Lemon In Green Tea Has ‘Measurable’ Effect

People have been using lemon to flavor tea for years.

And it turns out that was a good idea.

Mario Ferruzzi, assistant professor of food science at Purdue University, recently released a study that shows adding lemon to green tea doubles the amount of antioxidants the body has to absorb. The antioxidants, called catechins, are linked to reducing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and diabetes.

Ferruzzi said the catechins usually break down once in the intestines, but vitamin C, which can be found in lemons, stabilizes them and allows about twice as many to survive.

“You see a measurable increase in the amount that’s recovered,” Ferruzzi said.

Ferruzzi said typical green teas sold in the stores contain 100 milligrams to 200 milligrams of catechins, but the body absorbs only about 1 percent to 2 percent. He said making tea one-tenth lemon juice or vitamin C could significantly increase that.

His study covered only green tea, but he believes the discovery likely holds true for other tea antioxidants as well. Other citrus juices, such as orange, lime and grapefruit also worked, but to lesser degrees.

Rachel Campbell of West Lafayette said she’d start adding lemon to her tea since she drinks it to be healthy anyway.

“I’d try it,” she said. “It’s better than soda, coffee and all that.”

Campbell is one of a growing group of tea drinkers in the United States. The drink has picked up strongly since the mid-1990s.

Joe Simrany, president of the Tea Council of the USA, said sales of tea have increased from $1.8 billion in 1990 to more than $6.5 billion today.

“It’s increasing across the board, especially in ready-to-drink teas,” Simrany said.

Simrany said studies of tea have also increased, from about 30 per year in 1991 to more than 900 per year today.

He attributed that to the health benefits many associate with the drink.

Carrie Hawkins of Lafayette said she’s been a tea drinker for a long time.

“It’s better for you than coffee, and you can drink more of it than coffee,” Hawkins said. “There’s something about warming up with a hot cup of tea in the winter that’s just cozy.”

This article was taken from: jconline.com