How to unlock green tea's health benefits

Drinking tea is a daily ritual for many, but studies have shown that excessive consumption may pose health risks. Enter green tea. Those who pay keen attention to health have switched to drinking green tea which is ideal for getting refreshed. It can be prepared with leaves or tea bags but one should keep in mind that the desired beneficial results can be obtained only if it is prepared in the right way.

Drinking green tea, which contains anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant components, every day is beneficial for health. Green tea helps not only in reducing body weight and easing the digestive process but also in boosting immunity, improving cardiac health, and controlling diabetes. Dietitian Shikha Kumari recently pointed out common mistakes while consuming green tea and how to stay clear of them.

Do not drink green tea on an empty stomach
Most people start their day with a cup of tea. There are people who drink green tea on an empty stomach thinking that it is healthy to substitute it for regular tea. However, the tannins present in green tea could create acidity in the stomach. It is always good to drink green tea after a meal to prevent digestive problems.

Too much is bothersome
There are people who drink green tea in large quantities thinking that it is very beneficial for health. The truth is, this will do more harm than good. Sleeplessness, anxiety without cause, digestive problems, and other ailments are likely to occur in persons who drink too much green tea. For this reason, dietitians recommend that one should not drink more than two or three cups of green tea a day.

Avoid the brew before sleep
Although green tea is healthy, it could hinder sleep as it contains caffeine. In short, avoid drinking green tea before going to bed at night. Ensure that the brew is consumed two to three hours before going to bed.

Drink it after meals
Drinking green tea immediately after meals can interfere with the absorption of iron from food, which can lead to anemia over time. According to dietitians, it is ideal to drink green tea one hour after a meal.

Do not add tea leaves to boiling water
It is a common practice to add tea leaves to boiling water or immediately after turning off the flame while preparing tea. Doing so will not only remove healthy components from green tea but it may also taste bitter. Take care to turn off the flame and wait till the temperature of the boiling water comes down to 80-85 degrees.

Interaction with medicines
Since green tea may interact with blood pressure medication, anti-depressants, and blood thinners, the brew should be consumed by such persons only on the advice of a doctor.

Tea bags are for single-use
There are at least some people who reuse tea bags. The aroma and freshness of the tea are lost when the bag is reused. Green tea may also lose its nutritional benefits. Therefore, it is recommended that tea bags should be used only once.

How to prepare green tea
Pour two cups of water into a saucepan. After the water comes to a boil, turn off the flame, and after a while, add two teaspoons of tea leaves and stir the brew. After keeping it aside for some time, strain out the tea leaves and transfer the green tea into a cup.