Green tea, despite being tremendously healthy, has some contraindications, like other teas. It contains caffeine, so hypertensive and pregnant women should not consume it. It also makes it difficult to absorb iron from food and contains some amounts of fluoride.
Therefore, if you want to take advantage of its benefits, it is very important that you keep in mind what side effects it can cause and in what situations and for which diseases it is contraindicated.
- It is not recommended in cases of hypertension . Green tea, like any other tea made from the Camellia Sinensis plant, contains caffeine (although at lower levels than others in its class). For this same reason, those with hypertension should avoid it .
- It is not suitable for young children. .For this reason, it is not recommended for children.
- It should not be consumed during pregnancy and lactation . For the same reason, previously mentioned, green tea is not recommended for pregnant women . According to a study, it can affect the nervous system of babies .
- It should not be consumed on an empty stomach, as it can cause stomach upset and constipation. In fact, in Japan and China it is common knowledge that you should not drink green tea on an empty stomach. The tannins in green tea increase stomach acids. Therefore, if you drink green tea before eating, it can cause stomach pain, nausea, or cause constipation.
It is best to drink green tea after a meal or between meals. People with peptic ulcers or acid reflux should be especially careful.
- It should not be consumed near meals, as it interferes with the absorption of iron. Tea is not recommended for half an hour before or half an hour after meals, as it is believed to hinder the absorption of iron from food . If you have iron deficiency anemia, the National Cancer Institute recommends drinking tea between meals. If you like to drink green tea with your food, then studies show that you should eat foods that enhance iron absorption. Foods rich in iron include meats, such as red meat, and foods high in vitamin C, such as lemons.
- In large quantities it could cause cancer . Green tea, like other varieties, contains fluoride, a substance that, in high proportions, is considered carcinogenic. It is important to clarify that this contraindication is not 100% proven and that there are studies that support the opposite.
- Interacts with certain medications . If you are taking medications prescribed by your doctor, you should check with them to make sure there are no harmful interactions with green tea .
If you suffer from any of the aforementioned conditions, it is recommended that you consult your doctor to guide you with the consumption of green tea.
What are the side effects of green tea?
Many of the side effects of green tea stem from its caffeine content. A moderate amount of caffeine is less than 200 milligrams a day, less than 5 cups of tea. Too much caffeine can cause the following side effects:
- Headache
- Nervousness
- Sleep problems
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Irritability
- Irregular heartbeat
- Tremors
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Seizures
- Confusion
Other disadvantages of green tea
In addition to the contraindications and side effects mentioned, there are other disadvantages of consuming green tea. Below, you will find more information about some of them.
- It can cause jaundice. Did you know that green tea can cause jaundice? Well, that’s right, if you consume it in excess, some additives that are added to green tea can cause liver damage.
- It can be toxic. On the other hand, the abuse in the consumption of green tea can also have toxic effects on your body, not only on the liver, but also on the kidneys, especially when you consume it in supplements.
- Interact with other products. In addition, green tea interacts with other substances, both with medications, such as supplements and natural products. Take these interactions into account before consuming it.