Benefits of green tea for the body. All properties and possible harm. How often can you drink green tea Green tea is a source of youth

Green tea is a source of health and longevity; in Eastern countries it has always been considered a healing drink. In Russia, most people drink black tea, but green varieties are also beginning to spread throughout the country. Unlike black tea, green tea contains a large amount of catechins - substances that have antioxidant properties, prolong life, slow down aging, protect blood vessels, and prevent the development of diabetes. Green tea also contains polyphenols, which lower blood cholesterol levels, break down fat, and speed up metabolism.

The fluoride contained in the tea strengthens teeth and prevents the development of caries. Also, this drink has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and, which help with infectious and dysbacteriosis. Tea removes toxins and metal salts from the body.

You can continue the list of beneficial effects of green tea for a long time, but you can talk about its benefits only if you drink high quality tea, brew it correctly and limit consumption.

Strongly brewed green tea for people with nervous exhaustion, it can lead to insomnia and loss of strength, it is also undesirable to drink this drink for those who suffer. It is not recommended to drink large amounts of tea during pregnancy, there is evidence that the abuse of green tea is harmful for people who have pressure problems.

How often and how much to drink green tea

No need to give up this drink just because it has some harmful properties, as its beneficial qualities outweigh them several times. To reduce the harm from green tea to a minimum, you need to follow a few simple rules. Firstly, do not brew very strong tea - such a drink has a large amount of caffeine and has a harmful effect on the nervous system. Secondly, doctors say that you can drink no more than ten cups a day - in fact, this is a large amount, so it’s easy to follow this rule. It is important to choose high-quality brands of tea, preferably large-leaf, not in bags.

Tea bags can also be good, but it is more likely that tea waste is mixed in paper bags along with tea leaves.

It is also undesirable to drink green tea on an empty stomach, as it irritates the gastric mucosa, but after eating this drink only stimulates digestion. Do not drink medicines with tea, as it removes chemicals from the body and thereby reduces the effect of the pills.

Drinking tea is always appropriate, it warms well in the cold season and perfectly quenches thirst in the heat. Properly prepared drink can fight ailments. You should know what effect green tea has on the body - the benefits and harms of the substances that make up the product, when it is necessary to use a fragrant drink, and under what circumstances it is desirable to refuse it, and how to brew tea leaves correctly.

What is green tea

The product is dried leaves of an evergreen shrub, which is grown for industrial needs in China, Japan, India, on the island of Java. Fresh leaves are oval in shape. To obtain green and black tea, the same raw materials are used, but there are differences in the technology of their manufacture. Dried black leaves are obtained after deep fermentation (oxidation).

The green tea production process is distinguished by the use of gentle technology. Steam helps to stop oxidative processes, which are treated with fresh leaves for 2-3 minutes. Then moisture is removed - crumpled and twisted into scales, balls (pearls) or spirals, and then dried until cooked to stabilize the aroma, taste and useful properties of the product. For elite varieties, the first harvest is used.

Compound

The use of special technology makes it possible to obtain a high-quality tea product, which is distinguished by a wide variety of chemical composition:

1. Among the organic compounds, tannins are released, which affect the taste of the drink. The bouquet of aroma is provided by a combination of essential oils. Alkaloids (theine), catechins (tannin), amino acids have a beneficial effect on health.
2. The useful microelements included in the composition have a positive effect on life processes: calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, fluorine, phosphorus, iodine, copper.
3. Tea leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, P, which improve metabolic processes.

Benefits of green tea

What properties does green tea have - the benefits and harms of the chemical composition of the product for the body? Due to the content of useful components, the unique drink is characterized by the ability to:

