This article is about the beneficial properties of green tea with lemon, how to brew it correctly and at what time it is better to drink.
How do green tea and lemon affect each other
Green tea is a source of antioxidants, vitamins and trace elements. What happens when a lemon is added into the drink? Here's the thing: the amount of antioxidants, in particular catechins (polyphenolic compounds from the flavonoid group), in tea increases.
In short, the antioxidants contained in tea reduce the possibility of penetration of various viruses into the cells of our body, suppress the activity of pathogens and their ability to reproduce themselves. At the same time, catechins stimulate immunity to fight viruses.
Green tea with lemon, in addition to a record number of catechins, contains essential oils and has an antibacterial effect. It also contains vitamin R, which fights the threat of thrombosis and strengthens blood vessels. And it is also proven that lovers of green tea with lemon have a much better metabolism.
What does green tea with lemon consist of?
- Thein. It is the same thing as caffeine, only it is contained in tea. Thein and caffeine have an identical chemical formula – C8H10N4O2, so green tea invigorates, gives strength and increases efficiency.
- Minerals and trace elements. Green tea contains fluorine, calcium, potassium, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, and sodium.
- Polyphenols, tannins. The polyphenols present in green tea have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, the ability to heal wounds, enhance the protective functions of our skin, and are important for the prevention of heart and vascular diseases.
- Vitamin R. Rutin improves blood circulation and vascular condition, and a good supply of blood to internal organs, in turn, improves overall well-being. Vitamin R helps vitamin C to be absorbed, accumulated and retained in the body, increases the effectiveness of ascorbic acid.
- Vitamin A. Retinol is important for maintaining eye health, has a positive effect on the immune system, participates in the synthesis of enzymes of epithelial tissues – the basis of our mucous membranes and skin.
- Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is important for human immunity, protection against viruses and bacteria. Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis of a number of hormones and proteins, the regulation of hematopoiesis and normalizes the permeability of capillaries.
- Vitamins of B group. With their deficiency, the work of the nervous and cardiovascular systems and intestines suffers, the skin condition worsens. Also, B vitamins help to cope with increased emotional stress, reduce cholesterol levels and are necessary for the synthesis of red blood cells.
Why is green tea with lemon useful
Tea with lemon and honey is a lifesaver in the off–season, especially at the peak of the spread of influenza and SARS. Citrus helps reduce body temperature during colds due to the fact that it activates sweating. And citric acid improves intestinal motility, has an invigorating effect, banishes drowsiness.
Green tea with lemon reduces blood pressure. Despite the content of thein, regular consumption of green tea with lemon will have a beneficial effect on well-being and reduce the numbers on the tonometer.
Green tea with lemon will help you lose weight. If you decide to lose weight, then you can not do without a sour drink. The caloric content of one cup, if you do not add sugar, is only 3-6 kcal (for comparison: with one teaspoon of sugar it is already 30 kcal). Green tea with lemon has a diuretic effect, so that excess fluid does not linger in the tissues. The drink also enhances heat exchange, which leads to the breakdown of body fat. Green tea with lemon lowers blood sugar and decreases hunger.
Green tea with lemon normalizes metabolism, improves the condition and appearance of the skin, slows down the aging process. It can not only be drunk, but also used as a hair rinse. Masks made of green tea with lemon are recommended to improve the complexion, relieve swelling.
Depending on personal characteristics, a portion of green tea with lemon can reduce the intensity of headaches, help fight emotional overload. The drink is able to relieve fatigue and improve concentration.
How much theanine is in a cup of green tea with lemon
Tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that stimulates mental activity and can directly affect the receptors of the central nervous system. The effectiveness of the amino acid increases in combination with caffeine, which, as we know, is also a lot in green tea.
"Natural" L-theanine is found only in tea, very few plants and some mushrooms. The content of this amino acid in tea is 1% of the weight of dry tea, that is, a cup of green tea will give you about 25 mg of L-theanine.
