Exploring the Antioxidant Richness of Green Tea with Lemon
Intro
Green tea has become one of the most prominent beverages around the globe, but its accessibility was only for a minute group of elite members in China during the 14th century.
Conforming to Chinese mythology, the first reference to green tea was 2737 B.C. with the reign of the Shennong emperor.
Shennong was considered the pioneer of herbal medicine and his humble beginnings entailed speaking 72 hours after his birth, being able to walk in 7 days, and farming at the tender age of 3.
Additionally, Shennog documented over 300 species of herbs which later became an integral segment of the curriculum in herbal studies.
What is Green Tea?
Green tea is created from the leaves and buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant and is widely consumed in Asian countries.
When green tea is mass produced, the leaves are dehydrated and steamed to subdue oxidation, a process known as non-fermentation.
With an average rate of 77%, black tea is surprisingly the refreshment of choice with Europeans, Americans, and North Africans.
However, green tea’s therapeutic properties are one of the underlying reasons most individuals are starting to reconsider their stance on black tea.
Green Tea with Lemon
Green tea exhibits a multitude of benefits on its own, but when it’s combined with lemon, the reward is profound.
In alignment with green tea, lemons are also native to Asia and are generally selected for their anticancer and antibacterial characteristics.
Lemons reside within the Rutaceae family and possess an acid content of 5%, which contributes to the bitterness you experience when the juice hits your taste buds.
If you’re on a journey to improving your health, incorporating green tea with lemon into your daily meal regimen should be one of the first steps to making a significant change.
What are the benefits of Green Tea with Lemon?
1. Tackles Breast Cancer
Hypochlorous acid and peroxynitrite are two types of oxidants that negatively impact the integrity of the human cell.
When these inflammatory components run rampant for an extended period of time, cancer begins to emerge and wreaks havoc on the entirety of the biological system.
According to a study performed by Rosengren, the antioxidant EGCG in green tea destroyed breast cancer cells in vitro.
EGCG, (epigallocatechin gallate) is one of the four polyphenols present in green tea that can hinder the activity of telomerase by 45%.
Moreover, primarily responsible for inflammation, telomerase is a common oxidant found in 90% of patient’s diagnosed with breast cancer.
Despite green tea’s phenomenal solo performance, lemon is able to increase the catechin content of green tea, yielding a greater supply of polyphenols.
2. Strengthens Oral Health
If you’re over the age of thirty, you’re probably one of the 47% of individuals that may have gum disease in some capacity.
Periodontal disease derives from the negligence of oral hygiene and is typically identified by dentists as swollen/bleeding gums, gum pockets, bone loss, and in severe cases tooth loss.
If you’re seeking to boost your oral hygiene, green tea has demonstrated its ability to suppress dental problems, taking into account that it contains the mineral fluoride.
Based on a study directed by Simpson, when green tea was utilized as a mouth wash, 34% of the fluoride was able to adhere to the teeth by creating a secure bond.
On the same note, green tea was able to eliminate gram negative bacteria (e.g. P. gingivalis, T. denticola), which is one of the prime factors of bad breath.
In conjunction with green tea, the antibacterial makeup of lemon juice is also one of the reasons it can be employed to fight the occurrence of offensive breath.
It is noteworthy to mention that green tea consumption averted dental caries as well as the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), which accelerates periodontal disease.
3. Stimulates Awareness
Do you have to reach for a cup of coffee in the morning to dispel grogginess even though you slept for seven to eight hours?
Most Americans consider coffee the primary drink to sharpen their focus, and with more people working from home, 2 cups of coffee a day has become the average.
Regardless of its popularity, green tea is a better choice considering that it contains essential oils and it gently affects the central nervous system.
In addition, green tea can provoke alertness, improve brainstorming and it does not contain as much caffeine as coffee.
Likewise, when consuming green tea in the morning, adding lemon juice also encourages attentiveness and productivity.
