When to drink Green Tea
Green tea is one of the most frequently consumed beverages in the world and for a good reason. Not only does green tea have this pleasant taste and aroma, but it also comes with a whole host of benefits. But here is the thing that most people do not know about drinking green tea; when you choose to drink a cup will determine how impactful green tea is to your health.
Is there a best time to drink green tea?
If you want to get the best results from your green tea intake, you have to pick the best time to drink it first. Experts agree that the best time to drink your green tea for maximum results is right after you get up in the morning, as it will help you get a jumpstart on your day. Green tea also works really well post-workout.
Similar to coffee, green tea also contains some quantities of L-theanine as well as caffeine. Both of these components combined will ensure that you have the energy that you need to dominate your day. So if you are having trouble concentrating or pushing yourself to get out of bed, a hot cup of freshly brewed green tea is exactly what you need to put a pep in your step.
If you aim for weight loss, then it also makes sense to drink your green tea right before your workout session. This will go a long way in aiding the fat-burning process. If you can, experts also recommend that you drink green tea on an empty stomach every so often but always consult with your doctor first before you attempt to do this.
Is there a bad time to drink green tea?
Don’t attempt to drink your green tea after a meal. That’s because green tea contains certain components and minerals that can block food absorption in the body. Green tea is especially notorious for blocking the absorption of minerals such as iron and copper. Plus, as we mentioned above, green tea does contain some caffeine that you should not ingest if your objective is to get a restful nights’ sleep.
How much caffeine you consume in your green tea is entirely dependent on how long you infuse your tea and the quantity of tea you intend to drink. Green tea naturally contains lower amounts of caffeine compared to black tea or coffee.
As such, if you must drink your green tea, ensure to do it at least 2 hours or more before bed. Some green teas also contain lower quantities of caffeine than others. For instance, you are less likely to experience trouble falling asleep with mature green tea leaves or roasted ones such as Hojicha, Kukicha, or Kyobancha. To reduce the caffeine content further, ensure that you brew your green tea using cooler water than you would typically use.
Of course, the time of day that you choose to drink your green tea should be entirely dependent on your preferences and your schedule. While it is recommended that you drink your green tea early enough in your day for the best results. Some people may find that green tea fits better into their routine during other parts of the day, such as in the afternoon.
How often should you drink green tea?
You can drink green tea as many times as you would like to- it’s really that good for you! Green tea contains high quantities of antioxidants and natural plant-based components like flavonoids and tannins.
As such, try and balance your intake by drinking your green tea once or twice per day. That’s because excess amounts of green tea can cause these toxins to accumulate in your body that cause some damage to your liver. Drinking two to three cups per day should allow you to reap all the benefits of green tea without the damaging effects.
You can easily pair green tea with your meals for an enhanced experience
For instance, green tea goes very well with certain desserts. Although most people prefer not to pair green tea with sweet delicacies, the slightly bitter taste of Sencha can go unbelievably well with super sweet cakes. Furthermore, some sushi bars around the world give their customers green tea to serve as pallet cleansers. If you intend on pairing your green tea with some sweets, pick lighter green tea.
Are there more benefits of drinking green tea?
Green tea is one of the healthiest and most highly sought-after drinks on the market. No wonder it is consumed all over the world. But why? Here are some great benefits of green tea that you should know:
Green tea helps to boost one’s brain function
Owing to the caffeine contained in green tea, drinking green tea regularly will make sure that you are not only alert but highly functional. Green tea doesn’t have high quantities of caffeine like coffee. But it contains just enough caffeine to make you feel alert without all the jittery quality of coffee or energy drinks.
The low caffeine content in green tea will help you feel more vigilant while making sure that your mood and memory are boosted. Apart from caffeine, green tea also has an amino acid known as L-theanine that inhibits the production of hormones that lead to anxiety.
When you drink green tea, it stimulates the body to produce dopamine and alpha waves in the brain. When these two components work in unison, green tea will make you feel more attentive and ready to take on even the most challenging days.
In addition to improving brain function in the short term, green tea also prevents your brain from diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, which is one of the most common neurodegenerative illnesses and a common cause of elderly adults developing dementia. Another neurodegenerative disease that is prevented by regular consumption of green tea is Parkinson’s disease.
Drink green tea for boosted weight loss
Look at the back label of any diet or weight loss supplement and you will probably notice green tea as one of the ingredients listed. This is because green tea not only increases fat burning but also boosts one’s metabolic rate.
Research has proven that green tea extract can boost the calories burned by as high as 4%. The caffeine in green tea also mobilizes fatty acids from fat tissues. These acids are then used by the body to generate the energy needed to keep one active and in a constant state of fat burning.
