by Kei Nishida | February 9, 2017 3:17 pm
Green tea has been used in China and Japan for hundreds of years. In the last two decades, it reached global popularity. There are numerous testimonials of people who used green tea to heal and improve their health and many scientific studies confirmed the positive medicinal properties of regular tea consumption. This are just some of the things that made Japanese green tea so popular. Green tea contains salubrious polyphenols, carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid, chromium, zinc, selenium and different phytochemical substances. All these substances make drinking green tea a good idea.
People are now looking to improve their tea drinking rituals and started wondering what the best way to consume green tea is. More specifically, they want to know, if drinking green tea on an empty stomach is a good idea.
Assessing the positive and negative sides of drinking green tea on an empty stomach
Even though science has not yet determined whether it’s effective to drink green tea on an empty stomach or not, there are many trials and testimonials from people who practice this routine. It turns out that for most people, drinking tea before eating (usually in the morning) is a good thing. But, before we analyze the positive effects, let’s look at some possible problems green tea can cause on an empty stomach.
Stomach issues and increased stomach acidity
Green tea is packed with tannins and these compounds can increase acidity in the stomach which can eventually lead to stomach pain, constipation, nausea, and in worst case scenario, vomiting. If you notice any of this problems after drinking green tea on an empty stomach, you should stop this practice and drink it between meals or right after your main meals.
Anxiety and sleep problems correlated with excessive caffeine consumption
Just like many other teas, green tea comes with a certain amount of caffeine in it. If you drink tea on an empty stomach, it is possible that the adverse effects of caffeine will be more intense. In some people, these effects may lead to sleep problems and anxiety. Obviously, if you drink green tea in the morning you don’t have to worry about sleep problems, but you should definitely cut the intake if you are experiencing anxiety or nervousness. Simply drink green tea on a full stomach or at least in-between meals.
Diminished iron absorption in people suffering from anemia
Green tea can lower our body’s ability to absorb iron naturally. The reason is simple – the presence of catechins in green tea. It is highly recommended to avoid green tea if you are dealing with anemia. This is especially true if you drink tea on an empty stomach. However, you can consult your doctor and try to find a solution for this problem. For instance, you can eat foods rich in iron throughout the day and they will definitely eliminate the negative effects of green tea in cases like this.
So, drinking green tea on an empty stomach is generally safe, but if it causes stomach problems, or if you are dealing with anemia, anxiety, sleep problems or iron deficiency you should postpone your green tea for after you’ve eaten something.
If you take a closer look at the content of green tea (just like any other tea) about 95% of it is water. This means that teas are good for hydrating your body. As we said before, green tea includes some useful compounds like l-theanine and antioxidants which make this drink very healthy. So, when you are drinking green tea in the morning, you are actually drinking a cup of water that is enriched with some useful ingredients. In any case, drinking green tea on an empty stomach is much better than drinking coffee or carbonated drinks packed with artificial colors, flavors, and additives.
Now let’s take a look at the potential benefits that drinking green tea on an empty stomach brings.
Weight loss by boosting our natural digestive system
Green tea helps the digestive system. When our stomach is empty, the processes inside the digestive system are stable and green tea naturally boost these processes. One of the main reasons why green tea is effective for weight loss is the presence of polyphenols. It works similarly to . Polyphenols can increase fat oxidation levels and eventually lead to weight loss.
Lower cholesterol levels without using statins
One of the simplest ways to get rid of bad cholesterol is to drink a cup of green tea early in the morning on an empty stomach. Many people who had problems with bad cholesterol claim that this practice helped them. Due to its specific content, green tea can reduce the levels of bad cholesterol while increasing the level of good cholesterol.
Feeling more energetic and combating fatigue
As previously mentioned, green tea is rich in magnesium, zinc, and chromium and each of these substances is good for the blood flow. It is very important to feel energetic in the morning and this is exactly what green tea provides. In addition, many people in Asia use green tea to combat fatigue. It turns out that drinking it on an empty stomach additionally enhances this process.
Natural disease prevention and immune system boost
Green tea has powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties. Thanks to this unique side of green tea, you will be able to protect yourself from a wide range of diseases. In addition, you can use tea to stop the progress of existing diseases.
Naturally enhanced blood flow that helps stabilize blood pressure
I case you are dealing with hypertension you probably know how difficult your mornings can be. Consumption of green tea on an empty stomach may be the most efficient and cheapest way of lowering blood pressure. If you turn this practice into a routine, it is very likely that you will be able to stabilize your blood pressure.
According to some sources, green tea is among the five most popular beverages in the world. Drinking green tea on an empty stomach might help people with different aspects of their health. In a small number of cases, it can cause side effects, so people should be careful and monitor these changes. But you shouldn’t worry too much about them and you should simply enjoy your morning dose of green tea.
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