiveness may vary from person to person.

The functions and benefits of tea polyphenols: Tea polyphenols are the general term for phenolic substances and their derivatives in tea, not a single substance; hence, they are often referred to as polyphenolic compounds. Their content varies due to differences in variety, natural conditions, season, and geographical environment.

Tea polyphenols are the primary active ingredient in tea, also known as tea tannins, mainly present on the tea buds, significantly impacting tea quality.

Tea polyphenols have strong antioxidant and physiological activity, capable of blocking lipid peroxidation reactions and clearing harmful free radicals, being the main component responsible for the Health benefits of tea.