Green tea is a popular drink that is enjoyed all over the world. Drinking green tea may be associated with a reduced risk of death from many chronic diseases, although research on its protective effects is inconclusive.
This tea is often paired with honey to reduce its bitterness and add sweetness to a delightfully hot drink. Honey may also offer some health benefits, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
This article covers the possible health benefits of drinking green tea with honey.
Nutritional value of green tea
Green tea, when mixed with water, is a beverage that has no calories, but is rich in nutrients, such as polyphenols and minerals, which are associated with many health benefits.
You can consume green tea in two ways: caffeinated and decaffeinated. While everyone reacts to caffeine differently, research suggests that moderate caffeine consumption may have benefits such as better concentration and a reduced risk of chronic disease.
Green tea and matcha – a type of tea made from the same leaves – are rich in antioxidants and other compounds that have been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurological diseases.
Drinking green tea may also reduce stress, which has mental health benefits. This effect may be related to the L-tinine content of green tea.
Early research on L-theanine, a compound found in green tea and other plant foods, suggests it may reduce anxiety and stress and is being investigated for other potential mental health benefits.
In addition to fighting stress, low-caffeine green tea has been shown to improve sleep quality, which can support better overall health.
Nutritional value of honey
honey It is a sweetener that has been used throughout history in many cultures as a natural remedy. It's made up mostly of carbohydrates, and 1 teaspoon has about 6 grams of added sugar and provides 21 calories.
Traditionally, honey has been used to treat everything from throat infections and asthma to eczema and wounds.
Research supports some of these uses, particularly in the treatment of upper respiratory infections and eczema.
Today, honey - especially raw honey - is attracting attention for its antioxidants. However, it is unclear whether the antioxidant content has any real health benefits.
Although honey may have more health benefits than other sweeteners, it is still sugar and should be consumed in moderation.
One study found that honey has a similar metabolic effect to white sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, but other research is conflicting.
So, when you add honey to your green tea, a small amount is enough.
The American Heart Association recommends keeping added sugar to less than 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men per day, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends keeping added sugar to 10% of your total daily calories. limit
Suggested study: Honey is a wonderful food
Health benefits of green tea with honey
Green tea and honey both individually offer some possible health benefits, but together they may offer even more.
Green tea with honey may help reduce cold and flu symptoms
Both hot tea and honey are known to reduce sore throat symptoms. But drinking green tea with honey may have more benefits than just soothing your throat.
Drinking green tea with honey can help manage symptoms and possibly reduce your risk of colds and flu, but it's not clear how much you need to drink to experience the benefits.
Research has shown a link between tea catechins – a compound found in green tea – and lower rates of the flu, as well as fewer symptoms. Honey may also help manage symptoms.
However, remember that green tea with honey cannot cure any condition.
The evidence is mixed on how much green tea should be consumed to see benefits in symptom relief. Some studies suggest consuming at least 3 cups per day, while others tested the catechin levels found in 10 cups of green tea.
Adding honey to green tea may make it more palatable by reducing some of the bitterness and making you drink more, which may help with hydration when you're sick.
Green tea with honey may be good for your teeth
It may come as a surprise that a sugary drink can be good for your teeth, but new research suggests that drinking green tea with honey may reduce the risk of tooth decay.
A small study found that drinking green tea and honey together reduced the bacteria Streptococcus mutans -- one of the causes of tooth decay -- in the mouths of young boys.
Other older studies have shown that honey may be better for your teeth than table sugar.
However, more up-to-date research is needed on how safe the drink is and whether there is a real protective effect.
Green tea with honey may help manage diabetes
When it comes to managing blood sugar, sugar-free drinks are the best option. However, a cup of green tea with honey may be safe—or even beneficial—for people with diabetes.
An older analysis of 17 studies found that green tea may improve insulin sensitivity and lower fasting glucose and HgA1C, important blood markers for diabetes.
In addition, several studies have shown that honey may be better for people with diabetes than other types of sugar.
However, more up-to-date research is needed before we can be sure that green tea with honey may have these benefits. We also need more research on whether drinking green tea with honey is safe for people with diabetes.
If you have diabetes, it is still recommended to limit added sugars, including honey.
Some tips about drinking green tea with honey
Green tea and honey appear to offer many potential benefits—both individually and when consumed together. However, there may be too many good things.
Green tea contains caffeine. Most people tolerate some caffeine well, but if you're sensitive to caffeine or pregnant, you may want to limit your intake to one or two cups a day. You can also try decaffeinated green tea.
The caffeine in green tea may disrupt sleep, so it's best to limit your intake to the afternoon or evening, unless it's decaffeinated.
In addition, it is recommended to keep added sugar consumption to less than 10% of your daily calories, which includes honey. Be careful how much you add to your tea and how many cups you drink per day.
bottom line
Green tea and honey both have potential health benefits, and drinking them together may be more beneficial.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants that may reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. It may also offer mental health benefits.
Honey is a sweetener that has also been used for medicinal purposes in the past. It may have benefits in soothing sore throats and treating eczema.
However, be aware of the caffeine and added sugar when drinking this drink. If you are sensitive to caffeine, use decaffeinated green tea or drink one to two cups daily with a little honey.
Just one thing
Try it today: Try different flavors of green tea or add a squeeze of lemon, fresh mint or a sprig of fresh ginger for a more delicious drink.
Source : healthline.com
