Green tea is a healthy drink that has many benefits, but it can also cause side effects if you’re not careful how you drink it. In this blog post, we will discuss the best way to drink green tea without experiencing any negative side effects. Keep reading to learn more!
How To Drink Green Tea Without The Side Effects
Every day, more and more people are turning to green tea because of its many health benefits. Green tea has the ability to boost metabolism, help with weight loss, reduce cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, protect against cancerous cells among other things. However, despite all these beneficial properties many people do not wish to drink green tea for one reason or another.
The following are five reasons why drinking green tea may result in undesirable side effects:
1. Green Tea Leaves Contain Caffeine
Caffeine is found in varying amounts in all teas – but particularly in black tea which contains double the amount compared to green tea. Thus if someone wishes to avoid caffeine they should consider drinking decaffeinated green tea. Although there are people who can enjoy caffeine daily without any side effects, there are people who may be adversely affected by its use.
People who should avoid moderate to high intakes of caffeine include those with anxiety disorders, insomnia, osteoporosis, and cardiac palpitations. They should also avoid caffeine if they take certain medications including phenothiazines, corticosteroids, or oral contraceptives.
2. Green Tea Contains Tannins
Tannins are polyphenolic compounds found in green tea leaves which give the tea its astringent taste. There has been some debate as to whether tannin is safe for pregnant women since it may interfere with iron absorption and reduce glucose tolerance. If you fall into this category you want to limit your intake of green tea to no more than three cups a day.
3. Green Tea Contains Fluoride
The fluoride content found in green tea varies depending on the agricultural practices of the country where the tea is grown and how it is processed after harvesting. The FDA’s current recommended daily allowance for fluoride is 4mg but many people may experience side effects from drinking too much green tea if they have fluoride levels above 2mg per liter. Symptoms of excessive intake of fluoride include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea. If you suspect that you are suffering from this condition cut down your intake of green tea as soon as possible.
4. Green Tea Leaves Make Tea Tastes Bitter
Those people who do not like the taste of unsweetened green tea may be able to counter the bitterness by adding milk. However, some people should avoid drinking green tea if they are unable to sweeten it with sugar or honey because of the high content of oxalic acid in green tea leaves which can make them taste bitter.
5. Green Tea Leaves Have High Allergic Potential
Allergy to green tea is rare but when it occurs symptoms include dryness and irritation in the mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, and severe rashes on the face. If you experience any of these problems stop drinking green tea immediately until your doctor decides whether you have an allergy or intolerance to this kind of beverage.
Learn How To Prepare Green Tea Correctly
As seen on Oprah, Dr. Oz, and PBS! Green tea has long been celebrated for its many health benefits. Now you can drink this miraculous elixir with these 5 simple steps to learn how to prepare green tea correctly!
Use Good Quality Tea.
This may seem like an obvious step, but it is possibly the most important one in preparing green tea correctly. Always be sure to buy loose leaf organic green teas, as the leaves are widely known to absorb toxins from soil. If possible, buy directly from a farm or artisan producer who will tell you when and how the product was processed and packaged. Also, be aware that certain “blends” of green tea have other herbs mixed in which can affect taste quite drastically!
Know Your Water Temperature.
Next, the temperature of your water is paramount to making green tea correctly. Boiling water will burn leaves and destroy delicate antioxidants! Try using filtered or spring water instead for a good green tea infusion. The recommended temperature of your water depends on whether you want a green tea with more bite (i.e., stronger antioxidant effects), or a sweeter less astringent taste. To get a strong cup, boil water and let it cool for about 30 seconds before steeping. For a milder taste, allow your boiling water to cool down for about 3 minutes before adding the leaves.
Time Your Steep Correctly!
The timing of when you add your leaves is also very important to making green tea correctly. Allowing your leaves to steep for too long will release tannins and give the tea a bitter taste. You’ll want your steeping time to be 2 minutes, with an additional 30 seconds for each subsequent infusion.
Use the Right Amount of Leaves.
If you don’t use enough leaves, you won’t get as strong a cup as you could be getting! If it tastes too weak (and not like Oprah’s favorite kind of tea), simply step up your game and try adding more next time – but pay attention to this step carefully because too much is actually more than none at all!
