Green Tea: Benefits and Risks – Who Should Avoid Drinking It?
In the past, we used to either visit someone’s home or have guests over without hesitation, and chai (tea) would arrive in its simple form. But over time, various options have emerged even in tea. When guests arrive, we ask them what type of tea they prefer – black tea, green tea, iced tea, masala tea, or regular tea. The first answer from most people is usually green tea, meaning people now opt for green tea because it’s available not only at home and office but also in cafeterias.
Finally… Green tea has sparked numerous discussions for a reason. Its many benefits appeal to a large segment of the population. Are there any drawbacks to consuming green tea? When is the best time to drink green tea? Can it be consumed on an empty stomach or at night? Many individuals ponder over these questions.
Question: How should we drink green tea? What are the benefits of drinking green tea?
Answer: Drinking green tea leads to body detoxification. Green tea offers relief from various health-related issues. It also reduces the risk of many chronic diseases and serious health problems.
Question: What is present in green tea that makes it beneficial?
Answer: Green tea contains numerous nutrients that prove beneficial for health. It’s rich in vitamins A, E, B5, K, riboflavin, thiamine, manganese, potassium, copper, iron, antioxidants, and polyphenols. Abundant in antioxidants, it boosts metabolism.
Question: Is it advisable to drink green tea on an empty stomach in the morning?
Answer: No, according to dietitians, it’s not necessary for everyone to consume green tea first thing in the morning. Some individuals may not tolerate drinking green tea on an empty stomach. Such individuals should avoid having green tea on an empty stomach in the morning.
Question: Many people add sugar to their green tea, is this a suitable practice?
Answer: Green tea has a bitter taste. In this context, many individuals drink it with added sugar. However, adding sugar to green tea eliminates any potential benefits it may offer.
Question: What can be added to green tea?
Answer: Green tea itself is highly beneficial, but adding certain ingredients can enhance its advantages. You can mix these ingredients into green tea:
- Honey
- Ginger
- Lemon
- Basil leaves
- Cardamom
Question: What is the ideal time to drink green tea?
Answer: You can drink green tea at times that suit your lifestyle.
- Before morning exercise, around half an hour before.
- Between 11-12 in the morning.
- Drinking before lunch, around 1 hour prior, is beneficial.
- You can have 1-2 hours after evening snacks.
- Avoid drinking green tea before sleeping at night, as it might lead to sleep disturbances.
Question: Who should avoid drinking green tea?
Answer: Green tea, rich in various nutrients, can be harmful to some individuals. These people, even inadvertently, should avoid consuming green tea.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: The presence of excessive catechins in green tea can potentially increase anxiety during pregnancy and harm the baby. Mothers who breastfeed should also avoid consuming green tea.
Glaucoma Patients: Glaucoma patients who drink green tea may experience increased pressure on the eyes, leading to potential harm.
Kidney Stone Patients: Green tea contains oxalates that could contribute to the formation of kidney stones, so individuals prone to kidney stones should avoid it.
Anemia Patients: Green tea interferes with the proper absorption of iron, thus it’s advisable for anemia patients to avoid drinking green tea.
Note: Individuals sensitive to caffeine should also refrain from consuming green tea.
Question: How many times a day can green tea be consumed?
Answer: You can drink green tea 3-4 times a day. Advising to drink more than this frequency is not recommended.
Question: Can excessive consumption of green tea have negative effects?
Answer: Consuming excessive amounts of green tea can have adverse effects on the body, including potential side effects.
Question: How should green tea be used for beneficial skin care?
Answer: Use green tea along with rose water for maintaining healthy skin. Rose water has soothing properties that keep the skin soft and hydrated.
When preparing green tea, add a bit of rose water to it when it cools down. Apply this mixture to your face with the help of a cotton ball. Afterward, rinse your face thoroughly. Within a few days, you’ll notice an improvement in your skin tone, and pimples will also reduce.
Note: Don’t solely rely on green tea for skincare.
Question: How to use green tea for hair care?
Answer: Green tea can help maintain healthy hair, reducing hair loss, preventing dandruff, and promoting stronger and cooler hair. You can use green tea for your hair in the following ways:
First: Prepare green tea and wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner.
Now apply green tea to your hair and massage your scalp gently with your fingertips. Then rinse your hair with cold water.
Second: You can also create a hair pack using green tea. Place a spoonful of honey in a green tea bag. Add a few drops of lemon juice to this mixture and mix it well.
Massage this mixture onto your scalp for about 10 minutes, then rinse your hair with cold water after a short while.
Note: Always perform a patch test before using any new hair treatment to ensure that you don’t have any adverse reactions.