Green tea is made from unfermented tea leaves. While most commonly used in beverages, the tea has become a popular ingredient in
dietary supplements. It is claimed to provide a wide variety of health benefits, including weight loss and
lower cholesterol.
There are numerous known active components in green tea. It contains several different polyphenols. Polyphenols may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. The tea also contains caffeine, which is why it may increase alertness (but may also cause some side effects).
It is clearly not the "cure-all" that it is often claimed to be. However, it may be effective for a number of different uses
(see Does Green Tea Work? for more information).
It is difficult to recommend a universal dosage, since there are so many different forms of green tea products that may contain differing amounts of the active components. Also, clear dosing recommendations for green tea have not yet been established.
Side Effects of Green Tea
It can cause several side effects, including:
(Click Green Tea Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Normal consumption (through beverages) is probably safe for most people, but medicinal use can cause serious problems. Some people may be more likely to experience problems due to green tea. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking it medicinally if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Is Green Tea Safe? for more information, including any available warnings and precautions.)
What If I Take a Green Tea Overdose?
Consuming large amounts of it could cause serious problems due to the caffeine content, since a caffeine overdose can be quite dangerous.
