Green tea is often a healthy diet menu choice. The caffeine content in green tea is effective in accelerating weight loss and reducing body fat. However, you are not advised to drink excessive green tea. To be safe for health, know how to consume green tea for the right diet.
Not only does it contain caffeine which is good for the diet, the Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) content in green tea is effective at burning calories in the body. However, to get optimal benefits, you need to apply several ways to consume green tea for the following safe diet.
How to Consume Green Tea for the Right Diet
Here are some ways to consume tea while on a diet that is safe for health:
1. Avoid drinking green tea on an empty stomach
Quoted from The Tea Shelf, drinking green tea on an empty stomach risks stomach ache. This is because the content of polyphenols or what are called tannins in green tea triggers stomach acid to rise, causing a burning sensation in the chest, abdominal pain, constipation, and nausea. Therefore, make sure you eat before drinking green tea.
2. Avoid drinking green tea immediately after eating
It is recommended that you drink green tea when your stomach is full. However, you should not drink green tea immediately after eating, because the caffeine and tannins in green tea can inhibit the absorption of nutrients from food. Therefore, consume green tea at least 30-45 minutes after eating.
3. Safe limits for consumption of green tea
Another way to drink green tea for a safe diet is to drink it within reasonable limits. This is because drinking excessive tea is at risk of poisoning and damage to the liver. Quoted from Healthline, to get optimal benefits, it is recommended that you drink a maximum of 3-5 cups of green tea per day. If consumed within safe limits, green tea can significantly reduce weight and reduce bad cholesterol and blood sugar levels in the body. In addition, for an optimal diet program, you should not add sugar to green tea.
4. Balance it by drinking lots of water
Green tea is a diuretic which triggers you to urinate frequently. Therefore, balance it with drinking plenty of water to replace lost body fluids and avoid dehydration. In addition, drinking lots of water can support your diet program. Research quoted from Obesity a Research Journal found that adequate water intake can reduce fat, thereby accelerating weight loss.
5. Avoid drinking green tea at night
Drinking green tea at night can interfere with the quality of your sleep. This is because the caffeine content in green tea can keep you awake all night. In addition, drinking green tea at night can increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
6. Adding other healthful natural ingredients
The health benefits of green tea are unquestionable. Besides being high in antioxidants, this drink is effective in increasing the body’s metabolism. In order to get optimal benefits, you can mix other natural ingredients, such as mint leaves or ginger, into green tea. This method can also improve the taste of green tea.
