Ms. Chang from Tianjin asks: I am 75 years old and in good health. I heard that drinking lemon water and green tea are both beneficial. Can these two be brewed together? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Regarding these questions, the editor will now explain why lemon and green tea should not be consumed together.
Lu Daping, Deputy Chief Technician of the Nutrition Department at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, explains: Both lemon water and green tea are excellent for elderly health maintenance. Lemon water contains abundant citrate, which inhibits calcium salt crystallization, thereby preventing kidney stone formation. It also stimulates appetite and quenches thirst.The catechins in green tea can lower levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in the blood plasma. Regular consumption by the elderly can help prevent cardiovascular diseases.
However, lemon and green tea should not be brewed together. The theophylline in green tea reacts chemically with the citric acid in lemon, causing both to lose their original benefits. Besides avoiding brewing with tea, lemon should also not be consumed with milk.It is recommended that seniors drink lemon water after meals or before bedtime, and tea during the day. Honey can be added to both.
However, note that individuals with oral ulcers should avoid lemon water; excessive consumption may increase stomach acid, irritating the gastric mucosa. Therefore, seniors with gastric conditions should limit their intake.Among green and black teas, black tea is generally more suitable for the elderly. Green tea undergoes minimal or no fermentation during processing, making it a cold-natured tea. Black tea, fully fermented, has reduced polyphenol content due to oxidation, which helps nourish and protect the stomach. During dry seasons prone to internal heat, seniors may moderately consume green tea to clear heat and quench thirst.
That concludes our discussion on why lemon and green tea should not be consumed together. We trust you now have a clearer understanding. Finally, we sincerely wish you good health and happiness.