Due to the content of this amino acid, green tea increases the level of serotonin and dopamine, which means it will give you vigor and efficiency.
Is there any harm from green tea with lemon
The tooth enamel may suffer from lemon tea if it is thinned and weakened. With chronic gastritis and other gastrointestinal diseases, drink the drink with caution: citric acid irritates the gastric mucosa. Also be careful if you are allergic, because citrus is an allergenic product. If you have low blood pressure, drinking green tea with lemon regularly is also not recommended.
How to brew tea with lemon the best way
Proper brewing of green tea with lemon is the key to good taste and preservation of all useful properties. You will need high-quality large-leaf green tea and fresh lemon (it can also be zest, freeze-dried or dried lemon).
The temperature of the water with which you brew green tea should not exceed 80 degrees – then the drink will retain maximum of its useful qualities.
You can add lemon to green tea at any stage: in a ready-made drink, during brewing or, if you have a zest, in a dry brew. However, remember that vitamin C, which is rich in citrus, is destroyed at high temperature, so lemon slices are still not recommended to be thrown into boiling water.
What is combined with green tea
Green tea with lemon can be supplemented with natural additives. For example, honey or ginger, the rhizome of which contains a huge amount of substances necessary for our health: vitamins C, E, K, B3, B6, B5, folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, selenium, manganese. The spice of ginger combined with the sourness of lemon will give your tea a piquant taste.
Cinnamon is not a very familiar additive in tea, but it's never too late to try new things. It is believed that this spice accelerates metabolism and improves intestinal function. Of course, if it is not used as part of lush buns.
Green tea with cinnamon turns out tart and warming: grind a small piece of spice in a mortar, no more than 1 cm, add the tea leaves to taste and pour hot water. It is best to drink such a drink mixed with honey or dried fruits.
Or brew a stick of cinnamon separately, pouring it with boiling water and placing it in a thermos. So it will give its useful properties more fully. Then, when you decide to drink tea, just add the resulting cinnamon infusion to it.
You can not limit your flight of fancy and add lemon, ginger, and cinnamon to tea. To do this, chop 2.5 cm of peeled ginger and grind ¼ of the cinnamon stick in a mortar. Then pour boiling water over this mixture and let it stand for about 20-30 minutes. After that, brew green tea in the usual way and add a spicy infusion and a slice of lemon to it.
Mint tea is very familiar to us. The drink with fragrant leaves refreshes, invigorates, helps with nervousness and sleep disorders, suppresses appetite. Before adding fresh mint to tea, it should be rubbed with your fingers.
In green tea with lemon, you can also add cloves, jasmine, lemon balm, chamomile, lemongrass, grapefruit or lime. They will give the drink a special taste and aroma.
With which desserts is it better to drink tea with lemon
Do not drink green tea with chocolate cakes, dark chocolate that are too rich in taste – set them aside for coffee and black tea.
If we talk about ideal desserts, then the classic apple pastille goes well with green tea. It is quite "calm" in taste – not too sweet and not too sour, with an airy texture. Such a delicacy will pleasantly complement the delicate aroma of green tea, and will not interrupt it.
The varieties of green tea often have fruity notes, so the drink is very well combined with a variety of jams. Fruit, nutty, chocolate lukum in a duet with tea will give you a pleasant feeling of versatility of taste. Marmalade is a bright dessert that is ideal for a tea party with children. However, you should remember that drinking a lot of tea for children under 14 is not recommended. Try to prepare a weak drink for them and limit them to one cup a day.
Nut paste and nut butter with the addition of honey and natural vegetable syrups will be an excellent match for green tea with lemon. Raisins, prunes, dried apricots, banana chips or freeze-dried berries, fruit and vegetable chips are also suitable as a dessert.
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| Richard Royal Green Lemon & Ginger, flavoured green tea - 25 sachets | Richard Royal Lime & Mint, flavoured green tea - 20 pyramids | Richard Royal Moroccan Mint, flavoured green tea - 25 sachets |
