Green tea is famous for its weight loss qualities. This most consumed variant of Assam tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves and buds. Also, it is untouched by oxidation. This nutrient-packed tea has won the taste buds of people all around the globe and comes in several amazing flavors, such as Mint Green Tea, Basil Green Tea, Chamomile Green Tea, Jasmine Green Tea, and much more.
Apart from its amazing flavor, green tea contains nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D, etc. Minerals such as zinc, manganese, etc. As it has a lot of golden minerals and nutrients in it, green tea helps in curing colon cancer, bone-related diseases, high cholesterol, skin-related diseases, diabetes, high-stress levels, and much more.
But too much of everything is harmful. The same goes for green tea. If consumed in heavy amount, green tea cause harm to the body, such as Stomach Problems, Headaches, Problems Sleeping, Anemia and Iron Deficiency, Vomiting, Dizziness, Bleeding Disorders, Liver Disease, Irregular Heartbeat and Blood Pressure, and much more. Also, green tea is considered unfit for pregnant women and kids. So, it is advised to consume green tea in a limit. Three to five cups of green tea are considered fit for consumption.
In case your taste buds are used to green tea, and you consume it too much, here are the 4 side effects of drinking too much green tea that you need to know:
Reacts with some medications
Nobody wants a negative outcome from the medicines consumed to cure a disease. But sometimes, even after taking precautions, we end up consuming food items that react with the medicines and cause harm more than good. So, it is advised to keep a check on food consumed while being on medication to avoid negative reactions. Green tea is known to react with medicines such as medications such as Cimetidine, Ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin, norfloxacin, grepafloxacin, Fluconazole, anesthetics such as Midazolam, birth control pills, etc. meant for curing depression and other mental disorders, anemia, bleeding or blood-clotting disorders, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoporosis, the liver disease should avoid consuming green tea can inhibit caffeine breakdown in the body. Caffeine, when not broken down, can lead to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, jitters, and many more negative effects. Also, lithium users should avoid green tea at all costs. As green tea can react with medicines taken for curing several diseases, it is advised to consume it within limits.
It can lead to several stomach-related disorders
The stomach is an important organ. As it performs important functions such as temporary storage of food, mixing and breaking down food, and producing enzymes and other specialized cells to digest food. These functions are necessary for several other bodily functions. Any disturbance in the stomach can lead to disruption in these functions and cause uneasiness, pain, and discomfort to an individual. So, in order to take care of our stomach, we should eat food items that keep it healthy. Overconsumption of green tea can cause several stomach-related issues such as constipation, stomachache, nausea, burning sensation, etc. As green tea contains tannins and other polyphenols, and it possesses laxative properties which promote the production of stomach acid, which eventually leads to several stomach-related issues and even diarrhea.
It can cause anemia
Blood plays very important functions in the human body, which include carrying the necessary nutrients, water, and oxygen to all the cells in the body. Lack of blood can cause disruption in these functions. A condition in which the body lacks healthy blood cells is known as Anemia. Anemia can be caused because of malnutrition, problems in the absorption of nutrients, excessive bleeding during menstruation, lack of a balanced diet during pregnancy, family history, etc. As blood plays an important role in the human body, we should consume food items that promote the production of healthy blood cells. Consuming too much green tea can cause Anemia as green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which blocks an enzyme called myeloperoxidase that causes inflammation which eventually leads to iron deficiency. So, in order to prevent iron deficiency and keep anemia at bay, one should consume green tea within limits.
It can cause birth defects
It is advised that pregnant women should avoid the consumption of green tea at all costs, as green tea can impact the mother and the newborn. As green tea contains caffeine and tannins, overconsumption can lead to a reduction in the levels of folic acid, which can cause several harmful birth defects. Also, it leads to hypertension and increased heart rate in mothers, which can put pressure on the heart and kidney, which can lead to contractions in the uterus and increased urination, resulting in excess loss of body fluid which will lead to dehydration. All of these factors can lead to birth defects. So, it is advised to avoid consuming green tea during pregnancy.
Mentioned above are 4 elaborated side effects of consuming too much green tea. Apart from that consuming too much green tea can lead to low potassium levels in the body, Liver toxicity, Thyroid, Anxiety, Insomnia, Heartburn, and much more. But, as side effects might vary from person to person, it is advised to seek professional help before adding or removing anything from your diet.