Bergamot tea: beneficial properties and contraindications

The benefits and harms of bergamot tea is a question that many connoisseurs of classic tea ask. The bergamot drink is considered very useful, at the same time many myths are associated with it, and it is interesting to understand its real properties.

What is bergamot

Not everyone knows that bergamot is not a spicy herb, but an artificially bred citrus plant. To obtain it, breeders crossed an orange and citron - and got a fruit that combines their properties.

The bergamot tree grows mainly in the Mediterranean, in Italy, in some regions of America. Bergamot can reach a height of 10 m, the branches are covered with thorns, and the tree blooms with beautiful reddish or white flowers with a pleasant aroma.

Bergamot fruits are similar to lemons and limes at the same time - they are round, covered with a dense skin. The flesh of the fruit tastes sour and bitter, but the value of bergamot lies not in it, but in the skin of the fruit - and in the flowers and leaves of the plant. A useful and aromatic essential oil is prepared from the peel, along with dried leaves and flowers, it is added to black and green Chinese, Indian, Ceylon teas - to increase the benefits and enhance the taste.

The history of the origin of tea with bergamot

The birthplace of the bergamot plant is the Italian town of Bergamo, from which the fruit got its name. But many legends are associated with bergamot tea and its spread throughout Europe. But all of them, one way or another, assert that first tea came from China to England - and from there it came to other countries.

The most popular legend says that in the 19th century the Englishman Earl Gray saved a young Chinese nobleman from certain death. The boy's father, in gratitude, presented the Count with an unusual fragrant tea. Gray liked the drink, and he contributed to its spread in England, and the tea has since become known as "Earl Gray".

The chemical composition and calorie content of tea with bergamot

Currently, bergamot tea is not only black, but also green and white. However, the following substances are always present in the drink:

• vitamins C, B2, B1, P and PP;
• aldehyde citral;
• monoterpene camphene;
• linalool;
• caffeine;
• pantocrine acid;
• minerals magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium;
• tannins.

The calorie content of tea is extremely low and is only 2 calories per 100 g - it is impossible to gain weight on the drink.

Benefits of bergamot tea for men and women

The beneficial properties of tea lie not only in the invigorating taste and tonic effect. This drink:

• improves metabolism and helps the body to remove toxins faster;
• has a positive effect on appetite and promotes proper digestion of food;
• has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects;
• stimulates mental activity;
• has a good effect on the nervous system and helps to cope with stress;
• has a beneficial effect on the sexual functions of men and women;
• lowers blood sugar and protects blood vessels from harmful cholesterol.

Bergamot in tea for men helps to increase libido and helps to cope with inflammation of the genitourinary system.

Is it possible to drink tea with bergamot for pregnant and lactating mothers

Bergamot is not contraindicated for women in position - but it is very important not to exceed the daily allowance. Since this healthy drink contains caffeine, you cannot consume more than 2 cups a day, otherwise it will cause tachycardia, tremors, headache and heartburn.

Drinks are also allowed during feeding. The benefits of bergamot tea for breastfeeding are that it has a mild sedative effect, helps to cope with possible depression, and also increases lactation. But it is necessary to monitor the reaction of the baby - and in the event of an allergy, exclude healthy tea from the diet.

Bergamot tea for children

The tannins and caffeine found in all teas are harmful to young children. Bergamot tea is no exception, especially when you consider the strong tonic properties. Therefore, for the first time, you can offer a drink to a child no earlier than 12 years old - and no more than 2 cups a day.

The benefits of bergamot tea for weight loss

The benefit of bergamot tea for women is that the polyphenolic compounds in the drink promote the breakdown of fat cells - therefore, it is very useful on a diet. The drink contributes to the regulation of metabolism, with regular use, the body correctly distributes incoming calories.

But of course, bergamot tea must be combined with proper nutrition and exercise. Beneficial bergamot by itself will not lead to getting rid of those extra pounds.

Benefits and harms of bergamot tea for diabetes

Since the blood glucose does not rise from the drink, diabetics are allowed to consume it in moderation. But you cannot add sugar to tea with bergamot in case of illness - a sweetened drink will definitely harm.

Bergamot tea raises or lowers blood pressure

It is believed that the properties of bergamot are strongly reflected in blood pressure. However, clinical studies have found that the mere presence of bergamot in tea does not affect blood pressure in any way. Another thing is that hypertensive and hypotensive patients should be careful with any tea, including bergamot, and regulate the strength and temperature in order to avoid harm to the body.

Bergamot tea under reduced pressure

With hypotension, or chronically low blood pressure, it is recommended to drink healthy black tea - and best of all hot. A strong and hot drink always slightly raises the pressure, regardless of its composition, this also applies to tea with bergamot.