1. Stimulate the process of digestion.
2. Play the role of a prophylactic in the fight against the formation of dental caries due to the content of fluoride.
3. To have the effect of a drug - to fight cancer, as it is an excellent antioxidant due to the presence of tannins, catechins and tannins. They bind third-party proteins, heavy metals, free radicals and remove them from the body without damaging healthy cells. Vitamin C and zinc reduce the risk of cancer.
4. Improve the condition of nails, hair, accelerate the healing process of wounds due to the presence of zinc.
5. Stimulate the work of the nervous system. Vitamin P, calcium, phosphorus are necessary for normal brain activity, theine plays the role of a stimulant.
6. Increase human performance - the product contains caffeine (theine). The caffeine alkaloid is in a bound state with tea tannin, therefore it has a stimulating effect on the body, but milder than caffeine.
7. Reduce the risk of thyroid disease due to the presence of iodine.
8. Provide antimicrobial effect. This property is provided by the contained catechins. Tannin promotes healing of ulcers, but tea leaves should be weak.
9. Remove toxins. Thanks to its cleansing properties, the product increases the body's immunity, reduces the risk of any diseases.
10. Have a diuretic effect, reduce tissue swelling.
11. Reduce the risk of developing eye disease due to the content of vitamin A and C.
12. Maintain normal smooth muscle. This property provides the presence of zinc.
13. Facilitate the treatment of inflammatory processes due to the content of copper.
14. Help with toxicosis and seasickness. In these cases, it is recommended to chew dry leaves.
15. Increase the acidity of the stomach, stimulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract.

For women

The product is considered a longevity drink. The benefits of green tea for women are as follows:

1. Prepared masks based on tea leaves or frozen green tea extract perfectly tone the skin of the face, increase its elasticity, tighten and even out the contour well.
2. As a means of stimulating metabolic processes and cleansing the body, improving the activity of the digestive tract, the aromatic drink promotes weight loss.
3. The drink is able to improve the general condition of a woman in menopause, it is recommended to use it as a prophylactic in the fight against breast cancer.

For men

What are the benefits of green tea for men? The drink contains manganese, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive system and the musculoskeletal system, with its participation the hormone testosterone is produced. The stimulating effect of caffeine when drinking strong tea helps to increase the efficiency and resistance of the body to stress. The presence of antioxidants make green tea a valuable tool for normalizing blood pressure and preventing prostate cancer.

For the liver

The cleansing properties of the drink with its moderate consumption have a positive effect on the functioning of the liver and gallbladder, vitamins P and C contribute to the improvement of their activity. It should be borne in mind that the product includes polyphenols. With excessive consumption of the drink, significant amounts of these substances can have a destructive effect on the liver.

For the kidneys

The benefits of green tea for the body are achieved by properly brewing the leaves and drinking the drink. It acts as an adsorbent of toxins - removes them from the body and helps cleanse the kidneys. At the same time, the polyphenols contained in tea leaves can harm the kidneys. They promote the formation of purines. This leads to the formation of kidney stones if green tea is abused.

For vessels

Proper use of the drink can improve the condition of the cardiovascular system. These beneficial properties of green tea are provided through the following processes:

1. Vitamin C thins the blood, facilitates its movement through the vessels and reduces pressure.
2. Potassium strengthens the heart muscle.
3. Vitamin P increases vascular tone, and tannins strengthen them. Antioxidants stimulate metabolic processes, prevent the accumulation of harmful cholesterol in the capillaries. All these processes normalize blood pressure, so a cup of tea is useful for the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system: atherosclerosis, coronary disease, hypertension.

Is green tea with milk healthy?

Opinions about the usefulness of tea with milk are controversial. It is believed that with this combination, tea helps the body absorb the beneficial substances of milk. It is recommended to drink a drink: with depletion of the central nervous system, lactating women to increase lactation. There is an opposite opinion that milk neutralizes the beneficial effect of tea antioxidants (catechins).

How often can you drink green tea

The benefits and harms of green tea for the body depend on the quality of the product, the method of brewing and the frequency of use. To get the effect of drinking the drink, the following conditions must be observed:

• buy a fresh and high-quality product;
• you need to brew tea leaves with clean water, heated to 60-90 degrees;
• do not drink a cup of tea on an empty stomach and in the evening;
• do not combine the use of drink and alcohol;
• do not take medication;
• do not drink too strong or hot drink.

19/01/2020

Green tea is a miracle drink, a product known for its medicinal properties for over 4,000 years. Perhaps the most mysterious and amazing of drinks.

Few people know that the source of green tea is the same tea bushes from which black, red, and yellow teas are obtained. The difference between them lies in the way the leaves of the bush are processed. Green tea is not subjected to fermentation and withering, through which black tea necessarily passes. Thanks to this, green tea retains a maximum of healthy substances.

What exactly are the substances? What is the chemical composition of green tea leaf? How useful is green tea? We tried to answer these questions below, guided by the results of research by scientists from the world's leading universities and laboratories.

