10 Health Benefits of Green Tea with Lemon

Benefits of Green Tea with Lemon

Many combinations come and go, but the one that stands up among all is the combination of green tea and lemon.

Green tea and lemon are individually celebrated for their health benefits. But when these two come together, their potential is amplified, offering a refreshing and nourishing beverage that not only satisfies the taste buds but also promotes overall well-being.

Some benefits of green tea with lemon include improved cognition, rich in antioxidants, boosts immunity, hydrates your body and many more.

This herbal and refreshing drink has several health benefits, both physically and mentally. And it is easy to prepare too.

This blogs delves into several benefits of green tea with lemon and how to prepare it at home.

Health Benefits

Let us explore some of the health benefits of green tea with lemon.

1. Rich in Antioxidants

Both green tea and lemon are abundant in antioxidants, compounds known for their ability to combat oxidative stress and protect cells from damage.

The combination of catechins found in green tea and vitamin C in lemon creates a potent antioxidant synergy.

Green tea contains polyphenols, which include flavanols, flavandiols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids; these compounds may account for up to 30% of the dry weight. Most of the green tea’s polyphenols are flavonols, commonly known as catechins.

There are four kinds of catechins mainly found in green tea, they are epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, and EGCG.

Studies using animal models show that green tea catechins provide some protection against degenerative diseases.

Lemons are rich in vitamin C, citric acid and flavonoids, which may have positive effects on health.

Regular consumption of lemon and other vitamin C-rich foods has been associated with a lower incidence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disease.

Including green tea with lemon into your daily routine will improve your health by lowering the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity and heart diseases.

2. May Boost Immunity

The high content of vitamin C in lemon improves the immune-boosting characteristics of green tea, making it a powerful drink in fighting infections and diseases.

Green tea catechins can help fight tumors and boost the immune system, especially in cases where the immune function is disrupted by tumors or cancer-causing substances.

Vitamin C is crucial for a strong immune response against pathogens, preventing excessive host damage. It can help prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections by boosting the functions of various immune cells.

Regular use of green tea with lemon will help improve your body’s defense mechanism, making you healthy and joyful all the year.

3. May Reduce the Risk of Neurological Disorders 

Green tea with lemon may reduce the risk of neurological disorders due to the combined benefits of green tea catechins and lemon flavonoids.

Several studies suggest that green tea intake might reduce the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or cognitive impairment.

Studies have shown that fruits rich in flavonoids can protect the nervous system. Citrus flavonoids reduced Alzheimer’s disease risk by decreasing harmful amyloid production and hesperidin, hesperetin, and neohesperidin exhibited neuroprotective effects.

While, these studies show green tea and lemon may have neuroprotective properties, some of them are inconsistent and more research on human is needed.

4. May Support Heart Health

Green tea is well-known for its benefits for heart health. It decreases cholesterol and improves blood flow in the arteries.

Green tea may lower blood pressure and thus reduce the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease.

Some animal studies suggested that green tea might protect against the development of coronary heart disease by reducing blood glucose levels and body weight.

An analysis of several studies on rats found that the lemon flavonoids eriocitrin and hesperidin may contribute to the lowering blood pressure, which is one of the primary risk factors of heart disease.

A study found citric acid acts on the endothelium of the aorta in spontaneously hypertensive rats and causes vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), which is beneficial for overall heart health.

When green tea is paired with lemon, which includes flavonoids, it may become even more powerful drink for a healthy heart.

5. May Help in Weight Loss

Green tea with lemon is often touted as a weight loss aid, and for good reason. Both green tea and lemon contain compounds that support weight management.

In a study involving six overweight men, participants took 300 mg of EGCG daily for two days. Although resting energy expenditure didn’t change, EGCG significantly lowered respiratory quotient values post-meal, indicating increased fat oxidation. This suggests EGCG may aid in fat loss and support green tea’s anti-obesity effects, but larger studies are needed to confirm the optimal dose.

Several animal studies suggest that consumption of lemon juice may result in fat loss.

A study conducted with humans found that drinking lemon juice decreased body fat, waist-hip ratio.

Additionally, the polyphenols in lemon may help suppress appetite and reduce calorie intake.

6. May Provide Relief from Stress

Green tea with lemon may have stress-relieving properties, making it a calming and comforting beverage.

In clinical human trials, the consumption of green tea with CE/TA ratios of 3.9 and 4.7 reduced susceptibility to subjective depression. These results suggest that the daily consumption of green tea with a CE/TA ratio of 4–5 is beneficial to improving depressed mood.

Here, theanine (T) and arginine (A) reduce stress, whereas caffeine (C) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, E) act to counteract their effects, which can be assessed by the molar ratio of the sum of C and E to the sum of T and A, or CE/TA ratio.

