If you have never enjoyed lemon tea before, you are missing out on a soothing and nutritionally rich part of your diet that can provide a number of health benefits.
What is Lemon Tea?
Quite simply, lemon tea is a form of regular tea to which lemon juice has been added. While tea has its own list of impressive health effects, adding lemon will not only change the color and flavor but also the impact that this tea can have on your health. Lemon tea is a popular tea variation in Eastern India, as well as many other nearby regions, but its proven health effects are making it a popular option in other parts of the world. Black tea, green tea, and other common tea variants already contain catechins, antioxidants, and active ingredients, but the addition of lemon also imparts high levels of vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6, as well as caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid.
Lemon tea is a delicious, calorie-free drink with medicinal benefits. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Lemon Tea Benefits
Lemon tea, rich in vitamin C and low in calories, has benefits that include its ability to improve skin, detoxify the body, boost digestive function, and aid in weight loss, among others.
Serving Size : Nutrient Value Water [g] 99.55 Energy 2 Energy [kJ] 9 Ash [g] 0.04 Carbohydrate, by difference [g] 0.41 Potassium, K [mg] 37 Sodium, Na [mg] 1 Zinc, Zn [mg] 0.01 Copper, Cu [mg] 0.01 Manganese, Mn [mg] 0.09 Caffeine [mg] 8 Sources include : USDA [1]
Skin Care
With the combined antioxidant power of lemon juice and tea, this beverage is excellent for preventing oxidative stress and improving the appearance of the skin, particularly when it comes to reducing the signs of aging and wrinkles. [2]
Immune System
With a very high level of vitamin C, adding lemon juice to your tea will give a kickstart to your immune system, protecting against infections and foreign pathogens. [3]
Heart Conditions
Vitamin C and other antioxidants are responsible for protecting the heart against oxidative stress and ensuring the integrity of blood vessels and arteries. [4]
Weight Loss
Lemon juice can suppress the appetite, as can caffeine, both of which are key parts in this beverage, meaning that it can prevent overeating and the habit of snacking between the meals, aiding you in your weight loss efforts. [5]
How to Make Lemon Tea?
Making your own lemon tea at home is very easy, although there are a number of variations on this tea that are prepared around the world. In addition to regular tea and lemon juice, some types of tea include honey, ginger, cumin seeds, sugar or salt. These variations each provide their own taste and unique health profile, but the general recipe remains the same. Let us take a look at the recipe below.
Refreshing Lemon Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water (filtered)
- 2 tsp of honey
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
- To make lemon tea, pour two cups of filtered water in a saucepan and let it boil.
- Once done, pour the boiling water over a tea bag (black, green, white, etc.).
- Add 2 tablespoon of juice to the tea infusion.
- Add honey, sugar or other flavoring ingredients, as desired. Your tea is now ready to be served.
Notes
Word of Caution
While there are many benefits of lemon tea, there can also be some side effects, such as complications in pregnant and breastfeeding women, blood pressure issues, and gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea. The dangers for pregnant and breastfeeding women relate to the caffeine content in regular tea, as does the potential problems with blood pressure. Gastrointestinal problems are typically experienced by people drinking an excessive amount of this tea. Moderation is important, and be sure not to drink this tea on an empty stomach, as that is known to cause stomach upset.
