Tea is an important beverage in most households. You need to pour milk and boiling water into the tea leaves and have your tea with delight. Tea has its origin from north Burma and south-western China, where people employ it as a medicinal drink. It then spread to other east-Asian countries. It became a regular drink from around the 3rd century CE.
The names of tea are dependent on the places of their origin, such as China, Ceylon, Japanese, Indonesian, and African tea. It is also known by smaller districts, like Darjeeling, Assam, and Nilgiris from India; Uva and Dimbula from Sri Lanka.
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What is Green Tea?
China is known to originate green tea. However, it has reached other countries in East Asia for its production and manufacture. Green tea is one of the many different types of beverages in the world. It offers many health benefits to consumers. It does not go through the same withering and oxidation process as used in the case of black tea and oolong tea. It is the most widely consumed beverage all over the world after water. Green tea holds a significant and old place in Japanese culture.
The 8 best types of green tea
- Japanese Sencha Green Tea
- Matcha Green Tea
- Jasmine Green Tea
- Genmaicha Green Tea
- Longjing Green Tea
- Gunpowder Green Tea
- Gyokuro Green Tea
- Mint Green Tea
In comparison to other green tea, Matcha is much healthier. You can find catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in green tea. Catechins, present in green tea, are natural antioxidants that prevent cells from destruction and also provide other health benefits.
Apart from the background, green tea derives distinct benefits from other tea.
However, a dominant question people face is, that is, it ok to drink green tea on empty stomach?
What are the side effects of green tea?
What are the other health benefits that it provides?
How is green tea helpful?
Green tea is among the finest beverages on Earth. It has numerous antioxidants, bioactive compounds, and other components. It may prove to be relevant when consumed regularly. It yields respite from multiple ailments and disorders.
Here are the various health benefits of green tea that can help you maintain your health.
Green tea contains antioxidants
Green tea contains polyphenol antioxidants, which include catechin known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). These antioxidants provide various health benefits. It also aids in the working of tissues. Catechin prevents the cells from damaging and molecular destruction.
It removes harmful chemicals or cell-damaging free radicals. It also prevents DNA damage and blocks the risk associated with tobacco and other chemicals.
Also Read: Best Time To Drink Green Tea: Easy Green Tea Time Table
Boosts brain function
Green tea has the amino acid L-theanine, which helps to act synergistically with caffeine. Green tea helps to fight depression and other health problems. As compared to regular tea, green tea contains more theanine that acts as a tranquilizer on depression thoughts. Drinking green tea not only makes people alert but also boosts brain function.
Caffeine is the active ingredient in green tea, which is a common stimulant.
Reduces body fat
Green tea does not contain any sugars. As a result, it helps in maintaining the usual calorie level in the body and keeps away extra fat, which you may gain, if you drink sweetened beverages. It may also increase the metabolic rate, which helps in burning fat quickly.
Caffeine may boost physical performance by removing fatty acids from fat tissues and make it useful as an energy source. It advances the metabolism arrangement that is most important in conquering body blubber.
Lowers cancer risk
Powerful antioxidants in green tea, reduce cancer chances. It helps in decreasing the chances of breast cancer, stomach, prostate, bladder, and lung cancer. It may also prohibit tumor cells to grow in the body. It also benefits from other chronic diseases like heart diseases and diabetes.
Green tea aids the production of healthy cells in the early stages of cancer.
May reduce bad breath
Green tea generates a lower risk of bad breath, as it has catechins, which inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, which are responsible for throat infections and dental problems. The catechins are antibacterial agents that heal every infirmity from regular influenza to other chronic ailments.
It also benefits patients with asthma and breathing problems. Green tea is very vital to control the bad breath in humans.
Green tea prevents many diseases
Green tea helps prevent many cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Green tea maintains the lining of blood vessels in the change of blood pressure. It also helps to control and regulate blood sugar levels and prevent a spike in insulin.
Green tea helps to lower the LDL cholesterol level in the body and raise the HDL level. It reduces the risk of heart problems.
Should You Drink Green Tea On An Empty Stomach?
Experts consistently say that excess intake of green tea can cause various negative effects on health like- dehydration and, more and when you drink it on an empty stomach, it can produce a disturbance or irritation sort of feeling in the gut system. Moreover, an element, known as tannins, which you can only see in green tea binds, master the mineral absorption and evokes difficulties for the old. It also contains caffeine which is not appropriate to consume green tea on an empty stomach.
Therefore, experts recommend to intake it in between meals and not immediately after or before meals. You must always drink it after 2-3 hours of having a meal. You can also take it before 2 hours of sleep.
However, green tea has always been interpreted as a wonder drink, then how is it deemed to have side effects when devoured on an empty stomach?
Does it add to the health risk?
Is it ok to drink green tea on an empty stomach?