Bergamot tea with high blood pressure

But with hypertension, it is better to give preference to green varieties of the drink - or dark tea chilled. Then the pressure will not creep up, and maybe it will drop slightly, which will be of great benefit to hypertensive patients.

How to brew bergamot tea properly

The harm and benefits of black tea with bergamot largely depend on how the drink is brewed. If the technology is followed correctly, then the tea has a rich taste and a bright amber-honey color.

• Before you start making tea, you need to first scald a glass or ceramic teapot with boiling water - this will disinfect and at the same time warm up the walls.
• Then the tea leaves are poured into the kettle - its amount depends on the size of the vessel. If the kettle holds 200 ml of water, then the infusions take 1 teaspoon, if 400 ml - then 2 spoons.
• Pour boiling water over the tea leaves, cover the teapot with a lid and leave to infuse for 5 - 7 minutes.

Bergamot tea recipes

A classic drink is considered without additional additives - only black tea leaves, brewed in boiling water. But there are two interesting recipes for the summer and winter seasons that are very popular.

Summer tea with bergamot and lemon

In summer, fans of good tea are faced with a dilemma - they don't want to give up their favorite drink, but it is too hot to drink hot tea. In such cases, you can brew a drink according to the following recipe:

• tea is poured into a heated teapot - green is better, but black is also suitable;
• the tea leaves are poured with hot, but not boiling water - its temperature should be about 80 degrees;
• the drink is insisted for about 5 minutes, then the tea is poured into another dish and cooled in it to room temperature;
• the cooled tea is poured into ice molds and put into the freezer;
• while the drink is frozen, squeeze the juice of 4 - 5 lemons;
• lemon juice is mixed with a small amount of water, sugar is added to taste;
• the frozen tea cubes are removed from the refrigerator, crushed and added to the lemon solution.

A cold drink turns out to be not only tasty, but also healthy - and perfectly refreshes in the summer heat.

Bergamot tea to strengthen the immune system

In the cold season, another variation of bergamot tea will be of great benefit. Prepare the drink like this:

• dry tea leaves are poured into a heated teapot, poured with boiling water and insisted for 5 minutes;
• a small amount of spices are poured into another teapot - for example, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves - and they are also poured with boiling water;
• spices infuse a little longer than tea - for 15 minutes;
• after this time, the liquids are mixed with each other.

The resulting tea with the addition of spices can be additionally seasoned with 1 teaspoon of honey. The taste of tea with bergamot will become brighter and richer, honey will enhance the beneficial properties and help strengthen the immune system.

When and how best to drink tea with bergamot

In order to maximize the beneficial properties of tea, while not harming yourself, you need to use the drink according to certain rules.

• The total daily dosage should not exceed 4 cups of the drink. If the tea is used strong enough, then it is better to do with only 2 cups per day - otherwise, harm to the body and deterioration of health is possible.
• It is recommended to drink tea in the morning. The drink invigorates perfectly - in the morning this property will be beneficial, but in the evening it can prevent you from sleeping peacefully.

It is customary to add lemon mainly to a refreshing cold drink - it can spoil the taste of hot tea, completely drowning out the bergamot note. As for milk, it is not at all recommended to dilute tea with bergamot with it - this will negatively affect the taste.

Could you be allergic to bergamot tea?

Sometimes the properties of bergamot can cause severe allergies, the harm of which is manifested not only by rashes on the skin, but also by swelling of the nasopharynx.Acquaintance with a tea drink should start with small portions, and if you feel worse, immediately stop drinking.

Harm of tea with bergamot and contraindications

The beneficial properties of the drink, if used carelessly, can turn into harm. Contraindications for tea are:

• pregnancy and gynecological ailments;
• serious heart problems;
• renal failure;
• allergy to bergamot essential oil in the drink.

Do not exceed the daily intake of tea, as this leads to increased blood pressure and tachycardia.

Which bergamot tea is better: green or black

Which drink to choose depends on personal preferences and wishes. The benefits and harms of green tea with bergamot are determined by the fact that such a drink has a relaxing and calming effect. The properties of dark tea, especially strong tea, produce the opposite effect - it invigorates and tones. Accordingly, different types of beverage will be beneficial in different situations.

When to harvest and how to dry bergamot for tea

Healthy fragrant tea can not only be purchased at the store, but also collected raw materials for it yourself. Bergamot, or monarda, is often grown in garden plots.

A useful plant is harvested in mid - late summer - during the flowering period, from July to September. It is necessary to cut the stem of the monarda together with the flowers at a height of 30 cm from the ground, and then dry the grass in an open, but shaded place.

Dry bergamot is crushed, placed in paper bags or linen bags and stored just like any other herbal collection - in a dark and dry place.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of bergamot tea depend mainly on the volume of consumption. In small quantities, the properties of the drink will not be harmful - provided that there is no pronounced individual allergy.

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