The chemical composition of green tea

Tannins

They make up about a third of the composition of green tea. They are various compounds of tannin, polyphenols, catechins and their derivatives. Green tea contains about twice as much tannin as black tea. High-grade green tea is especially rich in this substance. The combination of tannin with caffeine forms caffeine tannate, it is the latter that stimulates the nervous and cardiovascular systems, causing rumors about the dangers of green tea.

alkaloids

The amount of caffeine in green tea is about 1-4%. The figure even exceeds that of natural coffee. Its exact content depends on the size of the tea leaf (small leaves contain more caffeine), growing conditions, processing method, temperature of the brewing water (hotter water increases the amount of caffeine in the cup). In addition to caffeine, green tea also contains other alkaloids such as theobromine and theophylline, which promote vasodilation.

Amino acids and enzymes

If we talk about the presence of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, then tea contains only such protein substances as amino acids and enzymes. The best protein composition can boast of Japanese varieties of green tea. Green tea is a low-calorie product, so you can drink it without worrying about gaining extra pounds. The calorie content of green tea without added sugar is close to zero, in extreme cases, it can equal ten calories in one cup.
In 100 g of the product: proteins 20 g, fats 5.1 g, carbohydrates 4 g. Calorie content 141 kcal.

vitamins

Green tea leaves contain four times more vitamin P than citrus fruits, and a large amount of vitamin C. These vitamins are known to mutually reinforce each other's healing qualities. They enhance immunity and protect cells from destruction. In addition, green tea contains six times more provitamin A (carotene) than carrots. A carotene is known to enhance the elimination of free radicals and is good for vision.

An important place in green tea is occupied by B vitamins. Vitamin B1 regulates the carbohydrate balance of the body. Vitamin B2 helps fight bacteria and viruses, helps strengthen nails and hair. Vitamin B3 enhances the production of red blood cells and reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Green tea is also rich in vitamin E, which strengthens cell membranes and has an antioxidant effect on the body. In addition, this vitamin has a positive effect on the human reproductive system.

Trace elements and minerals

We are talking about calcium, fluorine, iron, iodine, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, gold, sodium. Tea leaves also contain essential oils, however, most of them are lost during processing. In their place come new compounds that make the drink especially tasty and aromatic. In addition, a special essential oil of green tea is produced from tea leaves, which is actively used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes.

Green tea is a real treasure trove of precious medicinal properties. It is no coincidence that the Chinese treat them with 400! diseases and is considered a natural miracle doctor.

Benefits of green tea

The rich chemical composition of green tea determines the unique medicinal properties and allows you to give a detailed answer to the question of how green tea is useful.

Green tea - bio-, immuno-, energy stimulant

• Green tea is excellent biostimulant, vitamin and energy drink. It is an elixir of cheerful, positive mood and well-being.
• Periodic consumption of green tea has a positive effect on the immune system, prevents the occurrence of chronic diseases, promotes the destruction of bacteria.
• It has a powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effect, especially in the early stages (problems such as salmonella, Helicobacter pylori, influenza virus and herpes simplex, candidiasis).

Green tea - oncoprotector and "orderly", eco-product No. 1

• Renders antioxidant action and actively fights cancer (in Japan - an indispensable element of any anti-cancer diet). However, the anti-cancer mechanism of action of green tea is not well understood. Some researchers associate it with the blood-purifying properties of the product, in particular, the ability of polyphenols to remove carcinogens. At the same time, tea improves immunity, which is also important for the prevention of cancer.
• Green tea removes salts of heavy metals - lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc and even strontium-90 (the most dangerous radioactive isotope) - and other slags from the body.
• Green tea is able to some extent to neutralize the negative effects of various radiations. If you spend a lot of time at the computer or in front of the TV, then green tea is your drink. The product is very much loved by adherents of the eco-diet.

Green tea - a drink of youth, longevity, beauty

• Among the centenarians who have crossed the 90-year threshold of life, there are many who constantly consume green tea - a longevity drink that is included in all healthy nutrition systems.
• Green tea ideally regulates metabolism, being. In China, they are treated for obesity. Flavonoids regulate blood sugar levels with an insulin-like effect.
• There are studies confirming that tea reduces the risk of hip fracture in older women.
• Green tea extract is actively used in cosmetology, as it has the ability to keep the skin young and healthy, improve complexion and, being a powerful antioxidant, generally slow down the aging of the body, including visible, aesthetic. Green tea is a real drink of youth and beauty.

