Green tea absorbs better with acid added

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The Trouble with Green Tea

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Lower Your Risk for Chronic Diseases

By RealAge

Did you know that most of the free-radical fighters in green tea never make it

to your bloodstream? But there's a solution.

To get a better grasp on the healthy catechins in your green tea, flavor your

cup with a squeeze of citrus juice.

Green Tea Booster

Catechins -- the antioxidants in green tea famous for lowering your risk of

chronic disease -- quickly lose their power in your intestine. In fact, as much

as 80% of the catechins in green tea are never absorbed. The solution to

boosting absorption, researchers recently found, is as simple as flavoring your

tea with freshly squeezed and strained lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit juice.

Taking Tea with C

The vitamin C in citrus may help with absorption by increasing the acidity in

your small intestine. Other unidentified substances in the juice probably lend a

hand, too. Researchers found a 50-50 mix had the greatest catechin-preserving

effect, and lemon did it best, closely followed by orange, lime, and, in last

place, grapefruit.

It's Not All Bad News

If you do take steps to boost the power of your green tea, you may even get a

few added benefits.

It may help you lose weight. At least one study shows green tea can stimulate

moderate weight loss.

It may help keep your knees young and strong -- catechins fight inflammation and

arthritis.

It can help your skin look great if used in conjunction with an antioxidant

cream. Dab it on.

It can help you stay sharp -- try 2 cups a day to see benefits.

RealAge Benefit: Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or

supplements can make your RealAge 6 years younger.