3 Drinks That Promote Luminous Skin And Better Brain Health, According To A Neuroscientist
1. Organic Decaf Coffee
Many overlook this simple yet potent anti-aging secret, Love points out. He emphasizes that the key lies in decaf coffee, particularly when it's organic. "Coffee is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants and all kinds of great, beneficial nutrients that are great for the brain and that can help improve brain health," he explains.
"Why decaf? Because it doesn't contain caffeine and caffeine can actually dehydrate the skin and increase aging, " Love goes on. He adds that there is "controversial data that shows that caffeine impairs the brain's ability to make new brain cells, so decaf coffee is extremely beneficial for the brain and doesn't have the negative side effects of the caffeine."
2. Green Tea
According to Love, many people are aware of green tea and its potential anti-aging properties, yet they often fail to consume enough to truly experience its benefits. "In research studies, people who drink green tea are healthier, are less likely to get Alzheimer's disease," he shares.
"Green tea has all kinds of antioxidants and polyphenols that are absolutely great for slowing down the aging process and protecting the brain as you age," he notes.
3. Matcha
"This one is the most powerful and the least expensive. It is matcha," Lowe says, regarding his third beverage. "A lot of people haven't heard of matcha, it is green tea on steroids," he continued. He referred to it as "the whole tea leaf ground up into a really powerful powder."
"Why is it the most powerful? Because it's ten times more powerful than green tea," he adds. "It's got ten times the amount of antioxidants and it's a lot less expensive than coffee." He observed that although he frequently spends $20 on both a bag of matcha and a bag of coffee, a small amount of matcha lasts much longer. Despite their identical prices, matcha offers a more cost-effective choice.
"You could use so little of matcha, a little goes a long way," Love notes, concluding that "Matcha is actually a great deal for your wallet and it is ten times more powerful than green tea."
The Bottom Line
We also checked in with Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, clinical dermatologist and writer at My Eczema Team, who suggests that when you're unsure of how to begin your skincare and healthy dieting journey, incorporating beverages that are packed with anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties can do wonders for your skin's elasticity and shield it from damage and premature aging.
Whether you prefer simple water, fruit juices or even smoothies, adding collagen powder and blueberry juice can also help to increase the production of collagen and elastin, giving your skin the necessary nutrients it needs to flourish.
Adding more vitamin C to your diet through your diet can also "be effective at preventing the onset of wrinkles," Factor points out.
She stresses that this consuming this nutrient, along with "drinking plenty of water, protecting your skin from the sun, not smoking, and managing your stress" plays a key role when it comes to "keeping your skin healthy and youthful."