Green tea is made from the leaves of theCamellia sinensisplant.

The optimal amount of daily green tea intake for heart health benefits is unknown.

Catechins may protect againstneurodegenerativediseases such as Alzheimers disease, dementia, and Parkinsons disease.

A woman pouring green tea with mint from a glass teapot into a mug

Elena Fedorina/ Getty Images

A holistic plan for healthy weight loss and management is essential.

BMI is a dated, flawed measure.

It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age.

Maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors is essential to improving your overall health.

However, clinical trials on human skin are necessary to confirm green tea’s therapeutic benefits.

Stronger Bones

Drinking green tea may support bone health by reducing bone loss and increasing bone density.

According to a 2018 study published inNutrients,habitual tea consumption may help protect against bone fracture.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate(EGCG)is the most abundant catechin in green tea.

Studies show ECGC has:

A one-cup serving of unsweetened green tea has about two to three calories.

It also contains trace amounts of minerals likepotassium,magnesium, andiron.

Adding milk, sugar, or honey may enhance the flavor of green tea.

However, these additions alter tea’s nutritional content.

Some studies suggest that adding milk to tea may reduce its antioxidant benefits.

Side Effects

Drinking green tea daily is generally considered safe.

Green tea contains about 28 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per 8-ounce cup.

However, the caffeine content of green tea can vary depending on how it’s prepared.

Hot water (vs. cold brewing) and longer steeping time will extract more caffeine.

Who Should Avoid Green Tea?

Green tea extracts are available in capsule, liquid, and powder forms.

Green tea can be enjoyed as an iced or hot beverage.

Store green tea products in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place.

This means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.

Green tea is generally safe in moderation, and most adverse side effects are related to its caffeine content.

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