5 products that turn your tea into 'health elixir'
What is healthy to add to tea (photo: Freepik)
Tea is not just a warming beverage, but a true source of health benefits. And its properties can be enhanced by adding a few simple, readily available ingredients.
RBC-Ukraine reports what exactly you should add to your cup of tea to boost immunity, relieve stress, or improve digestion.
Mint
Chef and nutritionist Jackie Newgent explained that mint helps to relax and reduces stress and anxiety. Its aroma has a calming effect on the nervous system.
Additionally, it promotes bile secretion and reduces intestinal spasms. This helps with bloating, stomach heaviness, or nausea.
The essential oils in mint, especially menthol, also help clear the respiratory tract and ease breathing during colds or allergies.
Other studies have shown that menthol in mint has a soothing effect that can help reduce stress.
Fruits
The sweetness of fruits is far from their only benefit. Steeping tea with fruits also adds fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
All fruits provide plenty of antioxidants, especially seasonal ones at peak ripeness, as well as nutritional value and flavor. The best combinations are blueberries with black tea, peaches with white tea, and mango with green tea.
Fruit aromas can improve mood, reduce stress, and promote relaxation (for example, mint with lemon or apple with cinnamon).
Citrus juice or zest
Both orange and lemon zest, as well as their juice, not only enhance the taste of tea but also offer potential health benefits. Adding lemon juice to a cup of tea provides the body with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
Citrus peels also supply polyphenols, vitamin C, and a pleasant aroma.
There are studies linking citrus consumption with a reduced risk of lung cancer and neurological benefits thanks to citrus flavonoids.
Milk
Tea (especially black or green) contains tannins, which can irritate the stomach lining. Milk reduces this effect by coating the stomach, making the drink gentler.
Milk softens the taste of tea, especially if it’s very strong or bitter.
It also contains beneficial nutrients like protein, calcium, and B vitamins, which slightly increase the nutritional value of the drink.
According to research, besides reducing the bitterness of tea, milk may also lessen its impact on teeth.
Ginger
Ginger tea is a popular remedy for improving digestion. Even if you don’t have a ginger tea bag, adding a bit of ginger powder, extract, or fresh ginger can provide health benefits.
It’s best to drink tea steeped with ginger to potentially ease gastrointestinal issues.
Ginger also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties.
Additionally, if you’re feeling nauseous, a cup of ginger tea may help soothe the symptoms. Ginger tea can improve digestion, prevent stomach upset, and reduce vomiting.
The following sources were used in preparing this article: Everyday Health and Plumde Luxe.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
