Green tea is a healthful superfood that has swept the globe. It was first utilized as a medicinal herb in China. It has now evolved into a nutritious elixir that millions of Americans consume on a daily basis. Thousands of studies on its efficacy in healthcare have been done by scientists and researchers to far. It is generally regarded as one of the safest and healthiest beverages to consume.
When drinking green tea, however, there are a few things to bear in mind. There are a number of side effects, albeit most of them are uncommon. The majority of these negative effects impact people who are caffeine or tannin sensitive. When it comes to tea, the majority of people have few, if any, adverse effects. Those who do encounter negative effects should drink in moderation and avoid the drink if they are caffeine sensitive. Continue reading to learn more about Green Tea Side Effects, its benefits, and how to drink it safely.
About Green Tea
Green tea, like other real teas like black, white, and oolong, is manufactured from the Camellia sinensis plant. It’s one of the few real teas that hasn’t been overly processed. Green tea, like all other genuine teas, contains caffeine. It has been used in Ayurveda (Indian medicine) and traditional Chinese medicine for millennia to treat everything from fever to heart problems.
Green tea has a long list of health advantages, including weight loss, cancer prevention, and blood pressure reduction. It’s also been linked to the prevention of neurological illnesses including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Green tea has also been advertised as a caffeine-free substitute to coffee for those trying to cut down on their intake. This is because green tea includes L-theanine, an amino acid that helps to control blood sugar levels and decreases caffeine absorption. This balances out the energy boost and prevents jitters.
Green tea has been shown in studies to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL cholesterol and enhancing blood vessel flow. Green tea’s anti-inflammatory effects are mostly responsible for these benefits. Green tea use over time has also been linked to a lower risk of various cancers, including prostate cancer. Green tea is a popular weight loss supplement that helps you lose weight by speeding up fat oxidation. Green tea also aids in the removal of free radicals that can cause oxidative stress. Reduced insulin sensitivity, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, and numerous types of cell damage have all been linked to oxidative damage.
Chemical Make Up
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), l-theanine, potassium, iron, calcium, and caffeine are the primary chemical components in green tea. Green tea has roughly 35 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup, which is considered mild. Green tea’s l-theanine is responsible for the smooth, consistent release of caffeine without blood sugar rises. Green tea is high in b vitamins, tannins, and folic acid.
Also, see the Best Time to Drink Green Tea for Weight Loss.
Production
To prevent oxidation, green tea leaves are picked and roasted. To prepare regular green teas, the dried leaves are rolled, or ground to make matcha green tea. Green tea is divided into two types based on whether it is produced in China or Japan. During the drying stage of the production process, Chinese green tea leaves are roasted. Green teas with this flavour profile are toasted and woodsy. During the drying process, Japanese green teas are steamed. Green teas from Japan are more vegetal, flowery, and sweet than green teas from China. Herbal teas frequently employ both types of green tea as a foundation.
Side Effects of Green Tea
While it is generally considered safe for adults to drink tea, there are a few adverse effects to be aware of. The majority of the negative effects of green tea can be prevented by drinking it in moderation. Many of these negative effects occur only when large volumes of tea are drank, which most tea consumers do not do. It would be difficult for most people to consume the amount of green tea required to cause these negative effects.
However, people who are allergic to particular components in green tea should avoid drinking it. Caffeine is the major component of green tea that triggers reactions in people who are sensitive to it. It’s vital to note that the small level of caffeine in green tea is responsible for the most of these negative effects. In general, if you can consume a cup of coffee without experiencing these symptoms, you’re unlikely to have bad reactions to green tea.
Read Also: Chamomile Tea Side Effects, Benefits and Uses
1. Stomach Issues
When brewed excessively strongly or on an empty stomach, green tea can induce stomach irritation. Green tea includes tannins, which might cause your stomach acid to rise. Constipation, acid reflux, and nausea are all symptoms of too much acid in the stomach. Green tea can increase these negative effects if it is brewed with too hot water. Use water that is between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit to make your green tea.
When drank in high quantities, green tea can also cause diarrhoea. Caffeine has a laxative effect because it increases the contraction and release of colon muscles more often. This causes you to go to the bathroom more frequently, which can upset your stomach. Green tea should be avoided if you have irritable bowel syndrome. Green tea should not be consumed on an empty stomach to avoid these negative effects. Instead, drink a cup of green tea after every meal. Green tea should be avoided if you have acid reflux or stomach ulcers because it can exacerbate acidity.
2. Headaches
Green tea includes caffeine, which can cause headaches in some people. Migraine sufferers should drink green tea on a regular basis. If you have everyday headaches, however, you should avoid drinking green tea every day. Green tea should be avoided if you are caffeine sensitive.
3. Problems Sleeping
Green tea includes caffeine, which is an anti-sleep chemical. Green tea has very little caffeine, but it can still cause sleep issues in caffeine-sensitive people. This is because the chemical ingredients in green tea inhibit the release of sleep-inducing hormones like melatonin. Green tea also includes l-theanine, a substance that aids in relaxation while also increasing alertness and focus, which may interfere with sleep for certain people.
Read Also: Hibiscus Tea Side Effects for Health
Some research suggests that l-theanine can help people sleep better; however, these studies have mostly been done on people with disorders like ADHD and schizophrenia. Additional research suggests that l-theanine may help people sleep by inhibiting glutamate receptors in the brain. These benefits may be outweighed by the presence of caffeine in green tea—particularly in matcha green tea.
