Green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. The dried leaves and leaf buds of Camellia sinensis are used to produce various types of teas. Green tea is prepared by steaming and pan-frying these leaves and then drying them. Other teas such as black tea and oolong tea involve processes in which the leaves are fermented (black tea) or partially fermented (oolong tea).
Green tea is one of the oldest herbal teas known to man. It gained quick prominence in India 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..
Green tea is taken to improve mental alertness and thinking.
Instead of drinking green tea, some people apply green tea bags to their skin to soothe sunburn and prevent skin cancer due to sun exposure. Green tea bags are also used to decrease puffiness under the eyes, as a compress for tired eyes or headache, and to stop gums from bleeding after a tooth is pulled. A green tea footbath is used for athlete’s foot.
Some people gargle with green tea to prevent colds and flu. Green tea extract is also used in mouthwash to reduce pain after tooth removal. Green tea in candy is used for gum disease.
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 3 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:
Side Effects of Green Tea
Mild to serious headaches
Nervousness
Sleep problems
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Irritability
Irregular heartbeat
Tremor
Heartburn
Dizziness
Ringing in the ears
Convulsions
Confusion
Who Must Not Consume Green Tea?
Green Tea has been found to cause certain problems when taken excessively or cause problems to some people who suffer with certain ailments
1. Stomach Problems:
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 . It is best to drink green tea after a meal or in-between meals. People with peptic ulcers or acid reflux should not consume green tea excessively. A 1984 study concluded that tea is a potent stimulant of gastric acid, which can be reduced by adding milk and sugar.
2. Iron Deficiency:
Green tea seems to reduce the absorption of iron from food. Drinking very high doses can actually be fatal. The fatal dose of caffeine in green tea is estimated to be 10-14 grams (150-200 mg per kilogram). Green tea can also reduce the bioavailability of non-heme iron. A 2001 study reports that green tea extract reduces the absorption of non-heme iron by 25%. Non-heme iron is the primary type of iron in eggs, dairy and plant foods such as beans, so drinking green tea with these foods may lead to reduced iron absorption. However, Vitamin C increases non-heme iron absorption, so you can squeeze lemon into your tea or consume other vitamin-C rich foods, such as broccoli, with your meal. In addition, drinking tea between meals seems to have little effect on iron absorption, according to the National Cancer Institute.
3. Caffeine Caution:
Like all teas, green tea contains caffeine and excessive caffeine intake can lead to nervousness, anxiety, abnormal heart rhythm and shakiness. Some people have a natural low tolerance for caffeine, and they will suffer these symptoms even when ingesting small amounts. High caffeine consumption can also hinder calcium absorption, affecting your bone health and increasing the risk of osteoporosis. To help prevent caffeine-related problems, limit green tea intake to 5 or fewer cups per day
4. Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding:
Green tea contains caffeine, catechins and tannic acids. All three substances have been linked to pregnancy risks. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, green tea in small amounts, about 2 cups per day safe. This amount of green tea provides about 200 mg of caffeine. However, drinking more than 2 cups of green tea per day is unsafe and has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and other negative effects. Also, caffeine passes into breast milk and can affect a nursing infant. In addition, drinking a large amount may cause neural tube birth defect in babies.
5. Anaemia:
Green tea catechins can cause a decrease in the absorption of iron from food. If you have iron-deficiency like anaemia, the National Cancer Institute recommends consuming tea between meals. If you like to drink green tea with your meal, then studies show you should eat foods that enhance iron absorption. Foods high in iron include meats such as red meat and foods high in Vitamin C, such as lemons.
6. Anxiety Disorders:
The caffeine in green tea might is said to make anxiety worse
.7. Bleeding Disorders:
Caffeine in green tea might increase the risk of bleeding.
8. Heart Conditions:
Caffeine in green tea might cause irregular heartbeat.
9. Diabetes:
Caffeine in green tea might affect blood sugar control. If you drink green tea and have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar carefully.
10. Diarrhea and IBS:
The caffeine in green tea, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and symptoms of IBS.
11. Glaucoma:
Drinking green tea increases pressure inside the eye. The increase occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes.
12. 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.
13. Liver Disease
Green tea extract supplements have been linked to several cases of liver damage. Green tea extracts might make liver disease worse. Severe liver disease, as the level of caffeine in the blood may build up and last longer.
14. Osteoporosis:
Drinking green tea can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine. Caffeine should be limited to less than 300 mg per day (approximately 2-3 cups of green tea). It is possible to make up for some calcium loss caused by caffeine by taking calcium supplements.
Can People On Medication Drink Green Tea?
Green tea must not be taken along with these medications as it is known to cause negative reactions.
Highly Interactive:
Stimulant drugs like Amphetamines, Nicotine, Cocaine and Ephedrine.
How to Consume Green Tea?
Do not exceed your green tea intake more than 3 cups in a day. For the best health benefits, 2 to 3 cups is recommended. However, doses of green tea vary significantly, but usually range between 1-3 cups daily is considered safe. To make tea, people typically use 1 tsp of tea leaves in 240 ml 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 promote throat cancer.
Some people take green tea to prevent various cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, solid tumor cancers, leukemia, and skin cancer related to exposure to sunlight. Some women use green tea to fight human papilloma virus (HPV), which can cause genital warts, the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical dysplasia), and cervical cancer.
