Advantages, Facet Results, and Extra


Inexperienced tea is likely one of the oldest drinks recognized to man. Originating in China, this drink comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and will date way back to 3,000 years in the past. As we speak, you’ll be able to take pleasure in inexperienced tea in every part from smoothies to cheesecakes—but it surely’s nonetheless a superb solo beverage, too. 

Apart from its earthy but delicate style, inexperienced tea provides quite a few well being advantages, particularly due to its plentiful ranges of antioxidants. Right here’s a have a look at how usually consuming this delicate beverage may enhance your well being. 

Inexperienced Tea Vitamin

Inexperienced tea comprises two energy per 1-cup serving and no vital quantities of protein, fats, carbohydrates, or sugar—until you add one thing to the tea like honey or uncooked sugar. However this delicate beverage is wealthy in antioxidants, making it a nutritious selection. In response to the USDA, 1 cup of brewed inexperienced tea comprises the next vitamins.

  • Energy: 2
  • Fats: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 0 g
  • Sugars: 0 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0.5 g
  • Sodium: 2 mg

Potential Well being Advantages of Inexperienced Tea

A mug right here or there of inexperienced tea in all probability received’t yield main well being advantages—however making a behavior of consuming it usually may add as much as some shocking perks for wellness. (As much as 8 cups per day is taken into account protected, although you’ll want to contemplate its caffeine content material to find out what’s best for you.) The next are some potential well being advantages of usually consuming inexperienced tea.

Might Enhance Cognitive Well being and Focus

When you have an essential take a look at or presentation arising, imbibing inexperienced tea beforehand may enhance your focus. A assessment that analyzed 49 research concluded that individuals who drank inexperienced tea confirmed improved efficiency on long-duration cognitive exams, in addition to higher self-reported alertness. The research’s researchers postulated that inexperienced tea’s energy-boosting caffeine and calming L-theanine mix to assist a state of focus.

Might Assist the Immune System

Inexperienced tea is a scorching beverage that may really feel soothing once you’re sick. Nevertheless it additionally might be able to forestall sickness, says Wan Na Chun, MPH, RD, CPT, a registered dietitian, private coach, and proprietor of One Pot Wellness in Indianapolis.

“Inexperienced tea comprises highly effective antioxidants that may present immune assist by a number of mechanisms,” says Chun. “Catechins, notably epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), are the primary antioxidants in inexperienced tea that promote immune operate. These compounds assist strengthen the immune system by defending it in opposition to oxidants and free radicals, decreasing total oxidative stress within the physique.” 

Chun says research have proven that inexperienced tea catechins can promote the proliferation of immune-strengthening T-cells and pure killer cells, modulating inflammatory responses. “Moreover, inexperienced tea polyphenols could positively affect intestine microbiota and enhance the physique’s manufacturing of antioxidant enzymes.”

Might Assist Coronary heart Well being

Inexperienced tea additionally could assist cardiovascular well being in a number of methods. For starters, some analysis has linked consuming inexperienced tea with considerably lowered levels of cholesterol. Different research have discovered that inexperienced tea consumption may yield small reductions in blood stress.

In a meta-analysis, wholesome adults who supplemented their weight-reduction plan with inexperienced tea skilled common reductions of two.99 mmHg of systolic blood stress and 0.95 mmHg of diastolic blood stress. As a result of each ldl cholesterol and blood stress ranges are essential indicators of coronary heart well being, these measures may have a significant influence on total cardiovascular wellness.

Might Play a Function in Stopping Some Cancers

Numerous analysis has examined whether or not inexperienced tea may play a job in most cancers prevention. Smaller research have linked inexperienced tea (and its stronger extract type) with various levels of success in staving off most cancers of the prostate, breasts, bladder, ovaries, and extra. 

Regardless of these promising outcomes, extra analysis is required to make any particular conclusions a few inexperienced tea-cancer connection. The Nationwide Heart for Complementary and Integrative Well being (NCCIH) doesn’t advocate for or in opposition to utilizing inexperienced tea to cut back the danger of any most cancers.