It is very good to rinse oily hair with green tea. And with a vascular network on the face and with dry fading skin, a black tea brew mask is excellent, which, after cooling, should be applied thickly for half an hour on the face, then washed off and greased with a fat cream. Very refreshing and toning ice cubes from a strong infusion of green tea, to which you can add lemon juice (if the skin is very dry, then a little).

There are hundreds of such recipes. Some are recorded in the monuments of medieval Chinese literature - for example, about the sexual secrets of emperors.

What is useful green tea for the nervous and endocrine systems of the body

• A cup of green tea = headache pill. Benefits of green tea antidepressant, it can be considered a real cure for a nervous system exhausted by stress.
• Drinking green tea helps to activate the brain and focus. Tea is one of the essential components, not so much drinking as chewing fresh and dried leaves).
• Green tea with milk is a good prophylactic for nervous "burnouts" and polyneuritis. (See the recipe in the article ").
• The benefits of green tea are also obvious in some diseases of the endocrine system, but! the high content of iodine calls into question the usefulness of green tea (for thyroiditis, for example), research results are contradictory.
• In order not to get sick in the car, chewing dry green tea helps with seasickness.

Benefits of green tea for the digestive system

• Green tea is recommended for dysbacteriosis and food poisoning as a great detoxifier. If you are poisoned by drugs, drink green tea with the addition of milk and sugar.
• Green tea should be in your diet if you have poor digestion. The fact is that tannin contributes to the normal digestion of food, so it is advisable to drink it after each meal.
• For indigestion it is recommended to drink strongly brewed green tea, it will destroy pathogenic microbes in the intestines and stomach. After normalization of the condition, you should brew weak green tea and drink it for another 2-3 days so that it enhances the motility of the digestive tract and intestinal tone.
• The benefits of green tea are doubtful in case of exacerbations of gastric diseases - gastritis, for example. And it is better to refuse a strong brewed drink if you have a duodenal ulcer.
• But green tea will come to the rescue with painful colitis. Take it 4 times a day after meals, 2 tbsp. l. (strong decoction) or use as an enema.
• In folk medicine, the drink is traditionally used as remedy for dysentery. Catechins have a direct antimicrobial effect; they are effective against dysentery, typhoid and coccal bacteria. The recipe for a cure for dysentery looks like this: grind 50 g of green tea, pour a liter of cool water and leave for half an hour. Then boil over low heat for 1 hour. Filter the resulting infusion, cool and take 30 minutes before meals 4 times a day, 2 tbsp. l. You can store in the refrigerator for 3 days.
• Green tea can be used for weight loss, as it helps to enhance metabolic processes and accelerate the removal of fat from the body. Tea adjusts the level norenaline, playing an important role in the formation of fat. When you drink green tea, you imperceptibly get rid of the fat layer in the hips, waist, buttocks.

Benefits of green tea for the cardiovascular system

• Green tea makes blood vessels more elastic, strengthens their walls, preventing the risk of internal hemorrhages. Green tea polyphenols prevent blood clots.

• The benefits of green tea are well known. This is an excellent tool for the prevention of atherosclerosis, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease.

• Green tea is also useful as a means of preventing a heart attack. At least that's what Dutch scientists think. People who drink 4 glasses of green tea a day + eat an apple or an onion have suffered from myocardial infarction twice as often as others. This conclusion was made by Dutch researchers after studying the food habits of a large group of people who lived to old age. Thus, green tea can be called one of.

• Of particular note are the medicinal properties of tea in the initial stage of hypertension. Japanese doctors claim that with prolonged use, it can reduce blood pressure by 10-20 units.

Medicinal properties of green tea in diseases of the ear, throat, nose

• A strong brew of green tea helps a lot. with conjunctivitis and other inflammatory eye diseases. If the eyes are very tired from the computer, green tea in this case will also help relieve tension and “cleanse” the eyes.
• Green tea is beneficial with rhinitis - as a means by which you can effectively wash the sinuses. Pour 1 teaspoon of tea with a glass of boiling water, leave for 15-30 minutes and rinse the filtered infusion with a syringe. The procedure can be done 6-10 times a day.
• With angina, laryngitis, pharyngitis, stomatitis warm infusion of green tea (2 tsp per glass of boiling water, pour and leave for about half an hour) rinse the throat and mouth.

