If you want to make the most of the benefits of your cup of tea, a simple slice of lemon would make all the difference! At least that’s what Dr Karan Rangarajan, British surgeon and lecturer, reveals. Explanations.
THE green tea is a popular drink loved for its health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. As to lemon, this ultra-vitamin fruit is a must-have in health foods. But did you know that combining the two multiplies their benefits?
Doctor Karan Rangarajan is popular on Tik Tok for his health recommendations. Today followed by millions of subscribers, he recently shared several ideal food combinations for health. Among them, we find green tea and lemon. Here are some of the reasons why you should try.
Increase absorption of antioxidants
Lemon is rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Adding lemon to your green tea can help increase the absorption of antioxidants from green tea.
Indeed, “Vitamin C in lemon helps stabilize beneficial polyphenols in green tea, such as catechins“, explains the expert. This improves their absorption and makes them more available to the body.
A study published in the scientific journal Natural Science comparing the polyphenol contents of green tea, with and without lemon, supports this idea. Catechins are particularly recognized for their cardioprotective effect.
Help strengthen the immune system
By combining green tea and lemon, we obtain a drink that offers double protection against infections. On the one hand, the anti-inflammatory properties And antibacterial green tea strengthens the body’s immune defenses. On the other hand, vitamin C in lemon, essential for the proper functioning of the immune system, helps produce white blood cells.
Improve digestion
Lemon is a good source of fibers, which are important for digestion. Fiber helps regulate bowel movements and can help prevent constipation. Additionally, the catechins in green tea help stimulate digestive enzymes, reduce inflammation, and protect the stomach. So, green tea and lemon each have properties that can help improve digestion.
You can also add fresh ginger to your cup of green and lemon tea. THE ginger is another food that has beneficial digestive properties, especially for its positive effect on bile secretion.
Promote weight loss
L’“fat-burning” effect of green tea is very useful when you want to lose weight. L’EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), one of the catechins present in large quantities in green tea, stimulates metabolism and helps reduce the accumulation of body fat. For its part, lemon is a low-calorie fruit that can also help eliminate fat.
It is important to note that the combination of green tea and lemon is not a quick fix. To lose weight, it is necessary to combine a healthy and balanced diet with a regular physical activity.
Source : Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Green Tea with and without Lemon, Natural ScienceJune 2016