While research shows l-theanine is beneficial for sleep, there is no agreed upon dosage for it’s effectiveness in the medical community. While most people may benefit from a cup of green tea before bed, people with caffeine sensitivity should consume it no later than 5 hours before bed.
4. Anemia and Iron Deficiency
Green tea includes antioxidants that prevent the body from absorbing iron. This side effect can be more severe for those who have anemia or other diseases that cause iron deficiency. developed anemia. Add lemon to your tea to avoid this negative effect. Lemon’s vitamin C boosts iron absorption, counteracting this negative effect. Alternatively, one hour before or after a meal, green tea can be consumed. This allows your body to absorb iron without being hampered by tannins. Green should be avoided as a precaution.
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5. Irregular Heartbeat and Blood Pressure
Green tea has been linked to irregular heartbeat in few small studies. This is a rare adverse effect, and additional research is needed to determine the exact components that cause the heart rate to rise. While evidence suggests that drinking tea can help lower blood pressure, certain studies suggest that green tea may still have an effect on blood pressure in some people.
Green tea’s caffeine content was observed to raise blood pressure in one study. Green tea may interact with certain blood pressure medications, including Corgard, according to another study. If you have a history of heart illness, see your doctor before drinking green tea.
6. Bone Health
In sensitive individuals, excessive use of green tea raises the risk of bone disease such as osteoporosis. Green tea compounds limit calcium absorption, causing bone health to deteriorate. If you’re at risk for bone disease, stick to 2 to 3 cups of green tea each day. If you consume more than that, you should consider taking a calcium supplement to help maintain your bone health.
7. Vomiting
Green tea use in excess might cause nausea and vomiting. Because of the way proteins bond in the intestines, green tea includes tannins, which have been associated to nausea and constipation . If you’re a regular tea drinker, don’t consume more than 4 cups of green tea every day. Start with 1 or 2 cups of green tea per day if you’re new to it, and see how you react. Increase your intake only if there are no negative side effects.
8. Dizziness and Convulsions
When drunk in high amounts, the caffeine in green tea might make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Caffeine causes motion sickness by reducing blood supply to the brain and central nervous system. Green tea might cause convulsions or confusion in some people.
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Green tea drinking has been linked to an increase in tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. If you have tinnitus, stay away from green tea. Green tea should always be consumed in moderation and should be avoided if you are caffeine sensitive. According to research, the maximum acceptable dose in humans is equal to 24 cups of green tea. As previously said, the majority of these negative effects are uncommon and only occur when large amounts of the substance are eaten.
9. Bleeding Disorders
Green tea can cause bleeding issues in certain people . Green tea contains compounds that lower fibrinogen levels, a protein that aids in blood clotting. Green tea also inhibits the oxidation of fatty acids, which can cause blood to become thinner. Green tea should be avoided if you have a blood clotting condition.
10. Liver Disease
Green tea supplements and excessive green tea use might cause liver damage and illness. This, according to experts, is due to a build-up of caffeine, which can stress the liver. Avoid drinking more than 4 to 5 cups of green tea each day to avoid this adverse effect.
11. Risks for Pregnancy and Child Use
Tannins, caffeine, and catechins in tea have all been related to an increased risk of miscarriage. Green tea is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, according to experts, in small doses. Caffeine is given to infants through breast milk, so keep track of your intake with your doctor. More than two cups of coffee per day can cause miscarriage and birth abnormalities in children. Make sure you don’t consume more than 200 milligrams of caffeine every day.
Final Notes
Green tea has a few side effects to be cautious of, but the FDA considers it safe when consumed in moderation. The caffeine component of the beverage is responsible for the majority of these undesirable side effects, which only occur when large amounts of the beverage are consumed. If you’re caffeine sensitive, stick to the suggested doses and stay away from green tea.
If you have any illnesses that put you at risk for bad consequences, talk to your doctor before drinking green tea. Aside from that, drink green tea in moderation or take a green tea extract to reap the health benefits. For convenience, you can steep loose leaf tea or use tea bags.
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FAQ’s
What are the negative side effects of green tea?
Green tea use in excess can result in headache, nervousness, sleep disturbances, vomit, diarrhoea, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, and convulsions, which can be harmful and even fatal.
What happens if I drink green tea everyday?
Green tea is high in components that are beneficial to one’s health. Green tea can help you lose weight and lower your risk of various diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer*, if you consume it on a regular basis. Drinking three to five cups of green tea each day appears to be the most beneficial to one’s health.
Who should not drink green tea?
Precautions: Green tea should be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under the age of two, and persons with renal ailments, heart conditions, stomach ulcers, and psychiatric problems. It should also be avoided by people who have glaucoma, anemia, liver illness, osteoporosis, or diabetes.
Can we drink green tea empty stomach?
Some people enjoy the beverage so much that they drink it first thing in the morning. While the tea’s benefits is undeniable, is it safe to drink it on an empty stomach? The answer is, of course, no. Drinking green tea on an empty stomach might have a harmful impact on the body.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of green tea?
Green tea can induce stomach distress and constipation in some people. In rare circumstances, green tea extracts have been linked to liver and renal issues. When eaten by mouth over an extended period of time or in excessive dosages, green tea is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Because of the caffeine, it may induce negative effects.