4. Anti-Diabetic
Since the discovery of insulin over a century ago, more people have been diagnosed with diabetes today than ever before.
Be that as it may, the advancement in technology and a better understanding of the disease, has given people a longer life expectancy compared to the past.
As stated in Anderson and Polansky’s report, insulin sensitivity and glucose were influenced by the antioxidant EGCG in green tea.
Specifically, green tea was able to lower blood sugar levels and foster insulin sensitivity, even after a high caloric carbohydrate meal was ingested.
On the other hand, when dairy was added to the tea, the positive effect on insulin and glucose levels plummeted by 90%.
As a side note, insulin resistance was also exhibited when green tea with lemon was examined in clinical trials.
5. Supports Weight Loss
Obesity is a colossal issue in the United States, with over half of its population possessing a high body fat ratio.
Cardiovascular disease can affect an individual if he/she is not proactive in adopting healthy habits to reduce excessive weight.
If you are serious about refining your cardiovascular health, adding green tea with lemon to your morning ritual could accommodate your ideal body image.
For instance, studies suggest that individuals with a body mass index of 25 to 30 kilograms, lost weight when green tea with lemon was sipped on a regular basis.
In spite of that, it is paramount to mention that the green tea treatment was only effective when the catechin volume was at least 25%.
6. Enhances Immunity
To avoid the nuisance of falling ill, it is vital to maintain your immune system by choosing foods that are composed of antioxidants.
Antioxidants give your body the armor it needs to fight foreign invaders, which is essential to maintaining supreme health.
This is why green tea with lemon is top notch when you decide to take your health into your own hands.
Green tea with lemon is capable of retarding free radicals, in addition to oxidants, given the fact that vitamin C, flavonoids, and minerals are abundant.
7. Protects Brain Health
If you have the opportunity and privilege to experience life as an elder, it is imperative to preserve the vigor of your brain.
As you age, the likelihood of developing a neurological disease increases, which can be devastating to the people you cherish.
Approximately 1 billion people around the globe are living with a neurological impairment, and 1.2% of Americans have a neurological disorder as stated by the National Institutes of Health.
When green tea was studied for its effects on the brain, it was proposed that neurodegenerative activity was halted, and in some cases reversed.
Nevertheless, there are no current studies in reference to the effects of green tea with lemon on neurological diseases.
Potential Side Effects of Green Tea with Lemon
While green tea with lemon has an array of advantages for the human body, there are some precautions to take into consideration.
1. It can make you nauseous when taken on an empty stomach
The tannins in green tea can make you feel sick depending on the temperature of the tea when brewed.
For example, it was noted that some people felt nauseous when they sipped green tea after it cooled down.
Essentially, if you notice nausea after drinking green tea with lemon, try drinking it when it’s hot or after a meal before dismissing the beverage altogether.
2. Can lead to constipation or diarrhea
Green tea can raise acid levels in the stomach which may lead to digestive complications such as constipation, diarrhea, or acid reflux.
Constipation usually occurs when the tea is scorching and ranges between 160 to 180 degrees.
Diarrhea, on the other hand, stems from the caffeine present in green tea, which has a purging effect on the large intestines.
3. Can affect individuals with health conditions
It’s crucial for individuals with heart maladies, cardiovascular disease, as well as expecting mothers to avoid drinking a substantial amount of green tea.
Studies have shown that drinking more than 2 cups a day is detrimental for people with the aforementioned conditions, due to the fact that green tea can increase your heart rate.
Conclusion
With the introduction of genetically modified food, pesticides, and preservatives, there is no time like the present to enrich your life with nutrition.
It is evident that creating a solid foundation is the key to upgrading your health when discipline and dedication are harnessed.
To reemphasize, green tea with lemon can give you mental clarity, ward off cancer, combat oral bacteria, improve BMI, and so much more.
If a clean bill of health is what you desire, start your day with a cup of green tea with lemon and try being consistent for 3 to 6 months before determining whether or not it is benefiting you.
References
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