9 health benefits of green tea and 11 reasons to avoid it

Green Tea: The refreshing, antioxidant-rich beverage that’s good for the body and mind

Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which is also the source of black tea, white tea, oolong tea, and pu-erh tea.

Green tea is a type of tea that is made from unoxidized leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is native to East Asia and has been consumed for centuries for its health benefits. Green tea is a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body against damage from free radicals. It also contains caffeine, which can help improve alertness and cognitive function.

Green tea is available in many different forms, including loose leaf tea, tea bags, and bottled tea. It can be brewed hot or cold and can be enjoyed plain or with added flavors.

Here are some of the health benefits of green tea:

• May help boost the immune system: Green tea contains antioxidants that can help protect the body against damage from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to the development of chronic diseases.
• May help improve heart health: Green tea contains catechins, which are antioxidants that have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• May help prevent cancer: Green tea contains antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage that can lead to cancer.
• May help improve cognitive function: Green tea contains caffeine, which can help improve alertness and cognitive function.
• May help with weight loss: Green tea contains caffeine and catechins, which have been shown to help boost metabolism and promote fat burning.

Green tea is a healthy and delicious drink that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a good source of antioxidants and other nutrients that can help boost the immune system, improve heart health, and prevent cancer.

Here are some tips for brewing green tea:

1. Use fresh, cold water.
2. Use one teaspoon of loose leaf tea or one tea bag per cup of water.
3. Steep the tea for 3-5 minutes.
4. Enjoy hot or cold.

Benefits of drinking green tea:

1. Weight loss: Intensifies the level of oxidation of fat and it increases metabolism.

2. Diabetes: Regulates blood sugar level and prevents insulin spikes.

3. Heart disease: Prevents heart disease by working on the lining of blood vessels and prevents formation of blood clots.

4. Prevents cancer: Thought to have the potential to kill the cancer cells with out damaging the healthy cells around them.

5. Cholesterol: Improves the ratio between the good and bad cholesterol and reduces the level of bad cholesterol.

6. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s – Delays the deterioration of brain cells and restore damaged cells.

7. Anti-bacterial – Rich in anti- oxidant catechin that can fight against throat infections and tooth decay. It is also found to have anti – viral properties.

8. Anti – depressant – contains theanine an amino acid, that is very relaxing and has a tranquilizing effect

9. Anti- aging: Rich in anti -oxidants and has anti – inflammatory properties. Hence effective for skin care. Source: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html

Interactions of Green tea

1. Interacts with amphetamines and can stimulate the nervous system. Caffeine in green tea can also speed up the nervous system and can cause serious side effects.

2. Interacts with cocaine and can have a stimulant effect.

3. Interacts with ephedrine and can have stimulating effect.

4. Caffeine in green tea can block the effect of adenosine.

5. Quinolone antibiotics can interfere with the metabolism of caffeine

6. Contraceptives can interfere with the metabolism of caffeine

7. Bortezomib an anti -cancer drug can interfere with caffeine metabolism

8. Cimetidine can interfere with caffeine metabolism

9. Caffeine can interfere with the metabolism of Clozapine

10. Caffeine can interfere with Dipyridamole.

11. Disulfuram can interfere with caffeine metabolism

12. Caffeine in green tea can interact with estrogen

13. Fluvoxamine can interfere with caffeine metabolism

14. Caffeine can interfere with Lithium

15. Caffeine in green tea can interfere with asthmatic medications.

16. Green tea can increase the risk of liver damage when taken with hepato- toxic drugs.

17. Green tea can interact with anti-coagulants

18. Caffeine in green tea can interact with nicotine

19. Caffeine in green tea can interact with pentobarbital

20. Caffeine in green tea can interact with Phenylpropanolamine.

21. Caffeine in green tea can inhibit Riluzole metabolism

22. Caffeine can interfere with Theophylline

23. Caffeine can interfere with Verapamil

24. Caffeine can interfere with diabetic medications

25. Caffeine can interfere with Fluconazole

26. Alcohol can interfere with caffeine metabolism

27. Mexiletine can interfere with caffeine metabolism

28. Terbinafine can interfere with caffeine metabolism Source: http://www.rxlist.com/green_tea-page3/supplements.htm

29. Tannins in green tea can inhibit iron absorption Source: http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/green-tea-and-iron.html

30. Tannins can interfere with calcium absorption Source: http://www.findwholeness.com/blog/diet-and-nutrition/drinking-tea-causes-anemia-low-calcium/

31. EGCG can interfere with folate usage by cells. Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/251972-negative-benefits-of-green-tea-for-dieting/

32. Green tea can interact with MAOI drugs. Source:https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb-interaction/possible-interactions-with-green-tea

33. Green tea can interact with a whole list of drugs and herbs. Pls check the source below. Source: http://reference.medscape.com/drug/camellia-sinensis-camellia-thea-green-tea-344486#3

34. Can possibly interact with corticosteroids.

35. Can interact with methicillin or Beta Lactum antibiotics

36. Interaction with selective estrogen response modulators and aromatase inhibitors – under study. Source: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=49kLK--eumEC&pg=PA93&lpg=PA93&dq=green+tea+polyphenols+on+drug+metabolism&source=bl&ots=glebqsvt9h&sig=eWhokUZ5XqtYDc1yKYTSbtwILmA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tu--U6cIkbryBYSmgfAH&ved=0CEMQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=green%20tea%20polyphenols%20on%20drug%20metabolism&f=false

37. Green tea can interact with herbs like Ginseng, mate etc. Source: http://www.botanical-online.com/english/tea-green-contraindications.htm

Health conditions to avoid green tea

1. Pregnancy and breast feeding

2. Anaemia

3. Anxiety disorders

4. Bleeding disorders

5. Heart conditions

6. Diabetes

7. Diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome.

8. Glaucoma – Green tea can increase the pressure in the eye.

9. High blood pressure.

10. Liver diseases.

11. Osteoporosis Source: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-960-GREEN%20TEA.aspx?activeIngredientId=960& activeIngredientName=GREEN%20TEA

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