Consume everything in reasonable portions. This sentence sounds cliché, but it is true. Although green tea is full of nutrients that the body needs, consuming it in excess can actually cause various side effects that are detrimental to your health, such as stomach upset or anxiety disorders. Some problems are caused by the caffeine content in tea, while other problems are caused by other substances that green tea also contains. Do you like to drink green tea? Do not worry. This article explains how much green tea you can consume per day, when is the right time to consume it, and what you should do if you already experience various side effects of green tea.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Avoiding Problems Caused by Caffeine
Step 1. Know the caffeine content in the green tea you consume
8 ounces of brewed green tea contains about 24-45 mg of caffeine. In comparison, 8 ounces of brewed coffee contains about 95-200 mg of caffeine, while 12 ounces of Coca-Cola contains about 23-35 mg of caffeine.,
Step 2. Understand the side effects of consuming too much caffeine
Consuming too much caffeine can cause irregular heartbeats, a burning sensation in the pit of the heart, anxiety and emotional disturbances, and many other effects.
- In people with diabetes, consuming caffeine can increase blood sugar levels and make insulin work harder. Caffeine can also aggravate diarrhea and is dangerous for those with health problems in the colon.
- The caffeine in green tea can block the absorption of calcium needed by your bones. If you have a risk of osteoporosis, you should not drink green tea too often.
Step 3. Know your body's limits
The best way to avoid the problems that come with caffeine consumption is to limit its intake. Drink a maximum of 5 glasses of green tea per day to avoid the various risks that have been mentioned.
Step 4. Cut back on green tea if you can't tolerate caffeine
You can choose caffeine-free green tea or limit consumption per day.
Step 5. Drink a maximum of 2 glasses of green tea per day if you are pregnant
Due to the caffeine content in it, green tea can be dangerous for pregnant women and the fetus they contain. If consumed in excess, green tea can even lead to miscarriage. Always consult this matter with your doctor.
If your body needs a lot of calcium intake, limit the consumption of green tea to 2-3 glasses per day. If you are too fond of consuming green tea that you are reluctant to limit it, take a calcium supplement to compensate
Method 2 of 4: Avoiding Stomach Disorders
Step 1. Know the risks
The content of tannins in green tea can increase the production of stomach acid so that the risk of causing the stomach to feel bloated or twisted.
Step 2. Know who is taking the risk
The highest risk is owned by people who have a history of gastric disorders. If your stomach often has problems, consuming green tea can actually worsen your health.
Step 3. Drink green tea while eating a heavy meal
Usually, green tea actually causes problems for those of you who drink it on an empty stomach. Eat something (can be heavy food such as rice, can also bread or snacks) before or while consuming green tea to reduce the possibility of stomach upset.
Step 4. Mix milk into your green tea
Milk can help neutralize excess acid in the digestive tract.
Step 5. Take an antacid if your stomach starts to feel troubled
Like milk, antacids such as calcium carbonate are able to neutralize excess acid in the digestive tract.
Method 3 of 4: Avoiding the Risk of Anemia and Glaucoma Due to Consuming Green Tea
Step 1. Understand the problems associated with iron
Green tea reduces the body's ability to absorb iron. The process of iron absorption in your body is hindered by the catechin content in green tea.
- Know the risks. If you suffer from anemia, consuming green tea will actually worsen your health.
- Iron-deficiency anemia (iron deficiency disease) is caused by a lack of iron in the blood. The body that lacks iron will not be able to produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. People with anemia often feel tired because the body is not getting enough oxygen. One of the causes of anemia is excessive blood volume during menstruation. If you experience symptoms of anemia, talk to your doctor about whether or not you need to take supplements and foods rich in iron.
Step 2. Understand the problems associated with glaucoma
Green tea can increase eye pressure for an hour or more.
- Know who is taking the risk. If you have glaucoma, consuming green tea will actually worsen your health.
- Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve fibers and can eventually lead to blindness.
Step 3. Avoid taking green tea with a heavy meal if you have an iron deficiency
It's best to alternate between consuming green tea and heavy meals to give your body a chance to absorb the iron in the food you eat.
- Eat foods rich in iron and vitamin C. Iron helps reduce the risk of anemia, while vitamin C can increase the body's ability to absorb iron.
- Some examples of foods rich in iron are meat, beans, and green vegetables.
- Some examples of foods rich in vitamin C are the citrus family, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, and peppers.
Step 4. Don't drink green tea if you have glaucoma
The side effects of green tea will be felt at least 30 minutes after the tea is consumed and can last up to 1.5 hours thereafter.
Method 4 of 4: Understanding the Effects of Green Tea when Consumed with Medication
Step 1. Know the risks
Some types of drugs can be bad if taken together with green tea.
Step 2. Don't take green tea with ephedrine (a medicine for nasal congestion)
This combination can trigger tremors, anxiety disorders, and insomnia because both green tea and ephedrine act as stimulants.
Step 3. Avoid taking green tea with medications such as clozapine and lithium
Green tea can reduce the efficacy of these drugs. The same side effects also apply to dipyridamole.
Step 4. Avoid taking green tea with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and phenylpropanolamine
Besides being able to drastically increase your blood pressure, the combination of phenylpropanolamine with green tea can also trigger an affective disorder that is often referred to as mania.
Step 5. Avoid taking green tea along with antibiotics if you can't take caffeine
Antibiotics can decrease your body's ability to break down caffeine so the effects of caffeine will last longer in your body. These side effects also occur if you take green tea with cimetidine, birth control pills, fluvoxamine, and disulfiram.
