Possible Side Effects of Green Tea

Green Tea Side Effects: They Exist But Don't Be Afraid!

Although green tea has many health benefits some serious side effects also exist.

These side effects only occur, if at all, when consumption is high, during a longer period of time. After all, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wouldn't categorize green tea as "Generally Recognized as Safe".

Most of the side effects are associated with the caffeine content in green tea.

Caffeine, the scapegoat.

Some of the negative side effects related to excessive caffeine consumption during a longer period of time are:

* Insomnia (unable to fall asleep)

* Restlessness

* Anxiety

* Irritability

* Upset stomach (gas)

* Nausea

* Headaches (from dehydration)

* Tremor (uncontrollable muscle contraction and relaxation)

* Loss of appetite

* Diarrhea

* Vomiting

* Heart palpitations (a rapidly or forcefully beating heart)

* Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)

* Increased blood sugar levels

* Dizziness

* Frequent urination.

Side effects: the rest...

Other green tea side effects are:

1. Allergic reactions

People can be allergic to green tea ingredients such as the tannins or caffeine, identified through unexplained skin rash, hives, itching, swelling of the mouth or throat, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

These exceptional allergic reactions are similar to, say, a peanut, bee sting, or shrimp allergy.

2. Health issues

Some health issues may occur when drinking green tea, such as:

* Iron deficiency anemia. Polyphenols (mainly tannins and catechins) found in this type of tea bind to non-heme iron. Although this anti-oxidative effect is desirable in the fight against cancer, this mechanism may impair the utilization of dietary iron. In other words, polyphenols lower the iron availability and absorption from foods; tea extract decreased non-heme iron absorption by 28%.

Two independent studies involving children from different ends of the world (Great Britain and Saudi Arabia) found they may optimize their iron status by avoiding tea with (or after) meals. The interaction between tea and iron can be mitigated, however, by the addition of high sources of vitamin C or consuming tea between meals.

Conversely, a 1998 study argued that the reduction in iron absorption may be of benefit to patients with genetic haemochromatosis.

* Thiamine deficiency. Another potential side effect is that green tea reduces the absorption of thiamine (vitamin B), which can lead to a condition known as Beriberi (nowadays known primarily to alcoholics, people on fad diets, or persons undergoing long-term starvation) where one version attacks the cardiovascular system and another version attacks the neurologic system.

* Liver disorders. In rare cases, green tea extract may lead to acute liver toxicity, recognized by abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice.

* Kidney problems. Overconsumption may affect the absorption of oxalates and contribute to the development of kidney stones. Contrary to these results, Curhan et al found drinking tea (a daily serving of 240 ml) decreases the risk of developing kidney stones by 8%; a study involving more than 81,000 women.

* Stomach problems. Dubey concluded in a 1984 study that "tea is a potent stimulant of gastric acid, and this can be reduced by adding milk and sugar."

* Teeth stains. Tea will stain your teeth if you do not brush your teeth within 24 hours and floss regularly.

* Beware of diet teas. There are two types of diet teas: the good and the bad. Beware of the second one containing mostly stimulant laxative herbs; when consumed in large quantities these laxative herbs may lead to (chronic) diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach bleeding/cramps, fainting, dehydration and (chronic) constipation.

* Pregnant or breastfeeding women. Caffeine, catechins and tannic acids are substances linked to pregnancy risks such as miscarriages, low birth weights and fetal neural tube defects. Some health organizations advise pregnant women to limit their caffeine consumption to 300 mg per day.

3. Interference with medications

If you are on medication or you have a medical history always consult your medical advisor whether or not to take green tea as it may interfere or interact with certain medications such as antibiotics, sedatives, beta blockers (adenosine), blood thinners (aspirin or warfarin), anti-psychotics (MAOIs, clozapine, or lithium), some cough, cold, and weight loss products.

Tips (to prevent any side effects)

Here are some tips to limit possible negative side effects.

* Use green tea in moderate amounts.

* Brew between 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit (just below boiling point) to prevent green tea changing into an acidic, astringent chemical composition otherwise contributing to acid reflux (heartburn) and an upset stomach).

* Avoid making your cup of green tea too strong; a strong cup contains more caffeine (and polyphenols) which can lead to the side effects mentioned earlier.

* Avoid drinking green tea for at least 2 hours after taking medications.

* Avoid or only consume moderate amounts of green tea during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Making Blooming Tea The Best Way Possible

More and more people are starting to enjoy the benefits of blooming tea. If you want to experience it also, there are a few things that you'll need to know beforehand. Here are a few tips on making blooming or flowering tea.

A wide range of flowers can be included in blooming tea, such as marigold, chamomile, chrysanthemum, hibiscus and even jasmine green tea. Naturally, all these have different tastes, which makes trying each of them a very enjoyable activity.

As each of the main tea types requires a different water temperature for brewing, it is important to know the basis for the blooming tea ball you have purchased. When you know if it is green, black or white tea, you will know how best to brew the tea for the best outcome.

Water boiled to a maximum temperature of 195 degrees Fahrenheit is perfect for flowering tea that uses black or oolong tea leaves. For loose green tea or white tea the temperature should be around 160 degrees Fahrenheit. One other matter is to make sure to use spring or distilled water so that the flavor is not tainted by chemicals in the water.

The type of container you use for making blooming tea is important. Glass containers are used most often for flowers tea so that people can see the action easily. If the container isn't made from glass, it should be made from some other type of transparent material.

Just make sure that you use a proper container when making the tea. You will likely have to pour boiling water into it. If it isn't designed for this, it will crack or even shatter upon doing so.

It's most common for you to find balls to use for flowers tea. However, there are many more shapes and designs available for you to choose from. You may even be in for a nice surprise whenever the flowers open up.

The strength of tea depends entirely on the number of tea balls used. Using more than one tea ball at a time will not only give a stronger tea, but will provide twice the pleasure as the balls bloom.

Another factor that determines how your flowering tea turns out is how long you steep it. The minimum time is three minutes to give a milder tasting tea. You can steep it up to five minutes if you want tea with a darker color and more robust flavor.

After you have finished steeping your blooming tea, it's best that you pour it into a separate container. If you don't, then the tea will just keep getting stronger and stronger while you're sitting there drinking. You can avoid this by using smaller teapots that you pour hot water into whenever you need more to drink.

Honestly, making blooming tea is a straightforward thing. Just keep the above hints in mind and the results should be great. After the first attempt at this type of tea, you will no doubt be ready to try many different types of flowers or loose green tea for yourself.

Visit http://www.bloomingteasite.com/ and find out more about the wonderful blooming tea also known as flowers tea and other different types of tea.