Sip the Secret: 5 Korean Drinks to Consume to Delay Ageing

1. Sikhye (Sweet Rice Drink)

Sikhye is a traditional fermented rice beverage made of malt water and cooked rice. It is a tad bit sweet and is chilled to be used after meals.

How Sikhye Helps: Sikhye is not merely a sweet drink; it also comes packed with digestive enzymes, which make the gut healthy. As a healthy gut is associated with reduced inflammation, improved nutrient absorption, and healthier skin texture, Sikhye is a must-have drink. Owing to its fermentation process, Sikhye is also rich in probiotics, paving the way for natural detoxification of the body and restoring the microbiota of the skin.

Added Bonus: The natural sugars and amino acids of sikhye help to hydrate the skin and establish a healthy collagen level.

2. Omija-cha (Five Flavour Berry Tea)

Omija tea is made using the dried magnolia berries (Korean name: Omija), meaning five-flavour. This tea is known for its distinct flavour, offering a mix of sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent.

How Omija-cha Helps: The berries of omija contain a lot of lignans and schisandrin, which are known for their anti-ageing and liver-antidote effects. The antioxidants cope with oxidative stress, countering one of the biggest contributors to premature skin ageing. Moreover, Omija’s frequent use can also enhance skin elasticity and pigmentation. 

ALSO READ: Sports Drinks vs Energy Drinks: Which Is Safer and When to Use Them

3. Yuja-cha (Citron Tea)

Yuja-cha is a popular drink during Korean winters, and is created with the citron fruit sweetened with honey or sugar. You just drop a teaspoon in hot water, and that gives you a citrusy, sweet-tangy tea.

How Yuji-cha Helps: Citron is another source of vitamin C, packing a lot more vitamin C as compared to lemons. Vitamin C increases collagen production, diminishes age spots and provides sun damage protection.

Added Bonus: Yuja tea also boosts the immune system and is used to brighten dull skin. 

4. Barley Tea (Bori-cha)

Barley tea is a caffeine-free, nutty drink prepared from roasted barley. It is consumed both cold and hot and is a common food in every Korean household. Bori-cha is rich in antioxidants, such as quercetin and selenium, which destroy free radicals and protect against cell destruction. 

How it Helps: It helps in flushing out the toxins from the kidneys and liver, which cause dull skin and acne breakouts, therefore, healing the skin. It also contains precursors of melatonin that enhance the sleep quality, which is essential to anti-ageing and skin repair of skins.

Benefits: Bori-cha helps in hydration, better circulation, and better digestive health, nourishing your skin, keeping it looking tight and bright.

ALSO READ: Is Korean Skincare Right for Indian Skin? Expert Shares Insights

5. Ginseng-tea(Insam-cha)

Prepared from the roots of Korean ginseng, this herbal tea has long been a standard of traditional Korean medicine. It is earthy and bitter naturally, and is usually sweetened with honey. Ginseng has anti-ageing properties and is an adaptogen. It enhances flows, stimulates collagen production, and prevents wrinkles. 

How it Works: Ginseng also has ginsenosides, which is an active compound that enhances skin elasticity and minimise fatigue. It also contributes to the maintenance of blood sugar and stress hormones, which, in case they are not under control, can prematurely age the organism.

How to Consume: Ginseng tea can be taken after a stressful day as it also has calming qualities, helping you sleep better to refresh your body inside out.

ALSO READ: Bedtime Beverages: 8 Best And Worst Drinks To Consume Before Bed

Conclusion: Drink Consciously for Younger Skin

Although skin care products are effective in treating the skin surface, anti-ageing begins inside and out. South Korean beverages such as sikhye, omija tea, citron tea, barley tea and ginseng tea are refreshing, containing natural compounds that nurture the skin, increase collagen production and minimise inflammation. Include these beverages in your daily or weekly diet, and your skin will have all the moisture, vitamins, and antioxidants necessary to maintain its youthfulness.