Green tea is mostly safe for adults when consumed in moderation and not in excessive quantity. This tea extract is also thought to be generally safe for most of the people when consumed orally or applied on the skin for a short duration of time. However, consuming green tea in excess quantity (like more than 5 cups a day) can prove to be unsafe for health.
People who have low tolerance for caffeine can suffer even if they consume green tea in very less quantity. Such people should cut down consumption of green tea to not more than 2 cups per day.
Just like all teas, green tea has its share of side effects. Green tea contains caffeine; and thus excessive caffeine can lead to various health issues, some are mentioned below –
Stomach Issue: The tannins present in green tea can increase acidity in stomach that can cause nausea, stomach ache or constipation. So, for this reason it is always advised not to take green tea on an empty stomach. People with stomach issues like ulcers or acid reflux should not consume green tea excessively. Also, moderate temperature of water should be added while preparing green tea, as too hot water may cause an upset stomach or heartburn too.
Sleep troubles, Nervousness and Anxiety: Caffeine present in Green Tea exerts very apparent effects on sleep and anxiety which may vary according to individual’s sensitivity to methylxanthine. The caffeine blocks the sleep-inducing chemicals in the brain and increases sleep troubles.
Dizziness: The caffeine in the tea can decrease the blood flow to the brain, making you dizzy and also may lead to motion sickness.
Bleeding Disorders: Green tea contains caffeine which may increase the risk of bleeding.
Diabetes: Caffeine may interfere with the blood sugar control, so if you have diabetes and you consume green tea, you should monitor your blood sugar carefully.
High Blood Pressure: The caffeine may increase blood pressure in people suffering from high blood pressure. However, this does not seem to be the case for people who already have a habit of regular intake of green tea or any other caffeinated drinks.
Liver disease: Green tea extract supplements might worsen liver disease as the caffeine in the blood may build up and last longer.
Pregnancy and Infant health related risks: All three substances Caffeine, Catechins and tannic acids present in green tea have been linked to pregnancy risks. If you are pregnant or breast feeding then you should not be consuming more than 2 cups of green tea in a day. This amount of green tea is considered to be safe as it provides about 200 mg of caffeine. However, consuming more than 2 cups green tea per day can lead to increased risk of miscarriage. Drinking a large amount of green tea if you are breast feeding may cause neural tube birth defects in babies. The caffeine present in green tea passes into breast mink and can have bad effects on a nursing infant.
You don’t have to quit or avoid drinking your favorite cup of green tea, but if you are suffering from any of the above medical conditions, then you need to consult your doctor about how many cups of green tea you can have per day.
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No, if green Tea taken in enough quantity, then it will not have any side effect on health.