Green tea side effects are not a topic we often read about. Now, green tea benefits, that is in the news several times a day. But, just what are the side effects of green tea and how do they compare to the benefits of this tea?
The side effects of this tea are due to the caffeine contained it. Surprisingly, the caffeine contained in this tea is half that contained in coffee or other caffeinated beverages that are on the market today. Especially, the new energy drinks that are out on the market that are loaded with caffeine, green tea does not come close to these caffeine levels.
But, if you are an individual that is sensitive to caffeine, then some of the side effects of this tea you may experience are: restlessness, irritability, heart palpitations, loss of appetite, tremors and other caffeine related symptoms.
The benefits of drinking green tea start with several powerful antioxidants that help to reduce cholesterol and may even lower blood your pressure. You cannot go a day with out reading something about the powerful benefits of green tea. What centuries old medicine men and folklore have long since believed is now being proved in research laboratories everyday. Yes, the science is backing up myths with hard science and facts.
This type of tea is made from unfermented leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. The processing of the tea has been reported to contain the highest levels of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals, which are the compounds in the body that alter cells, tamper genetic material, and even cause cell death. There are many scientists that believe that free radicals contribute to the aging process. Scientists feel they also contribute to the development of a number of health problems, including cancer and heart disease. The antioxidants, such as polyphenols in tea, neutralize free radicals in the body and may reduce or prevent some of the damage to the body.
More on do tea side effects outweigh green tea benefits? You decide.
Some side effects of tea include upset stomach. The caffeine and polyphenols in the tea stimulate the stomach to release excess stomach acid. This causes the acid to spill up into the esophagus and give an individual a feeling of heartburn, gas and bloating. There are several steps you can take to prevent stomach upset when drinking green tea, such as drinking green tea at half strength or an aged oolong or pureh.
The polyphenols found in tea are twenty-five to one hundred times as potent as vitamins C and E. Did you know that just one cup of this tea provides more antioxidant activity than a serving of broccoli, carrots or strawberries? This activity dramatically reduces the damaging effects of free radicals. The health benefits of tea are reported to have anti aging properties, help with weight loss and weight maintenance, fight colds and have anti viral properties. A recent scientific study has shown that drinking green tea may help ward off Alzheimer’s disease.
Pregnant women should be cautious about drinking tea during the early months of their pregnancy. The caffeine, as with any other beverage can cause contractions and a miscarriage. It is also important to note that during pregnancy, mother to be takes a prenatal vitamin with extra folic acid in it. This is necessary to promote the development of a healthy and normal baby. Research has shown that green tea interferes with the proper absorption of the folic acid and can cause a birth defect. The studies showed that there was a very high incidence of birth defects due to folic acid deficiency in women that drank green tea in their first trimester.
Lastly, the health benefits of this tea are too numerous to count. From improving heart health, to lowering cholesterol, to fighting aging and cancer, green tea has been found to be good for you. Do tea side effects outweigh tea benefits?
That is for you to decide.
