Green Tea Side Effects and Cautions: General Health

Ziggy · **Site Rank:** Healthy Partner

Green Tea Side Effects and Cautions

Green tea is safe for most adults when used in moderate amounts.

There have been some case reports of liver problems in people taking concentrated green tea extracts. This problem does not seem to be connected with green tea infusions or beverages. Although these cases are very rare and the evidence is not definitive, experts suggest that concentrated green tea extracts be taken with food, and that people should discontinue use and consult a heath care practitioner if they have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice.

Green tea and green tea extracts contain caffeine. Caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety, irritability, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, or frequent urination in some people.

Green tea contains small amounts of vitamin K, which can make anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, less effective.

HealthyPals · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

I think you get much more out of green tea if you drink it rather than take extracts of it. That's my opinion!

crosewood · **Site Rank:** Healthy Friend

i hear green tea is also bad for those trying to conceive babies with the help of medicinal supplements because of their tannins

tammy · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

I didn't know what tannins were so I looked them up. Not sure if this is true or not, but this is the information I found about green tea and tannins:

Quote:

Polyphenols give tea its characteristic astringent flavor. In the past, these polyphenols have been mistakenly called 'tannins.' Polyphenols are chemically similar to tannins, however tannins are not present in tea.

I also found this:

Quote:

Green Tea contains polyphenols (aka catechins), which are a specific type of tannin. Green Tea contains more of these substances (30-42% of the extractable solids) than Black Tea or Oolong Tea. Oolong Tea has 8-20% catechin content, and Black Tea is about halfway between Green Tea and Oolong Tea in catechin content. Note tea does not contain Tannic Acid.

Ziggy · **Site Rank:** Healthy Partner

I found this info on the MedlinePlus website...

Quote:

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Large amounts of green tea should be used cautiously in pregnant women, as caffeine crosses the placenta and has been associated with spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth retardation, and low birth weight.

Caffeine is readily transferred into breast milk. Caffeine ingestion by infants can lead to sleep disturbances - insomnia.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drug ... n_tea.html

Ziggy · **Site Rank:** Healthy Partner

What the Science Says About Green Tea

Laboratory studies suggest that green tea may help protect against or slow the growth of certain cancers, but studies in people have shown mixed results.
Some evidence suggests that the use of green tea preparations improves mental alertness, most likely because of its caffeine content. There are not enough reliable data to determine whether green tea can aid in weight loss, lower blood cholesterol levels, or protect the skin from sun damage.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is supporting studies to learn more about the components in green tea and their effects on conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Source:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
NCCAM Publication No. D273
Created May 2006
Updated November 2008

Ziggy · **Site Rank:** Healthy Partner

More Green Tea Side Effects and Warnings, Just So You Know!

Green tea is not recommended for infants or children under 18 years old due to caffeine content.
People with known allergy/hypersensitivity to caffeine or tannin should avoid green tea. Skin rash and hives have been reported with caffeine ingestion.
An increase in blood sugar levels may occur. Caffeine-containing beverages such as green tea should be used cautiously in patients with diabetes. In contrast, lowering of blood sugar levels from drinking green tea has also been reported in preliminary research. Additional study is needed in this area.
Tannin in tea can cause constipation.
Drinking tannin-containing beverages such as tea may contribute to iron deficiency, and in infants, tea has been associated with impaired iron metabolism and microcytic anemia.
In preliminary research, green tea has been associated with decreased levels of estrogens in the body. It is not clear if significant side effects such as hot flashes may occur.
If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Source: MedlinePlus, March 2008

HealthyPals · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

Quote:

Tannin in tea can cause constipation.

Interesting. If there is tannin in green tea, then I sure don't get this side effect. Green tea really makes me go! Just the opposite of constipation!

Y's Guy · **Site Rank:** Moderator

I find it has the same effect on me HP... if I drink some green tea in the morning, it usually gets the perverbial ball rollin` :lol:

egoisticdude · **Site Rank:** Healthy Acquaintance

What I like about green tea, aside from its antioxidant benefits is that it is also good for our teeth. Its dental health benefits is also great!

emofree · **Site Rank:** Healthy Friend

I never knew that Green tea has some side effects thank you for sharing this with us most likely that everything that we should need to take be moderated

Green Tea Side Effects and Cautions

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