Adding 69p ingredient to tea or coffee gives ‘health boost’

Most people start their day with a hot cup of tea or coffee, and often turn the kettle on without a second thought. But adding a splash of one ingredient could bring you an extra health boost without changing the taste too much.

Lemon juice, which provides vitamin C, can be stirred into a warm drink to help give it a slight citrusy kick. It can cost as little as 69p per bottle at supermarkets like Aldi, meanwhile, you could possibly buy lemons and squeeze them yourself as a more budget-friendly option.

But what does it actually do? Vitamin C is one of the essential nutrients that helps with several important bodily functions. According to the NHS, it helps protect cells, maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage, as well as helping wounds heal.

Citrus fruits are among the foods the NHS identifies as good sources of vitamin C, although the amount provided by a small splash of lemon juice will be relatively modest. Adults aged 19 to 64 generally need 40mg of vitamin C a day, according to the health service.

You could add a teaspoon of lemon juice to a mug once the tea or coffee has been prepared. The sharp flavour works particularly well in black tea or herbal tea, while coffee with lemon is a more unusual combination that will not appeal to everyone.

The NHS also recommends drinking regularly throughout the day, with six to eight cups or glasses of fluid a day given as a general guide. Tea and coffee can count towards this total, although caffeine should be consumed in moderation.

It is worth keeping expectations realistic, however, as lemon juice is not a cure-all or a replacement for a balanced diet. The NHS recommends getting vitamin C through a varied diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, rather than relying on one ingredient poured into your morning drink.

For anyone who enjoys the taste, a splash of lemon juice is therefore a simple way to change up a morning drink. At a relatively low cost, it can add flavour while providing some vitamin C to your daily diet.