Try Green Tea and True Lemon for Weight Loss and Health

Few natural substances equal the powerful combined benefits of green tea and lemon. Green tea has been shown to boost the body’s metabolism and fight disease. And, when coupled with True Lemon, green tea’s strength increases dramatically.

Green Tea and Weight Loss

In studies, people who drank three to five cups a day for three months lost 4.6 percent of their body weight. Other studies show drinking two to four cups daily can burn an extra 50 calories, which equals about five pounds lost every year.

Compounds in green tea known as polyphenols help burn fat even when you are at rest. These polyphenols may even block the conversion of calories into fat. One study confirmed that the combination of green tea and caffeine improved weight loss and maintenance in overweight and moderately obese individuals.

Green tea also attacks fat through an amino acid it contains called L-theanine. L-theanine has a calming effect on the nervous system and can help reduce stress-related surges in cortisol, a hormone linked to fat storage, especially around the belly.

Green Tea Antioxidants Fight Disease

Green tea is unfermented, while black tea is fermented. Because fermenting lowers the polyphenol content and increases the caffeine content, green tea has more polyphenols and less caffeine than black tea.

Green tea’s healthful properties are largely attributed to these polyphenols, which have strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants scavenge and neutralize free radicals in the body that damage cells and DNA. Many scientists believe that free radicals contribute to the aging process as well. Free radicals occur naturally, but environmental toxins, such as radiation and cigarette smoke, also cause free damaging radicals to occur.

According to studies, antioxidants in green tea may help combat atherosclerosis and heart disease and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Several studies have shown that both green and black teas help protect against many forms of cancer. And animal studies suggest that green tea may help prevent or slow the development of type 1 diabetes.

Why True Lemon makes green tea healthier

Purdue University research found that adding citrus juice or vitamin C to green tea increases the amount of antioxidants available for the body to absorb by more than five times.

Because all natural True Lemon is cold-pressed, crystallized fresh lemons, you may use it in hot and cold teas with the same effect as fresh lemon juice. In consumer taste tests, True Lemon was preferred over fresh lemons 7 out of 10 times. Each True Lemon packet contains 25 percent of an adult’s recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C.

How to get the best results from green tea

In addition to adding True Lemon or lemon to boost antioxidants, you can also preserve the compounds in green tea that provide weight loss and health benefits by avoiding boiling hot water. Boil the water and then let it cool a minute or two before pouring into your teapot. Then, steep the tea one to three minutes to extract maximum antioxidants.

The longer the tea bags steep, the more health-enhancing compounds are released, however, the slightly bitter quality of green tea may also increase. Adding True Lemon will not only increase the antioxidant availability of the tea, but will add tart, refreshing flavor and decrease any bitter taste.

In summertime, another preparation method is to put the tea in a glass or pitcher of water and place it in the sun. The cold water will gradually warm, gently releasing the tea’s flavor and color.

Green tea is not for everyone

People with heart and kidney problems, stomach ulcers, psychological issues, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding should limit or avoid tea. And talk to your doctor about drinking green tea if you are taking any of these medications due to possible interactions: Adenosine, Antibiotics, Beta-lactam, Benzodiazepines, Beta-blockers, Propranolol, Metoprolol, Blood Thinning Medications (including Aspirin), Chemotherapy, Clozapine. Ephedrine, Lithium, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors,  Oral Contraceptives or Phenylpropanolamine.

Remember, green tea has less caffeine than black tea or coffee, but if you drink too much it can still affect your sleep. Caffeine intake for most people should not exceed 400 mg per day, and each cup of green tea after five minutes brewing has about 32 mg. caffeine.

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