Be Careful: These are the Side Effects of Drinking Green Tea!

Green tea is one of the oldest herbal teas known to man.

It gained quick prominence in the west after its purported health benefits, the most popular of them- as an effective tool for weight loss. Some of these health benefits have many studies backing them while some do not. Due to the positive spotlight, green tea has enjoyed, some green tea side effects are often overlooked. But it’s important to understand that Green Tea also has some limitations and a few of them are highlighted below.

The tannins present in the green tea increase the stomach acid which may cause stomach ache, nauseous feeling, or cause constipation. Thus, green tea is not consumed on an empty stomach in Japan and China.

Green tea is mostly safe for adults when consumed in moderation. Green tea extract is also considered to be generally safe for most people when taken orally or while being applied topically on the skin for a short period of time. However, drinking too much green tea, more than 5 cups a day is considered to be unsafe. The side effects of green tea are due to the caffeine present in it, which may include some or all of these symptoms:

Mild to serious headaches
Sleep problems
Nervousness
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Irritability
Irregular heartbeat
Tremor
Heartburn
Dizziness
Ringing in the ears
Convulsions
Confusion

Green Tea has been found to cause certain problems when taken excessively or cause problems to some people who suffer from certain ailments:

stomach problems
iron deficiency
caffeine intolerance
pregnancy and breastfeeding
anemia
heart conditions
bleeding disorders
anxiety disorders
diabetes
glaucoma
high blood pressure
liver disease
osteoporosis

CAUTION: GREEN TEA SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN TO CHILDREN!

The tannins in green tea may block nutrients absorption such as protein and fats in children. It may also lead to over stimulation because of the caffeine present in the green tea.

How to Consume Green Tea?

Do not drink green tea more than 6 cups of tea a day! For the best health benefits, 3 to 4 cups is recommended.

To make tea, people typically use 1 tsp of tea leaves in 8 ounces of boiling water. Drink green tea when it’s freshly made but slightly cooled. Scalding tea can damage your digestive system. Moreover, recent studies suggest that too much hot tea can trigger throat cancer. Compounds in tea like catechins, theanine, and vitamins C and B diminish over time through oxidation, so the health benefits are strongest with fresh tea. Old tea can also harbor bacteria, especially since its antibacterial properties diminish with time.