Learn more about the health benefits of green tea

• For burns. Brew green tea, cool and lubricate the burns with a cotton swab. Washing the wound with green tea is effective due to the activity of tannins, which have a hemostatic and wound healing effect.
• Dentistry. Drinking tea has a positive effect on the condition of teeth and gums, as it contains fluoride. To prevent caries, it is recommended to rinse your teeth with freshly brewed tea.
• For pregnant women. Green tea is also good for them (but not more than 2 cups a day and not the entire pregnancy - why, read the article)
• Muscular system. Tea polyphenols reduce oxidative processes in the body, and this protects the muscles from injury. Therefore, if you play sports, be sure to drink green tea.
• excretory systems. Green tea activates the activity of the liver and spleen, it is used to prevent the formation of stones in the liver, kidneys and bladder (however, excessive consumption can lead to exactly the opposite results).

We hope the above information has helped you understand the benefits of green tea and whether it is worth including it in your diet.

Green tea contraindications

However, the picture would be incomplete if we ignored the question of why green tea is harmful, and for whom it is harmful, what are the contraindications of green tea.

Oddly enough, the first and most significant contraindication is elderly age. Older people should not get carried away with this drink, as it triggers negative processes in the joints. This applies in particular to diseases such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis. If you have such a diagnosis, or if you have unhealthy kidneys, it is recommended to consume no more than a cup of green tea per week.

What's the matter here. Uric acid is a by-product of our cells. The kidneys remove it from the body, because it does not need it. However, purines, which are found in large quantities in green tea, complicate this process. The load on the kidneys increases, the excretion of uric acid slows down, which, finding no way out, penetrates into the intraarticular fluid, and there it crystallizes in the form of a salt clot. Actually, we have described the disease gout.

Excessive consumption of green tea (more than 3 cups a day) can, according to some studies, lead to the formation of kidney and gallbladder stones- this is the property of polyphenols. If you already have stones, green tea is all the more not recommended to drink.

Since green tea (like black tea, by the way) increases the acidity of gastric juice, you should not drink it. with exacerbations of ulcers, erosion and gastritis.

Do not drink green tea at high temperature, as in this case, the load on the kidneys increases.

Care must be taken with severe arrhythmia, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure. Caffeine and other alkaloids are stimulants after all.

Stale green tea contains a large amount of purines, which are very aggressive towards people with hypertension, gout and glaucoma.

Summing up, we get the following list:

Green tea contraindications + *with caution*:

• elderly age
• diseased kidneys
• rheumatoid arthritis, gout
• glaucoma
• kidney and gallbladder stones
• exacerbation of gastritis, ulcers, erosion of the stomach and duodenum 12
• heat
• With alcohol
• heart attack
• high pressure
• nervous excitability
• stale tea

How to brew green tea

About the procedure, even the ceremony

The most important thing is not to fill it with boiling water, because then all the beneficial properties of green tea are destroyed. The recommended temperature is 80-85 degrees, no more. When choosing green tea, pay attention to its color - it should be a light, golden-pistachio shade. Well, properly brewed tea also has a noble light greenish yellow tone.

How to brew green tea for hypertension

Rinse dry tea with warm boiled water to reduce caffeine content. Then pour 3 grams of tea with a glass of water heated to a temperature of 80 degrees. It is necessary to insist 10 minutes. Drink three times a day a glass after meals. At the same time, keep an eye on the other liquid consumed during the day - along with tea it should be no more than 1.5 liters.

Nursing mothers are prescribed green tea with milk or cream - for good lactation, because of the richest set of vitamins + low allergenicity.

Useful recipe for vitamin deficiency

At the end of the conversation, some useful recipe is appropriate - for example, helping with vitamin deficiency.

Pour 5 g of dry tea leaves with a glass of boiling water, leave for 10-15 minutes. Add 1 tsp. rosehip syrup. Drink this wonderful decoction in a warm form, one glass 3 times a day after meals.

Is green tea healthy? And if yes, to whom and to what extent?

This drink has been used since ancient times to relieve depression and headaches, and modern people also note its ability to burn fat, lower blood pressure and the level of bad LDL cholesterol in the blood. Today, the Forest Fairy blog will take a closer look at the beneficial properties of green tea for the human body, the correct ways to brew it, and individual cases in which its use can be harmful to your health.

