Is Green tea really as good as it is being promised to be?

GREEN TEA

Benefits

·        Bioactive Compounds: These are compounds present in green tea that are responsible for demolition of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. These free radicals play a role in aging and all sorts of diseases.

·        Improves Brain Function: Has caffeine enough to produce a response without causing the “jittery” effects associated with too much caffeine. It also has the amino acid L-theanine, which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Studies show that caffeine and L-theanine can have synergistic effects.

·        Increases Fat Burning and Improves Physical Performance.

·        Antioxidants in Green Tea May Lower Your Risk of Various Types of Cancer(Breast, Prostate, Colorectal).

·        Protect Your Brain in Old Age, Lowering Your Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

·        Can Kill Bacteria, Which Improves Dental Health and Lowers Your Risk of Infection.

·        May Lower Your Risk of Type II Diabetes.

·        May Reduce Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease. Lowers Cholesterol.

·        Combats Allergies, Boosts Eyesight, UV Protection.

Side Effects

·        In some people, green tea can cause stomach upset and constipation.

·        Green tea extracts have been reported to cause liver problems in rare cases.

·        Drinking too much green tea — more than five cups per day, for example — is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. It can cause side effects because of the caffeine. Side effects can range from mild to serious and include headache, nervousness, sleep problems, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, irregular heartbeat, tremor, heartburn, dizziness, ringing in the ears, convulsions, and confusion.

·        Green tea seems to reduce the absorption of iron from food.

·        Drinking very high doses of green tea is actually fatal.

·        “Tired blood” (anemia): Drinking green tea may make anemia worse.

·        Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, green tea in small amounts – about 2 cups per day – is POSSIBLY SAFE.

·        Anxiety disorders: The caffeine in green tea might make anxiety worse.

·        Bleeding disorders: Caffeine in green tea might increase the risk of bleeding.

·        Heart conditions: Caffeine in green tea might cause irregular heartbeat.

·        Diabetes: Caffeine in green tea might affect blood sugar control.

·        Diarrhea: The caffeine in green tea, especially when taken in large amounts,can worsen diarrhea & cause Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

·        Glaucoma: Drinking green tea increases pressure inside the eye. The increase occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes.

·        High blood pressure: The caffeine in green tea might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.

·        Liver disease: Green tea extract supplements have been linked to several cases of liver damage.

·        Weak bones (osteoporosis): Drinking green tea can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine.

References:
1. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-960-green%20tea.aspx?activeingredientid=960&activeingredientname=green%20tea
2. http://www.medicaldaily.com/go-green-6-surprising-health-benefits-green-tea-322422