7 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Tea
on May 15, 2024
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Get to know the health benefits of lemon tea, a soothing caffeine-free drink. Learn how it can fight oxidative stress, support immunity, and more.
Table of Contents
What is Lemon Tea?
Lemon is a citrus fruit that grows on trees. It’s native to Asia, specifically India. The fruit contains a lot of juice, which is tart and bright. It’s a staple ingredient in cooking, baking, and drinks, such as lemon tea.
A simple beverage, lemon tea is made of lemon juice, hot water, and a sweetener. You can also make it iced or with black tea for a caffeinated version.
RELATED: Lemon Iced Tea
7 Lemon Tea Health Benefits
1. Aids Hydration
One of the easiest ways to improve your health is to drink plenty of fluids. Your body needs fluids for many important functions, including metabolism, digestion, and nutrient absorption.
However, you don’t need to stick to plain water. Drinks like lemon tea can contribute to your fluid intake because they’re made with water.
Lemon juice also contains electrolytes, or minerals that balance the water in your cells. Examples include potassium and magnesium. Because of this, many people like drinking lemon tea first thing in the morning. It’s a tasty way to hydrate the body after sleeping all night.
2. Lowers Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress happens when harmful molecules build up in the body. These molecules can damage your cells, causing disease over time. Lemon tea can naturally reduce oxidative stress. The lemon juice contains antioxidants, which are compounds that protect your cells.
In lemon juice, examples of antioxidants include vitamin C and flavonoids. These nutrients make harmful molecules less dangerous.
Plus, if lemon tea is made with black tea, there will be even more antioxidants. Black tea contains powerful antioxidants called polyphenols.
3. Improves Skin Health
The vitamin C in lemon tea is so good for the skin. Vitamin C is needed to make collagen, the main protein in the skin. Collagen makes the skin strong and elastic. It also helps make new tissue, which is key for healing wounds and cuts in the skin.
The body can make collagen, but it produces less as we get older. Drinking this lemon tea is a great way to increase your vitamin C levels and support skin health.
Additionally, the hydrating effects of lemon tea are beneficial for the skin. Without enough fluids, the skin can look dry.
4. Supports Immune Function
Vitamin C is essential for immunity. However, the body can’t make vitamin C, so you need to get it through foods. Lemon juice, which is used in lemon tea, is an excellent source of vitamin C.
In the body, vitamin C helps white blood cells find and destroy bad germs. White blood cells are the main cells in the immune system.
The water content of lemon tea is beneficial too. Hydration affects the immune response, so drinking fluids can help keep you healthy.
5. Promotes Heart Health
The antioxidants in the drink will protect your heart from oxidative stress. This is important because oxidative stress can damage cells and tissue in the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease and heart failure.
The antioxidant flavonoids in lemon also work against inflammation, another factor involved in heart disease. Flavonoids even control the way your body processes lipids, such as fats. This can positively affect your cholesterol levels and improve your risk factors for heart disease.
6. Enhances Iron Absorption
Iron is an essential mineral. It’s needed to make red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen to all your tissues and organs. If your body isn’t absorbing iron properly, your organs won’t get enough oxygen. This can make you tired and fatigued.
Vitamin C, which is found in lemon juice, promotes the absorption of iron. It works by changing the structure of iron, making it easier for the body to take up. Specifically, vitamin C improves the absorption of non-heme iron, which is found in plants.
7. Contains No Caffeine
Lemon juice contains no caffeine. This makes lemon tea a caffeine-free drink, as long as it’s made without black tea. Because of this, lemon tea can be enjoyed any time of the day. You can drink it at night and still fall asleep without any problems.
The flavor of lemon tea is also bright and invigorating. For some people, this flavor can wake them up in the morning, making it a good alternative to caffeinated drinks.
If you’re sensitive to caffeine, or if you’re taking medication that interacts with caffeine, consider drinking lemon tea without black tea.
Side Effects
Lemon juice is highly acidic. This may damage your tooth enamel. If you have sensitive teeth or have issues with your tooth enamel, be careful when drinking lemon tea. To protect your teeth, consider drinking water after consuming lemon tea. The water will help reduce the acidity in your mouth.
If you’re prone to heartburn or acid reflux, lemon tea might not be the best drink for you. It’s more acidic than other teas. Acidic foods, such as citrus foods, can increase the risk of heartburn or acid reflux.