Have Your Equipment Ready Before You Start Steeping!
One of the most important steps in preparing green tea correctly is knowing that water temperature and steeping times are not correct unless you actually have the right equipment. Steeper pots work best, as they allow your leaves to move around freely instead of staying in one place on the base of your teacup or mug! Green tea will also last longer if you use a lid with an infuser, instead of waiting until it cools down before placing the leaves (which by then, would be too late!)
Drink green tea in moderation
Green tea is one of the world’s most popular beverages, and for good reason. Packed with antioxidants, it has been shown to help fight heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Despite its health benefits, however, green tea can have serious health risks if you do not drink it in moderation. For this reason, many doctors recommend drinking no more than 2 or 3 cups a day.
- The first step to drinking green tea in moderation is to measure out a single teaspoon of tea leaves per cup that you plan on making. After steeping the leaves in hot water for several minutes, discard them so they don’t continue to steep and release their caffeine into your drink.
- Don’t add sugar to your tea. The caffeine in green tea may cause an increase in your blood sugar levels, which can lead to insulin resistance and eventually diabetes. If you drink green tea on a regular basis for several months, this could also have a negative effect on your long-term health.
- Don’t drink more than 5 cups of green tea a day. Many studies have shown that drinking too much green tea can raise cholesterol levels and affect liver function. In rare cases, excessive consumption of the beverage has been linked to liver damage and thyroid disease.
- Consider drinking decaffeinated green tea if you don’t want to give up the drink but would like to reduce its negative side effects. This option is especially helpful if you drink green tea in the late afternoon or evening since caffeine can interfere with your sleep cycle.
Drink Green Tea For Its Many Health Benefits
Due to the fact that green tea only undergoes partial fermentation, it contains higher concentrations of key beneficial compounds than black or oolong tea. These beneficial compounds are known as catechins and gallic acid, which are both powerful antioxidants.
1. Green tea can help you lose weight
One study found people who drank 5 cups of brewed green tea for 8 weeks had more polyphenols in their urine compared to those who drank less than 2 cups per day. The researchers involved speculated this was indicative of increased metabolism through the inhibitory effects of EGCG on an enzyme known as catechol-O-methyltransferase.
2. Green tea can lower your risk of cancer
Studies have shown that green tea has the ability to selectively kill off oral cancer cells while leaving healthy surrounding cells unharmed. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of EGCG are believed to be the underlying cause for this effect.
3. Green tea can help prevent neurological diseases
Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain that is formed by proteins called beta-amyloids, which are toxic to neurons. A study found that when combined with vitamin E, green tea extract could inhibit aggregation of these harmful beta-amyloids. EGCG has even been shown to help protect against stroke.
4. Green tea can promote healthy teeth and reduce tooth decay
Studies have shown that drinking green tea reduces the growth of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth by up to 57 percent and can also reverse the early stages of tartar buildup. Additionally, we know that it contains fluoride, which is a mineral known to prevent cavities and promote strong enamel on your teeth.
FAQ’s
1. Are there any side effects to drinking green tea?
Yes, there are some potential side effects to drinking green tea. For example, drinking too much green tea can lead to an overconsumption of caffeine, which can cause headaches, jitters, and other problems. Additionally, green tea contains a small amount of fluoride–an element that can be harmful in high doses. So it’s important not to drink excessive amounts of green tea or else you could experience some negative side effects.
2. What kind of green tea should I drink if I want to avoid the side effects?
There are a few different types of green tea that you can drink in order to avoid the side effects. You can drink Matcha green tea which is a powdered form of green tea. This type of tea is high in antioxidants and has been shown to have many health benefits. Another type of green tea that you can drink is the Green Tea Extract. Green Tea Extract is a concentrated form of green tea that is high in antioxidants and has been shown to have many health benefits.
3. What are some ways to make green tea taste better?
Some people find green tea to be bitter. However, there are ways to make it taste better. Some tips include adding honey, lemon, or milk. Another option is to drink it cold or iced. Additionally, choosing a high-quality brand of green tea can make a difference in the taste.