There is limited direct scientific evidence showing that consuming lemon specifically reduces stress, there are indications that citrus fruits, including lemons, can have a positive impact on stress relief.

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are known to contain high levels of vitamin C, which has been shown to help reduce the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body.

Enjoying a cup of green tea with lemon may help unwind and alleviate stress after a long day.

7. May Fight Against Cancer

Green tea and lemon both have cancer-fighting properties.Their combination may help fight against many types of cancers.

For instance, A study on chemopreventive effect of green tea among cigarette smokers found that it can block the cigarette-induced increase in sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency.

Higher SCE frequencies can be a sign of genetic damage or instability, often linked to exposure to mutagens or carcinogens.

Green tea consumption has also been linked to the prevention of many types of cancer, including lung, colon, esophagus, mouth, stomach, small intestine, kidney, pancreas, and mammary glands.

Several studies suggest that citrus flavonoids have an obvious inhibitory effect against various cancers, the most studied of which is breast cancer and other cancers include rectal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, epidermal cancer.

However, if you are suffering from cancer or suspect its symptoms green tea with lemon should not be considered an anti-cancer diet.

8. Prevents Kidney Stones

Drinking green tea with lemon can help in preventing the formation of kidney stones.

A population-based cohort study on 502,621 Chinese participants indicated that increased green tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of kidney stones compared with non-tea consumers.

And lemon may also help prevent kidney stones. How it happens is that citrate in citrus fruits bind calcium, inhibiting formation of calcium crystals. Citrate also prevents the accumulation of already formed calcium oxalate crystals, thus preventing the formation of bigger stones.

It was demonstrated that, due to their higher potassium citrate concentrations, drinking 1.2 L of orange juice or 2 L of lemon juice per day increases urinary citrate excretion and reduces kidney stones recurrence rate in both healthy individuals and those prone to kidney stones.

9. Controls Blood Sugar Levels

There are some studies suggesting consumption of green tea is inversely linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.

For instance, green tea consumption was found to be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japanese adults. The study says that those who consumed green tea had a 33% lower chance of developing T2DM compared to those who did not.

A case-control study revealed that long-term drinking of green tea is associated with 50% lower risk of developing diabetic retinopathy than those who don’t drink green tea in China.

There are few studies showing antidiabetic effects of lemon, here is a mixed study.

Overweight women following a lemon detox diet (lemon juice with a mixture of maple and palm syrup) for 7 days showed reduced body fat and increased insulin sensitivity.

Therefore, drinking green tea with lemon regularly may help in better blood sugar control.

10. Hydrates and Energizes

Staying hydrated is essential for overall health, and green tea with lemon is a delicious and hydrating beverage.

Proper hydration supports vital bodily functions such as temperature regulation, joint lubrication, nutrient transportation, and waste removal. It also enhances physical performance, cognitive function, and mood.

It provides a refreshing alternative to sugary drinks and helps meet your daily fluid intake. The natural caffeine content in green tea provides a gentle energy boost without the jittery effects associated with coffee.

Lemon adds a zesty flavor that can invigorate your senses and provide a refreshing start to your day.

How to Prepare Green Tea with Lemon

Making green tea with lemon is simple and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Here’s a basic recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 green tea bag or 1 teaspoon of loose green tea leaves
• 1 cup of hot water (not boiling)
• Juice of half a lemon
• Honey or a natural sweetener (optional)

Instructions:

1. 1. Steep the green tea in hot water for 2-3 minutes.
   2. Remove the tea bag or strain the leaves.
   3. Add the lemon juice.
   4. Sweeten with honey if desired.
   5. Stir well and enjoy.

Closing Thoughts 

To summarize, the benefits of green tea with lemon go much beyond its refreshing flavor and aroma.

By introducing this dynamic combination of green tea and lemon into your daily routine, you can boost your immunity, control blood sugar levels, prevent kidney stones, manage weight and many more.

Cheers to the benefits of green tea with lemon, a classic beverage for a vibrant health!

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FAQs

Is 1 cup of green tea a day enough?

One cup of green tea a day can provide some health benefits, but whether it’s enough depends on your individual health goals, lifestyle, and overall diet.

What happens if I drink green tea with lemon on empty stomach?

Drinking green tea with lemon on an empty stomach can have both positive and potentially negative effects, depending on your individual health and tolerance. Here’s what you need to know

• Enhanced Antioxidant Absorption
• Improved Digestion
• Increased Energy and Mental Focus
• Irritation in Stomach
• Risk of Tooth Erosion
• Potential Interference with Medications

Attributions:

1. Image from Freepik.com/pikaso/ai image generator 

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