Lemon in tea benefits a lot. Because lemon tea is a low-sugar, low-calorie way to add a range of vitamins and minerals to your diet. Grating lemon zest into your tea also adds the peel’s limonene. This antioxidant, found in fruit peels, may lower your risk of cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and other chronic diseases. Here we are going to discuss the benefits of lemon tea.
Lemon in Tea Benefits
Immune system support
One lemon can offer about half of your recommended daily value of vitamin C, which contributes to immune system defense and may help the body fight infection. Lemons also contain citrus flavonoids. These antioxidants fight free radicals, have anti-inflammatory effects, and can reduce your risk of brain disease and other degenerative diseases.
Lower blood pressure
Physical activity helps to control high blood pressure, strengthen your heart, and reduce stress. Studies have found that the flavonoids in lemon help lower your blood pressure as well. Additional research showed this effect enhances the heart-healthy benefits of physical activity.
Anticancer properties
Lemons are rich in antioxidants, which work to prevent cell damage that may lead to chronic illnesses like cancer. Quercetin, one of the antioxidants found in lemons, inhibits cancer cell growth in several types of cancer, including ovarian, prostate, breast, and kidney cancers.
Reduced risk of diabetes
Lemons contain a natural compound called hesperidin that may lower blood sugar levels, decreasing your risk of diabetes. In addition, the citric acid in lemons slows the conversion of starch to sugar, helping reduce blood sugar spikes and aiding in weight management.
Anti-aging properties
Lemons may be one of the most easily available and delicious anti-aging foods. Vitamin C is a very popular ingredient in different skin care products – especially anti-aging and brightening. However, studies showed that ingesting lemons may help with premature skin aging too by increasing collagen content and reducing wrinkle formation.
Antibacterial activity
One research showed that drinking lemon tea may provide better antibacterial activity against some bacteria – even more beneficial than drinking pure green or black tea.
Regulating high blood sugar
Both lemon juice and lemon peel may be beneficial for people with a higher risk of diabetes or those already diagnosed. The research found that lemon peel may help lower high blood sugar. Furthermore, citric acid in lemon juice may help prevent some complications related to type 2 diabetes.
Mental health
Studies showed that citruses may help reduce the chances of developing mental illnesses. They may help with anxiety and diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Lowering blood pressure
Daily intake of lemons combined with walking may have a good effect on blood pressure and help in preventing cardiovascular disease.
Benefits for the digestive system
Drinking warm water with lemon first thing in the morning is a well-loved routine by many people. It may help cleanse the digestive tract, aid in digestion and help with weight loss. Studies showed that to get the most out of this routine, drink lemon water first thing in the morning and avoid caffeine or caffeinated tea.
Soothing sore throat or cough
Studies showed that drinking lemon together with honey may help reduce cough and improve the quality of your sleep.
Preventing kidney stones
Lemon juice is a natural diuretic. Studies showed that citric acid (different from ascorbic acid) may help in reducing the risk of developing kidney stones.
Lemon Tea Disadvantages
Lemon tea can help prevent diseases and improve your health, but lemons have a high acid content. In excess, lemons can cause discomfort or worsen symptoms of certain medical conditions.
Consider the following before drinking lemon tea:
Aggravate acid reflux
Lemons can worsen heartburn symptoms in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In high amounts, lemon juice can also irritate your stomach and cause nausea.
Tooth decay
In high concentrations, the acid in lemon juice can wear down your tooth enamel and cause cavities. Make sure to add enough water to lemon tea to dilute this acidity.
Canker sores
Lemons may trigger canker sores or irritate existing ones, which can cause discomfort and make them take longer to heal.
Medication interactions
While research specific to lemons is inconclusive, some citrus juices interact with certain cholesterol and blood pressure medications.
Heartburn
Excessive consumption of lemon tea can alter the pH level of your stomach and intestine, causing acidic reflux where acid from your stomach moves up to your esophagus. This can cause a burning sensation in the chest and sometimes vomiting.
Dehydration
In extreme cases, lemon may work as a diuretic. That simply means it triggers dehydration in the body by a frequent urge to urinate. Consuming lemon tea quite frequently may prove dangerous and may cause dehydration in the body. Also, lemon tea is not very effective at restoring fluid balance after exercise-induced dehydration.
Unsafe for a pregnant woman
Pregnant women are advised against the consumption of lemon tea as it contains caffeine. Excessive consumption of caffeine may trigger miscarriage or other severe side effects.
Unsafe for lactating mothers
Women who are breastfeeding their babies should also steer clear of lemon tea. Yes, it is refreshing – just what an exhausted new mother needs. But the caffeine from the tea gets blended with the breast milk and the baby may become more fussy or irritable due to this.
Alzheimer’s
Studies have linked the intake of lemon tea with the chances of having Alzheimer’s disease in later stages of life. Regular intake of lemon tea may cause an accumulation of plaque in the brain, which has been linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s.
Stomach Problems
In some people, regular intake of lemon tea can cause stomach aches, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and even ulcer.
Lemon Tea Related Questions
Can I drink lemon tea every day?
Vitamin C is also beneficial for people battling a common cold and it is best said to amp up on vitamin C during seasonal changes to boost immunity. A regular dose of consuming lemon tea surely aids this and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as lowers the risk of a stroke.
Does lemon tea reduce belly fat?
Warm water with lemon in the morning is one of the most used and very effective remedies to get rid of belly fat. All you need is warm water, and a few drops of lemon, and if you would like, you can add a dash of salt. You even add a teaspoon of honey.
Is lemon tea good for the skin?
Lemon is rich in astringent properties, which makes it a superfood for the skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of the fruit also make the drink a good option to include in your diet. Lemon tea helps to control skin ailments such as pimples, acne, and eczema and improves your overall skin health.
Can I drink lemon tea at night?
Ginger and lemon can activate your metabolism; so why not combine them? Freshly brewed lemon ginger tea before bed not only improves your metabolism but works wonders for your immune system! Simply add a few slices of ginger and freshly squeezed lemon juice to a liter of hot water.