Might Cut back Signs of Inflammatory Bowel Illness

Inexperienced tea is rife with antioxidants—the compounds that scale back irritation by clearing cells of dangerous free radicals. It’s not shocking, then, that this beverage may enhance signs of inflammatory circumstances like Crohn’s illness and ulcerative colitis.

In response to analysis, inexperienced tea’s polyphenols are implicated within the inflammatory processes and severity of signs in individuals with inflammatory bowel illness. In case you reside with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, consuming inexperienced tea as a part of an anti-inflammatory weight-reduction plan is likely to be value a attempt.

Potential Facet Results

Although unwanted effects are unlikely from consuming average portions of inexperienced tea, caffeine is trigger for concern when you drink copious quantities, says Chun. “[Green tea’s] caffeine content material can result in insomnia, nervousness, irritability, and digestive points similar to nausea, acid reflux disorder, and diarrhea in caffeine-sensitive people.”

Moreover, the tannins in inexperienced tea can enhance abdomen acid, probably inflicting abdomen irritation and exacerbating circumstances like acid reflux disorder or ulcers, she provides. Inexperienced tea can also work together with sure medicines. Test with a healthcare supplier or pharmacist to forestall any adversarial remedy interactions.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions


  • Does inexperienced tea have caffeine?

    Inexperienced tea could not pack the caffeine punch of espresso, but it surely does comprise some. In a 1-cup serving, you’ll be able to anticipate to eat about 29 milligrams of caffeine. For reference, the identical quantity of brewed espresso usually comprises about 95 milligrams of caffeine. In fact, it’s additionally attainable to seek out inexperienced tea merchandise which have had their caffeine eliminated. Decaf tea baggage and brewed choices are extensively obtainable.


  • Does inexperienced tea enable you drop extra pounds?

    You’ll have seen inexperienced tea touted as a weight reduction support, whether or not in dietary supplements or as a solo drink. A number of research have checked out its skill to assist individuals drop extra pounds, primarily as a consequence of caffeine’s results on metabolism.

    For instance, one group of researchers analyzed 14 randomized managed trials and concluded that individuals who consumed the beverage for 12 weeks misplaced 0.2 to three.5 kilograms (0.44 to 7.7 kilos) greater than these in a management group. Nonetheless, these outcomes weren’t thought-about vital.

    In response to the NCCIH, inexperienced tea extracts additionally haven’t been proven to supply a significant weight reduction in adults who’re chubby or overweight, nor have they been proven to assist individuals keep weight loss.


  • How lengthy do you steep inexperienced tea?

    How lengthy you steep your tea could depend upon whether or not you’d prefer to drink it scorching or chilly. For decent steeping, Chun recommends simply two to a few minutes in water heated to round 175 levels Fahrenheit. “Steeping it for longer than this doesn’t essentially present extra well being advantages and will even have drawbacks.”

    As an illustration, steeping longer than wanted can create a bitter style, whereas shorter steeping instances can keep the fragile taste profile. Then again, for iced inexperienced tea, a lengthier steeping time may enhance advantages, she says. “Extended chilly steeping (about two hours) has been discovered to yield essentially the most antioxidants.”

Verywell Match makes use of solely high-quality sources, together with peer-reviewed research, to assist the details inside our articles. Learn our editorial course of to study extra about how we fact-check and hold our content material correct, dependable, and reliable.
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  4. Wu D, Wang J, Pae M, Meydani SN. Inexperienced tea EGCG, T cells, and T cell-mediated autoimmune ailments. Mol Features Med. 2012 Feb;33(1):107-18. doi:10.1016/j.mam.2011.10.001 

  5. Xu, R., Yang, Ok., Li, S. et al. Impact of inexperienced tea consumption on blood lipids: a scientific assessment and meta-analysis of randomized managed trialsNutr J 19, 48 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-020-00557-5

  6. Yıldırım Ayaz E, Dincer B, Mesci B. Impact of Inexperienced Tea on Blood Strain in Wholesome People: A Meta-Evaluation. Altern Ther Well being Med. 2023 Jul;29(5):66-73. 

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  8. USDA FoodData Central. Drinks, espresso, brewed, ready with faucet water.

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Sarah Garone

By Sarah Garone, NDTR

Sarah Garone, NDTR, is a well being and wellness author who runs a meals weblog.

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