Before you find out what the real benefits of green tea are and what contraindications there are for it, check out these interesting facts:

The benefits and harms of green tea for the body. What does this drink contain?

Green tea is a rich source of potassium, vitamin C and some B vitamins, which dissolve well in water and are absorbed by our body. Another important component of green tea is the antioxidant flavonoids, including proanthocyanidins who are actively fighting age-related diseases, diseases of the circulatory and digestive systems.

More about the beneficial properties of green tea will tell you this table and the information below.

Figure Source: US National Nutrient Database for standard reference. The numbers characterize regular, water-brewed green tea and may vary slightly depending on the variety and growing conditions of the product.

Antioxidants in green tea and their effect on the body

Green tea is distinguished by a rather high content of plant antioxidants - flavonoids and catechins, the most active of which is epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. This is a very powerful antioxidant, which, according to many scientists, can slow down the growth of cancer cells and the aging of the body. Together with other antioxidants found in green tea, including proanthocyanidins, it also helps:

• Facilitate digestion and speed up the metabolism in the body;
• Lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels in the blood;
• Freshen breath and eliminate bacteria that cause cavities and other oral diseases.

Attention: To date, not enough clinical studies have been conducted to be able to confidently use green tea or its extracts in the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular disease. For example, studies that confirmed the ability of green tea to reduce the risk of developing liver cancer were carried out only among the Chinese and Japanese population.

Still, current data on how green tea affects different people with their individual characteristics remains rather limited. Before using it for medicinal purposes, be sure to consult your doctor and follow the recommended dose.

Caffeine in green tea - good or bad?

A cup of green tea contains an average of about 30 mg of caffeine. For comparison, black tea contains an average of 55 mg, Red Bull 75 mg, and regular coffee 90 mg of caffeine per 250 mg cup. How does this affect a person?

Caffeine is known to have a stimulating effect on the brain, giving a sense of strength and uplifting mood. However, the antioxidant EGCG and L-theanine in green tea neutralize the effects of caffeine to some extent and make this drink much safer. L-theanine is one of the few amino acids that has been shown to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, relax, improve learning, and boost immunity. Therefore, a cup of green tea can always be drunk in the evening without fear of insomnia.

Note: in the usual way of brewing tea, we get quite a small amount of L-theanine. To completely release it into a drink, the first brew of green tea is drained, after which the leaves are boiled at a high temperature of water up to 127 ° C.

Here you also need to pay attention to the fact that caffeine contributes to dehydration and is considered a good diuretic. There are studies that have shown that the catechins in green tea prevent the caffeine from dehydrating the body. However, many people have noticed that after drinking tea, they begin to run to the toilet more often. Therefore, just listen to your body and do not abuse this drink if it has the same effect on you.

Finally, we note that many scientists consider the caffeine in green tea to be safe and have even given it GRAS (certainly safe foods and ingredients) status. In any case, today green tea remains the safest and most beneficial of all caffeinated beverages.

Green tea: raises or lowers blood pressure?

Due to the caffeine content, the question often arises: does green tea increase or decrease blood pressure? We have already mentioned above that L-theanine neutralizes the effects of caffeine, but the amount of this amino acid in the drink directly depends on the method of brewing it. It also contains catechins, which have a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels. What is the effect of green tea in general?

All the experiments carried out gave one result: green tea lowers blood pressure. The cumulative benefits of green tea for hypertensive patients are obvious! A general meta-analysis of studies showed that the systematic consumption of green tea for 3-6 months contributes to a decrease in systolic and diastolic pressure by about 3 mm Hg. Art.

Does Green Tea Really Help You Lose Weight?

No global studies confirming the benefits of green tea for weight loss have yet been conducted. However, there are a number of facts that testify in favor of this assertion:

1. Green tea has the ability to speed up metabolic processes, which makes the human body burn calories faster without any exercise.
2. Green tea is not able to suppress appetite, but it allows you to temporarily increase the endurance of the body. Polyphenols in its composition accelerate thermogenesis (the production of heat by our body to keep all its systems working) and promote the use of calories as energy.
3. The catechins in green tea help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent obesity by preventing glucose from being stored in fat cells.
4. Caffeine, which we talked about above, interacts well with polyphenols and also increases the rate of fat burning.

Slowly but surely, green tea helps to lose weight by causing the body to lose fat while maintaining muscle mass.

