A reigning prince when it comes to healthy beverages, green tea is touted as the drink of the millennium. It is packed with umpteen benefits and thus the go-to option for fitness enthusiasts. Here, we dive deeper into what makes this amber-hued wonder so special…
Benefits:
- Delays signs of ageing
- Reduces inflammation
- Boosts in immunity
- Aids in weight loss
- Improves brain performance
- Reduces the risk of age-related ailments
When best to have it
As per Pavithra N Raj, Chief Dietician, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur, it is best to have green tea two hours before or after meals. The reason being, this drink can interfere with the absorption of nutrients such as iron. Also, refrain from drinking this beverage on an empty stomach as it can increase acid levels.
Green tea with a twist
For those who wince at the thought of sipping on regular green tea, there are some ways to spice it up…
Recipe 1: Iced Green Tea Mocktail with ginger zest
- 2 bags of Green Tea
- 20 gms of fresh ginger
- About 8 gms of pudina (mint) finely chopped
- Honey 3 teaspoons
- Juice of one lemon
- 500ml Water and some ice
Method: Slice the ginger into slender pieces and put it in a pan with 500ml water and bring it to a boil. Once done, remove from the gas and add pudina and drop in the tea bags too. Let it stay for 15 minutes. Strain the brew in a large jug adding lemon juice and honey to it. You can add sugar too. Amp up the sweetness or lessen it according to your taste. Give it a good stir. Keep the mocktail in the fridge. Serve in long glasses with crushed ice on the top and a sprig of fresh mint to add some pizzazz. Enjoy with friends and family.
Recipe 2: Green Tea with Lemon and Pomegranate
- Two bags of green tea
- Boiling water 2 cups
- One tablespoon of crushed ginger
- Lemon wedges
- Half a cup of pomegranate seeds
- 2 tablespoons honey
Method: Make a healthy concoction with green tea, lemon wedges, ginger, pomegranate arils. Once the water is boiling, remove the concoction from the heat and let it sit for a minute or two. Add honey, or any sweetner of your choice. Strain it out in a cup and enjoy it hot. This invigorating delight is ideal to pep up after a hard day’s work.
The beauty scoop…
For skin
This magical drink can help fight skin bacteria and leave you with an improved texture. Wipe your face with cotton dipped in green tea and leave it on for half an hour.
For hair
Green tea leaves help stimulate hair growth. Brew it and once it cools down, apply to the hair roots for half an hour and then rinse off.
Green Tea
Sink into the goodness of pure and unadulterated green tea! For those of you who prefer your cuppa unflavoured, then this one is for you. It appeals with a mild nutty and vegetal taste that lingers. For beginners, we suggest starting super light and then transitioning to a medium brew. Benefits of this variant include boosting immunity, weight loss, fighting free radicals and more.
Tusli Green Tea
Infused with the leaf of India’s sacred plant, this tea is ideal for those who crave for a touch of the holy herb in their green tea. Feel invigorated with its refreshing and warm flavour. And while you are at it, reap the many benefits of tulsi that include fighting common cold and cough, boosting the immune system and other medicinal wonders. Not to mention the powerhouse of antioxidants that you get when tulsi and green tea are combined!
Lemon Green Tea
Crave for that extra zest in your brew? Go lemon! This tangy delight is believed to boost natural antioxidants present in green tea, thus helping in preventing cell damage and more. Plus, when lemon is added, the chances of interference in iron absorption is reduced. Other benefits include aiding in weight loss, better digestion and improved immunity.
Mint Green Tea
Want freshness captured in a cup? Mint green tea is at your service. This variant will treat with a cooling and calming sensation even in a hot brew form. Plus, its minty taste reduces your urge to overeat. The other umpteen benefits include relief from digestive problems, getting rid of bad breath, reducing stress and boosting immunity.
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