Side Effects Of Green Tea
Green Tea
The use of green tea in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
How Should I Take Green Tea?
The use of green tea in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
Green Tea Does Have Some Side Effects
Usually a cup of brewed green tea (6oz.) contains about 30 mg of caffeine. However green tea is much gentler on your body than coffee or black tea. Caffeine content is bound to the tannins in green tea.
You should use green tea cautiously if you have a weak heart, tendency to anxiety or panic attacks, kidney disease or a sensitive stomach.
If you drink more than 5 to 6 cups of green tea daily you may experience sleeplessness, irregular heart beat, dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite or other caffeine-related side effects.
Caffeine Causes Most Green Tea Side Effects
Caffeine
The side effects of green tea are mostly related to the caffeine it contains. Each cup of green tea has around 40 milligrams of caffeine (a cup of coffee has about 100 milligrams of caffeine). Too much caffeine from green tea may cause side effects such as difficulty sleeping, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, reduced appetite, diarrhea, or headache.
Pregnancy
Research indicates that pregnant women may want to limit their intake of green tea. The same compound that makes this beverage a great cancer fighter may interfere with the way our bodies absorb folate, a B vitamin that is important to proper fetal development. EGCG, an antioxidant found in vast quantities in green tea, attacks cancer cells by bonding with an enzyme called methotrexate.
Precautions
If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor before using this product: heart problems, intestinal problems (ulcers or GERD), kidney problems, psychiatric problems (e.g., panic attacks), allergies. Liquid preparations of this product may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence or liver disease.
