During these cold winter months, it’s more important than ever to support your immune system — and a little help during the warmer seasons can’t hurt either! Tea can be helpful in supporting your immune system because there are so many varieties available that incorporate ingredients which contain Vitamin C.
Vitamin C has been shown to help support a healthy immune system, so if you’re looking to add a little extra into your routine, you may be wondering which teas to reach for. Keep reading to learn more about the possible benefits of tea with Vitamin C, which ingredients tend to contain Vitamin C, and which teas we recommend to get the most benefit.
What Are The Benefits Of Tea With Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is a great way to fight winter colds. Because our bodies cannot produce this life-sustaining vitamin, it’s important to look for it in what we eat and drink. Vitamin C helps to support immune defence by supporting the cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Vitamin C can also help support a healthy inflammatory response, and you’ll find the best sources of this important vitamin in nature, so there are many ways to add a little extra Vitamin C to your routine. Adding a cup of tea with Vitamin C to your daily routine is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to do that!
“You might be familiar with how important Vitamin C is for your health and wellbeing, but did you know that it also is delicious in its natural form? While it can be helpful to add in a supplement, the most bioavailable Vitamin C comes from plants,” says Bevin Clare, Twinings’ Herbal Advisor. “One of its qualities is acidity, so you’ll find that most foods and teas with Vitamin C add a refreshing and tart flavour, such as with citrus or raspberries.”
The Best Vitamin C Teas
Twinings® Superblends® Immune Support+ with Vitamin C tea contains hibiscus and rosehips, which are among the richest herbal sources of Vitamin C. Plus, each cup of this warming drink is fortified with 27 milligrams of Vitamin C, which is over 25% of the daily recommended intake. Not only are these superfoods packed with Vitamin C, you also get the benefit of a variety of other vitamins and minerals. Tart teas can be perfect on ice, so it can be easy to make a large batch to keep in the fridge for a quick and refreshing glass of iced tea throughout the day (consume within 8 hours of brewing).
“Many children find the taste of Vitamin C-rich teas more palatable due to their juicy, tart flavour. These teas can be a great way to help support children during cold and flu season while introducing them to the deliciousness of herbal teas,” says Clare. “If you find the teas are too tart for your child, you can consider adding a little naturally sweet Vitamin C-rich juice (like cranberry or cherry) to the tea to help enhance flavour without adding refined sugar.”
While our immune support tea is fortified with an extra boost of the vitamin, there are also several ingredients that tend to contain Vitamin C you can look out for. Here are some of the most common Vitamin C tea ingredients:
Citrus
Citrus ingredients are typically quite high in Vitamin C. You can find citrus ingredients across a variety of Twinings blends, like Twinings Supportive Ginger which includes natural lime flavour and lime peel. If you have fresh citrus at home, you can try adding a slice or a squeeze to your tea for some extra delicious Vitamin C.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus flowers are a common ingredient in a variety of wellness teas because they contain Vitamin C. You’ll see hibiscus as a popular drink in many places around the world, and not only is it delicious and full of health benefits, it’s a beautiful ruby red colour and lovely in your glass. Hibiscus is such a well-loved ingredient that it’s included in all of our teas for immunity support: Twinings Immune Support+ Zinc, Twinings Immune Support+ Vitamin C, Twinings Immune Support+ Vitamin C Cold Water Infusions, and Twinings Supportive Ginger (which features white hibiscus.)
Berries
Berries are a beloved tea ingredient due to the bright, juicy flavour they add to the drink. They are also often high in Vitamin C. Elderberry is a frequent favourite for cold and flu remedies and is high in fibre, which helps support gut health and immunity. For an extra fancy touch, you can drop a frozen berry or two into your iced tea.
Ginger
Ginger has been used as an herbal remedy in Chinese and Ayurvedic traditions for centuries. The natural spiciness of ginger can help open nasal passages for easier breathing, so it’s great for helping to ease cold and flu symptoms. It’s the perfect tea when you feel like your digestion can use a little extra support, and a cup of tea after a meal can help calm and support digestion. Ginger tea can also be brewed longer than other teas, so if you enjoy your ginger stronger and spicier, you can experiment with how long you steep it. With ginger being high in Vitamin C, our Twinings Immune Support+ Vitamin C is a triple-hitter when it comes to the immune supporting vitamin thanks to ginger, Vitamin C, and lemon citrus.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass contains Vitamin C as well as a number of other vitamins and minerals. Its light citrus flavour is uplifting and energising, making it a great choice when you feel a little run down and need some refreshing, revitalising energy in your day. It is also beneficial for digestion support, which is extremely useful considering the link between immunity and gut health. Twinings Immune Support+ Zinc tea includes lemongrass and several other ingredients to help support your wellbeing.
Is Green Tea A Good Source Of Vitamin C?
Green tea does contain Vitamin C, but it’s such a small amount that the vitamin is usually depleted once the tea is brewed in hot water. That’s why Twinings Superblends Immune Support+ with Vitamin C is infused with an extra boost of Vitamin C, so you can brew it in hot water without losing its immune-supporting benefits. Plus, Superblends Cold Water Infusions Immune Support with Raspberry & Hibiscus is also rich in Vitamin C thanks to berries and hibiscus.
Help Support Your Immune System Using Tea With Vitamin C
When it comes to staying healthy, every little bit counts. Adding a cup of Vitamin C-containing tea to your daily routine is one of the easiest ways to help support your immune system and do your body good.
With our Master Blenders’ and Expert Herbalists’ 250 years of collective experience, Twinings teas for immune support incorporate fine, high-quality ingredients that have been trusted for centuries. We also offer the most enticing flavours available, so you never have to sacrifice great taste to enjoy a wellbeing drink. Check out our full line of wellness teas — each is carefully crafted to offer blends that taste great and do you good. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to learn more simple and delicious ways to support your health and wellbeing.