Possible harm of green tea to the human body

Moderate regular consumption of green tea is considered generally safe, but there are still some limitations and contraindications for it.

So, green tea can be toxic to the liver if the recommended consumption rates are exceeded (10-29 mg of tea per 1 kg of body weight per day). In addition, too high doses of green tea, which contains a lot of antioxidants, can begin to act as a pro-oxidant and damage healthy cells in the body.

Heartburn and indigestion are common consequences of overconsumption and/or improper brewing of green tea. This harm can be prevented by brewing the drink with water well below boiling point. Ideal - in the range of 71-82 degrees Celsius.

Also, green tea may be contraindicated in the following cases:

• Iron-deficiency anemia. Consuming green tea can create an iron deficiency in your body, which greatly affects people who are anemic. This harmful property of tea can be neutralized by adding lemon to it.
• Allergy. Extremely rare, but still, some people have an allergic reaction to Chinese green tea: swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue and / or face, fever.
• Sensitivity to caffeine. With excessive consumption or hypersensitivity to caffeine, green tea can cause a person to be anxious, have a palpitation of the heart, irritability, sleep problems, etc.
• Pregnancy. Green tea is not recommended for pregnant women to consume in large quantities, especially in the early stages. Caffeine, tannins and catechins in its composition can lead to birth defects.
• Taking medication. If you are taking any medications, be sure to check with your doctor about your green tea intake.

Of course, the benefits of green tea depend on the amount you consume. Experts recommend drinking from 10 to 29 mg of green tea per 1 kg of body weight per day. Thus, for a person weighing 60 kg, the recommended dose is in the range of 600-1740 mg (from 2 to 6 cups), and for a person weighing 85 kg - in the range of 850-2465 mg (3-9 cups). However, given the existing contraindications and research data, it is better not to bring the amount of tea drunk per day to the upper limit. According to several studies, a dose of 6 cups of green tea is too much for normal daily consumption. Side effects of this intake can include frequent urination (and, as a result, dehydration), diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and loss of appetite.

Be healthy!

Everyone knows about the healing properties of green tea. And many are sure that this delicious drink is completely harmless, because it has so many health benefits. But there are hidden dangers in this health drink, which will be discussed: the harm of green tea.

Based on research conducted by the UK Tea Council (UK Tea Council), It was found that a healthy drink with excessive use can cause side effects to human health.

What harm can green tea do?

The harm of green tea is expressed in its side effect, which experts associate with the content of caffeine and tannins (tannin and catechin).

In the meantime, tea has enormous health benefits. Read, Green tea prolongs life.

Tannins. In their effect, the tannins contained in the tea leaf are similar to vitamin P, they strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries. The tea itself is given flavor and astringency. But their high concentration in tea irritates the walls of the stomach, they slow down the absorption and assimilation of certain trace elements and can disrupt the functioning of the liver and kidneys.

Caffeine- a purine alkaloid, is a powerful stimulant of the human nervous system, which has a number of positive effects on health. But an overdose of the alkaloid causes disruption of the heart, stomach, intestines and other body systems.

With an overabundance of even the most useful food, the body is in danger, because all products contain chemical elements and biologically active substances that the body cannot absorb indefinitely. Their excessive exposure takes the body out of the comfort zone, causing failures and disruptions in the functioning of organs and systems.

Side effects or why to comply with the norm

Scientists have established a number of side effects that occur more often with an overdose of green tea, which is harmful for both women and men.

Changes the acidity of the stomach

Green tea changes the acidity of gastric juice, increasing it above normal, which causes irritation of the walls of the stomach and can provoke heartburn. Scientists came to this conclusion, studies have shown that tea stimulates the production of stomach acid.

To neutralize its effect on the walls of the stomach, you can add sugar to tea, which, again, is not welcomed by everyone. It is better to drink a drink after a meal or between meals, when the stomach has not yet been freed from food.

People with high stomach acid and peptic ulcer need to be more careful in drinking this drink.

Reduces iron absorption

Since tea is drunk only after a meal, it interacts with substances contained in food. It has been established that caffeine, or rather theine (the variety that is contained in tea, differs in that it is absorbed only in the intestines), reduces the absorption of iron by 25%. This applies more to the non-heme iron found in eggs, dairy products, and plant-based foods.