Green tea has been known to prevent certain kinds of cancers
Cancer occurs when the body is unable to control growth cells. But research has demonstrated that the oxidative damage that takes place in the body can not only worsen the growth of these cells but also lead to chronic inflammation. The antioxidants present in green tea prevent oxidation from taking place, thus reducing the occurrence of cancerous cells in the body.
Regular consumption of green tea has been known to prevent these types of cancers:
- Breast cancer: Studies have shown that green tea can lower the risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 30%.
- Prostate cancer: Analysis shows that green tea reduces the likelihood of suffering from prostate cancer.
- Colorectal cancer: Green tea reduces the chances of colorectal cancer by as much as 42%.
Experts agree that people that drink green tea more regularly are less likely to suffer from cancer, although more research is needed to ascertain this.
Green tea is great for your skin
Green tea comes with a whole host of benefits, including providing your skin with the hydration it needs to maintain its supple nature. Because green tea also contains anti-inflammatory components, it helps repair damaged skin or skin that has been affected by the appearance of wrinkles.
If you are looking for a way to get rid of dark circles around your eye without breaking the bank, green tea will ensure that you produce enough sebum. In addition, studies show that green tea is also used frequently for clearing one’s skin from acne.
How, you ask? Beauty professionals often prepare facial steam baths using loose leaf green tea. Use the steam bath consistently for your skin and you should start to notice some change after some time.
Green tea is high in bioactive components
Green tea does a lot more than just take care of your skin and hydrate you. Green tea contains a wide range of healthy compounds such as polyphenols that are naturally found within the tea. Polyphenols help the body in many significant ways, including reducing inflammation and helping to ward off cancerous cells.
Green tea is also high in catechin, referred to as EGCG or epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a natural oxidant that helps prevent cell damage while reducing the formation of free radicals. EGCG is also crucial in preventing radical damage to cells and molecules. Free radicals are also the components responsible for aging and many types of diseases.
EGCG is one of the most powerful components found in green tea and appears to the primary compound that lends green tea all these powerful components. Whenever you buy green tea, you want to make sure that you are purchasing the highest quality of tea. Some lower grades do not contain high amounts of EGCG- skip these kinds as they may also have higher amounts of fluoride.
Green tea helps to prevent diabetes
People are often asked to add green tea to their list of foods because it helps prevent type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes cause of is elevated blood sugar levels that are often the result of insulin resistance or the body’s to produce sufficient amounts of insulin. Regular green tea intake reduces blood sugar levels while enhancing one’s sensitivity to insulin.
Suffering from bad breath? No problem!
The high amounts of catechins found in green tea are incredible for people who suffer from bad breath. It is the catechins that suppress the growth of bad breath bacteria while lowering the risk of dental infections considerably. Specifically, green tea prevents the formation of Streptococcus mutants, which is a bacterium in the mouth that causes plaques, cavities, and eventual tooth decay.
Are there types of green teas that are better than others?
The three most important types of green tea include:
- Bancha: Drink one portion of Bancha every day, preferably in the evening.
- Sencha: Sencha is best consumed during midday or afternoons.
- Gyokuro: Gyokuro is best drank in the morning.
You can drink these three types 2 or 3 times throughout your day. Furthermore, if you want to reap all the benefits associated with green tea, you will want to mix and match the varieties of green tea that you drink throughout the day for the best results.
Which type of green tea should you buy?
The great thing about green tea is that it comes in all shapes and sizes, as well as price points. If you are buying premium green tea from the Asian market, you are probably going to spend a lot more than you would be buying green tea that’s available in your local grocery shop. As such, the green tea that you purchase should be based on your preferences and your budget.
What do you get when you invest in premium green tea? The quality you get will vary with the brand that you buy and where the tea was grown and harvested. For instance, higher-grade teas are usually less bitter and more aromatic and sweet. The flavors for the highest grade green tea is also more balanced, making for a smoother sip. So if the quality is what you want, be prepared to pay a premium price.
If you are just getting started with green tea, you would be better off experimenting with lower-grade varieties until you find your preferred taste and brand. What premium grades of green tea offer is enhanced balance, complexity, and freshness. You simply will not get this quality in your local grocery store tea bags. The good news is that it has become easier than ever to access green tea from any part of the world; you just have to know where to look.
Final Thoughts
Green tea is one of the best drinks to include in your day-to-day life because it is the least oxidized type of tea. Green tea is made from young tea levels that are harvested just before the harvesting season, right after white oolong and many black teas have been harvested. Although green tea had its origins in China, it has become the most frequently consumed beverage in the world, which is a true testament to its lasting power and impact.