This Is What Lemon Tea Can Do For Your Body
A squeeze of lemon can do wonders for bringing out flavor in a dish or beverage. Squeeze a lemon wedge in your hot tea or ice water, sprinkle grated lemon zest over your cupcakes, and drizzle some juice over your chicken, because this versatile fruit comes packed with health benefits. Loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, lemons have been used for medicinal benefits for centuries (via WebMD).
A tasty way to enjoy lemon and get all the nutritional benefits is by brewing lemon tea. The citrusy flavored tea is quick and easy to prepare, and the juice from a single lemon contains 0.16 grams of protein, 0.14 grams of fiber, 1.2 grams of sugar, and is made up of 10.3 calories (via WebMD). As per BBC Good Food, take one-quarter sized lemon wedge, squeeze out the juice into a mug, and mix in 2 to 3 teaspoons of honey if desired. Pour over with hot water and top it off with a thin lemon slice to steep. Some may opt to add in a green, black, or chamomile tea bag.
With this delightfully simple recipe, you'll be providing your body with some important health benefits.
Lemon tea may help prevent certain health conditions
According to SF gate, the vitamin C in lemon juice serves as an antioxidant which can combat DNA-damaging free radicals. With the juice in a single lemon wedge containing 2.3 milligrams of vitamin C, vitamin C is crucial to our body's immune support, wound healing, and the development of strong skin tissue.
Lemon tea may also help provide protection against the development of cancer (via SF Gate). Lemon contains a powerful antioxidant known as quercetin, which is known to hinder the growth of cancer cells as well as prevent damage to cells from oxidative stress. Quercetin can also promote heart health, neurological health, and can act as an anti-inflammatory. Lemons also contain hesperidin, a compound that has been shown to aid in lowering blood sugar and high cholesterol levels.
It's important to note, however, that while lemon tea may help prevent some health conditions, it may aggravate others. Due to its high acidity, lemon juice can worsen canker sores, acid reflux, or contribute to tooth decay (via WebMD). Additionally, the citrus could interact with certain blood pressure or cholesterol medications, so consult with your doctor before imbibing if you are taking that prescription medicine.