But this harmful effect on the body, fortunately, can be neutralized if you add fresh lemon juice to a cup of tea or eat vegetables and fruits saturated with vitamin C first (greens from the garden with darkly colored green leaves, tomatoes, broccoli, lemon, currants) .

For women, it is important to observe moderation in tea drinking. Often without that, they suffer from anemia and iron deficiency, and large concentrations of tea exacerbate this situation. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the concentration of caffeine can affect the development of the fetus and the health of the child.

Contributes to the development of chronic headaches

If a person constantly consumes drinks containing caffeine, the body gradually gets used to it. And with a lack of this “doping”, he responds with a long headache. This is a kind of caffeine addiction, causing a kind of withdrawal when it is not enough.

Additional intake of drinks solves this problem after 25-30 minutes, but is it worth accustoming your body to such an addiction? If headaches appear due to a lack of caffeine doping, it is better to completely abandon such drinks. After all, these symptoms will gradually increase.

Sometimes people have chronic headaches that turn into migraines. Studying such cases, scientists have found a connection of such pain with the use of drinks (in large doses) containing caffeine.

Causes anxiety and nervousness, interferes with restful sleep

All these symptoms are more pronounced in sensitive people with overdose. It's all about the substance xanthine, which is a purine base and a precursor of uric acid. Its derivative is caffeine.

Its side effect on the human body is the ability to block sleep hormones in the brain, and it also activates the production of adrenaline.

Increases heart rate and blood pressure

Sometimes there is a rapid contraction of the muscles of the heart (palpitations) or abnormal contraction, with rhythm disturbance. As a rule, such failures and violations pass quickly. And if such cases take place, then it is better to talk with your doctor, undergo an examination and identify the true cause of the deviations.

If a person has an increased sensitivity to caffeine and its derivatives, then it is better to refuse drinks containing it in their composition.

You should not get carried away with drinks and people with high blood pressure, the fact of the effect of caffeine on the increase in pressure is well known.

Causes diarrhea

This feature directly depends on the individual sensitivity of the body. In the lining of the mucous membrane of the digestive organs, a huge number of neurons (nerve cells and endings) are concentrated. Therefore, the digestive organs are very sensitive to all chemicals that come with food.

And drinks containing caffeine are rich in organic acids (citric, succinic, malic, oxalic), which stimulate the production of bile. At some point, this plays a positive role.

But accumulations of bile, in turn, trigger mechanisms in response to the effects of biologically active substances that make you run to the toilet. For those on whom caffeinated drinks have a laxative effect, it is best to avoid them.

Promotes heartburn and vomiting

Medical experts acknowledge the fact that caffeinated drinks can cause heartburn. This is explained by the fact that when the mucous membrane is irritated by caffeine derivatives, the production of hydrochloric acid increases.

And since the active substances also have vasoconstrictive abilities, this to some extent disrupts the work of the sphincter, which does not work on time and passes hydrochloric acid into the esophagus.

Do not drink the drink hot, as it irritates the gastric mucosa more and do not work in an inclination after drinking a cup of tea.

An overdose of tea sometimes causes nausea, which turns into vomiting, which is rare. This is also associated with a change in the acidity of the stomach and the irritating effect of active substances on the vomiting center of the brain.

Possible dizziness, ringing in the ears

Caffeine derivatives have insidious properties. In small doses, they increase blood pressure, cause vasospasm, which can cause dizziness.

With an overdose, on the contrary. lower the pressure. And again, they cause weakness and dizziness. You may experience ringing in the ears, especially with high blood pressure.

Causes trembling of the limbs and lack of calcium in the body

Can I drink cold tea

Experts do not recommend drinking both too hot tea and cold tea. Hot tea can burn you, and frequent consumption of hot drinks causes a mutation in the epithelial cells lining the throat, leading to the formation of a malignant tumor.

Cold tea, after standing, quickly oxidizes, which leads to the destruction of the vitamins, minerals and active biological substances contained in it. There will be no particular harm from this, just thinking about the usefulness, you will drink a pacifier. But in cold tea, a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria is still created.

The biologically active substances contained in green tea, which bring benefits, can be potentially harmful to health if consumed in excessive amounts. The harm of green tea for the body lies only in this reason. If you follow the rule of the golden mean, then all problems will go aside.

The judicious use of tea turns the caffeine and tannin contained in it into friendly substances that bring only health.

• And in this article, read about the benefits:

Drink tea wisely and be healthy!

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