Green tea is one of the most popular beverages, consumed by millions around the world. Known for its benefits, green tea is often praised as a healthy drink. Due to its light and herbal characteristics, it is generally considered a smart choice for weight management and a healthy replacement for caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea.
However, drinking green tea without understanding your body can backfire, especially if not consumed in moderation. Having 2-3 cups a day after meals or on an empty stomach helps you with your fitness goal, but going overboard can cause troubles. These symptoms can vary from sleep issues to stomach problems, side effects of green tea are more common than you think. In this blog, let’s explore the common green tea side effects.
When to Avoid Green Tea?
On average a cup of green tea contains about 50 to 90 mg of caffeine. Which can boost alertness, improve focus, and enhance physical performance. It is also a good source of antioxidants like polyphenols. All of these elements can be helpful if taken in small doses, but too much can disturb your body’s natural balance. Many people think green tea is completely harmless. But side effects can appear if taken without care, especially if you drink it at the wrong time or in large quantities. Here’s when you should avoid sipping green tea:
- Avoid during pregnancy
- Avoid green tea with medicines, as they may cause harmful reactions.
- Avoid completely if having any abdominal issues.
- If having bladder issues.
- Avoid drinking green tea before bedtime.
7 Common Side Effects of Green Tea
Green tea is mostly safe to consume and can be beneficial in weight loss and building immunity. However, like every other health supplement, too much intake can trouble your body function significantly. Following are the top green tea side effects, along with the tips to prevent them.
Stomach Issue
Green tea contains a substance called tannins. Too much green tea can increase acid levels in your stomach. Especially if you drink it on an empty stomach, you may feel bloated or uneasy. It can also lead to acid reflux or nausea. And yes, loose motions too. If your tummy is already sensitive, better to skip that early morning cup or reduce the strength.
Tip: Avoid drinking green tea first thing in the morning. Green tea works best when taken after meals.
Caffeine Overload
Just like coffee, green tea also contains caffeine. Sipping more than 3-4 cups a day can cause headaches, jittery feelings, or dizziness. This is particularly important for those suffering from migraines and taking green tea along during workouts or as a pre-workout supplement.
Tips: Limit your green tea intake to 2 cups a day.
Increase Iron Deficiency
Green tea can affect your body’s ability to absorb iron. So if you have low iron levels or are already diagnosed with anaemia, avoid drinking green tea. This is a major concern when it comes to green tea side effects for females, especially during menstruation or pregnancy.
Tips: Adding a few drops of lemon in your green tea can improve iron absorption. Also, it’s important you do not consume right after meals.
Increased Hair Fall
One of the side effects of green tea on hair is related to nutritional imbalance. If it blocks iron or calcium, your hair may turn weak or start falling. Too much caffeine can also affect hormone levels that play a role in hair growth. Green tea is not directly harmful to hair, but overuse may create hidden deficiencies.
Tips: A regular health checkup can help you maintain a nutritional balance in your body.
Make Your Skin Dull
Caffeine can cause dehydration, strange but true, excess green tea can lead to dry skin. It can also reduce nutrient absorption, important for your skin health. If your skin is turning patchy or looks dull, try cutting back on green tea.
Tips: Drink enough water if you are having green tea regularly.
Flux Stomach Acid
Most people believe having green tea during fasting provides you nutrition, which is not true. In fact, it can lead to constipation and nausea. The stomach acid increases due to green tea tannins.
Weakens Bones
Green tea can affect your bone health, as it can increase the amount of calcium flushed out in urine. If you are suffering from osteoporosis, green tea can increase the risk of bone fracture and bone density.
Tip: Limit green tea, exercise regularly, and take a calcium rich diet.
Just like everything else, moderation is key with green tea too. Whether your goal is to achieve a certain physique or to just fit, a cup of green tea can be beneficial. Drinking a cup of green tea post meal can boost your digestive health and immune system. But overdoing it can lead to unwanted side effects from sleep issues to iron loss. So, listen to your body and sip smartly. Let green tea be a part of your routine, not a problem in it.
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