Also Read: What Does Green Tea Taste Like? Does Your Cup Of Green Tea Taste Bad?
Green tea has several positive effects on a human’s mind and body when consumed at proper timings. However, doctors have mentioned in various reports not to consume green tea on an empty stomach. The negative effects may take a toll on human beings’ health and lead to great issues in the long run.
Drinking Green Tea on an Empty Stomach Side Effects
Here are some negative effects of green tea when consumed on an empty stomach.
Caffeine Overdose
Overconsumption of green tea is harmful to health. Like the other varieties of teas, green tea also contains a high dose of caffeine and if over consumed, it can lead to health issues like headaches, irritability, a rise in anxiety, heartburn, and many others.
Therefore, doctors advise taking green tea at a low dosage and at the right intervals of time.
Can cause stomach upsets
If green tea is consumed on an empty stomach, then it can prime to stomach upset. The green tea contains polyphenols, which are known as tannins, which increase stomach acid content and eventually lead to stomach ache, nausea feeling, hot burning sensation, and sometimes even constipation.
Iron reduction in the body
Green tea contains catechins, which are known to boost metabolism and also help reduce weight. However, if consumed excessively, then it can cause iron absorption in the body. The situation can even worse for those who already suffer from iron deficiency and other ailments.
Can cause dehydration
Green tea has a diuretic nature, which causes the body to release water. So, if green tea is consumed regularly on an empty stomach, then it can cause extreme urination, which leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in the body. It can further cause lethargy and fatigue.
Can cause problems to people on medications
Green tea consumption on an empty stomach can be helpful for people who are fit and are not under any medications, but it is not safe for people under medications, especially the old.
If you combine green tea with antibiotics, asthma medications, stimulants, or any sort of drugs, then it can lead to poison and cause liver damage.
Cause Bleeding disorders
If you drink green tea on an empty stomach in the early morning, then the body receives its negative impacts more than its medicinal properties. Moreover, it reduces the level of protein and does not allow the oxidation of fatty acids because of its antioxidants. This leads to thinner blood consistency.
The topic of green tea consumption is a trending debatable topic for centuries. People who use green tea for weight loss, take it as a health drink, as they strive to get rid of extra fat, or obesity-like problems. It is also known for boosting the metabolic rate in the body and improving the immune system and improving the digestive system.
Still, many questions remain unanswered on what is the exact time to consume green tea, whether early morning empty stomach or in between meals, so that we attain all of its medicinal benefits and enjoy it to the fullest.
Therefore, the question drink green tea on an empty stomach depends on the health of an individual. An individual must have full knowledge of his body and health obligations. He must also be aware of the advantages and health risks of consuming green tea. If a person is suffering from severe ailments and is on multiple medications, then he must never consume green tea on an empty stomach. This is so because the results can turn out to be catastrophic for the individual.
Green tea is very efficient and is one of the greatest health beverages gulped worldwide. Though it has some negative results when drunk on an empty stomach, yet it solely cannot be put upon tea. It also depends on the health and immunity of the individual.
There are some other side effects of green tea that can cause harm whether taken on an empty stomach or not. These may cause problems for the health of all the people. Thus, the right consumption pattern is necessary for deriving various benefits of green tea.
Disadvantages of having Excessive Green Tea
The side effects and disadvantages of green tea are as follows:
Green tea causes stomach problems
The amount of acid is increased in the stomach as green tea contains tannins. Due to excess acid, digestive issues like constipation, nausea, and acid reflux occur. When taken on an empty stomach, it irritates the consumers. It can also cause liver damage or anxiety issues.
Green tea causes headaches
It contains caffeine which may give a headache to certain individuals. The excess of caffeine is bad. It causes many health problems and issues. These may include sleeping disorders, anxiety, irritation, nervous infections, etc. Thus, it is imperative to take not more than three cups of green tea in a day.
Sleeping problems
It is a new trend, especially among youngsters to drink green tea at night. However, it can harm their health. Green tea has chemical compounds which prevent the release of melatonin, a hormone that aids in sleep. It also contains caffeine that resides and disturbs the sleeping pattern in humans.
Iron deficiency and anemia
Iron absorption in the human body is hindered by the antioxidants present in green tea. It can have dangerous side effects on people suffering from anemia or some other iron deficiency diseases. It helps in reducing weight and boost metabolism. However, excessive consumption can reduce iron absorption in the body. You can lower this effect by adding some lemon juice to it.
Apart from the benefits, green tea has many side effects as well. However, they may not affect much with the guidance of a peculiar consumption structure. The consumption pattern, dietary requirements, intake quantity, etc. all affect the impacts of green tea. It also has some anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it the healthiest beverage.
However, you must not consume it with an empty stomach at any cost, as it may prove to harm your health. Thus, it is not ok to drink green tea on an empty stomach.