Green Tea plus Lemon

In a study of more than 40,500 Japanese men and women, those who drank five or more cups of green tea every day had the lowest risk of dying of heart disease and stroke. Researchers attribute the protective effect to catechins, powerful antioxidants. Trouble is, less than 20% of these relatively unstable compounds survive digestion. To get more out of every cup, squeeze in some lemon juice. The vitamin C in lemons helps your body absorb 13 times more catechins than it can obtain from plain tea alone, according to a Purdue University study.

Sip to Your Heart's Content with the catechin boost from vitamin C, you can help your heart by drinking just one or two cups daily, If lemons make you pucker, squeeze in some orane, lime, or grapefruit juice; they increase antioxidant absorption, too, though to a lesser extent. Just skip the milk-it actually interferes with absorption-and stick to freshly brewed tea, hot or iced.

Source: Prevention "Fit Over 40"

How To Make A Cup Of Green Tea

1. Heat water: Use an 8oz cup of water for each cup of tea. Just before water reaches a rolling boil, remove from heat.
2. Add green tea: Use 1 teaspoon for each cup of water. Stir into water, or use a bamboo tea strainer or teabag.
3. Steep: Cover for 3 - 5 minutes per cup of water. No more than 3 minutes for white or green teas.

How To Make A Cup Of Herbal Tea

1. Boil water: Use one 8oz cup of water for each cup of tea. When water reaches a rolling boil, remove from heat.
2. Add herbs: Use 2 teaspoons herb for each cup water. Stir herbs into water or use a teaball or teabag.
3. Steep: Cover for 15 - 25 minutes per cup of water. When using bark or roots simmer for 10 minutes instead of steeping.