Everyone immediately points to coffee or energy drinks at the mention of caffeine. Meanwhile, there are many more drinks that contain it. Examples include cocoa beverages, soda, espresso, and supplements.
But, how about green tea? Is green tea caffeinated? If yes, what are the implications, and how can you reduce the caffeine content in it? These and many more questions will be answered in this post. So, read on!
Is green tea caffeinated?
Of course, green tea is caffeinated. The source of this tea is the Camellia Sinensis plantwhich naturally contains caffeine. As a result, all teas from it contain caffeine, though in various degrees.
But you may want to ask, what is the quantity of caffeine in green tea? Well, green tea comes in different types and each type appears differently; hence, you would have different concentrations of caffeine.
For instance, Matcha, due to its powdered appearance tends to have more percentage of caffeine than hojicha and some other green tea with a loose appearance.
However, on average, the caffeine content in green tea is 35 to 45mg per serving of 8 ounces (235mls).
Meanwhile, in comparison to other teas and drinks, green tea’s caffeine content is relatively low. As a result, it is safe to drink so long you don’t exceed the prescribed quantity (not more than 200mg at any serving), which will lead to an overdose of caffeine.
Benefits of caffeinated drinks
Many dieticians talk about caffeine as though it were the bogeyman of nutrition. Yet, it is easily one of the most popular components of drinks and beverages worldwide.
In some, it is present as a macro component, while for others, much less. There are several reasons why this is so. Here are some benefits of taking caffeinated drinks you may be unaware of.
Instant Power-up
First, caffeine is a stimulant that releases adrenaline and cortisol in more quantity than usual. Hence, there is an increase in activity in the brain and nervous system.
The good thing is that its action is rapid. So, if you’re feeling weak and giddy, it’s a quick fix.
Detoxification
Drinking beverages with caffeine are a sure way to make you pee. Passing out fluid through urinating and sweating is one of the body’s methods of removing waste products.
We have caffeine to thank in many of our drinks that are natural diuretics. I am sure you now know why most teas will cause you to frequent the toilet after drinking them 🙂
Improve Muscular Endurance
Taking caffeinated drinks is another way of prolonging the presence of glucose in your body. They help to sustain energy during physical activities.
And, this is the reason why there’s always a soda in the cooler for sportsmen and women.
Reduces the risk of having diabetes
Studies reveal that those who take caffeine stand a lesser chance of having type-2 diabetes.
Overall, there are several other health benefits of caffeine that have scientific verification. In other words, this compound is valuable to your well-being. You don’t have to regard it as unhealthy.
Side Effects of Caffeinated Green Tea
People drink green tea for several reasons. For some, it is to help with their digestion, and others use it in the hope of poopingwith ease. There are also indications that it can even help with conditions ofacid reflux.
Despite all of this, there are still some downsides to green tea. These include:
Dehydration
Green tea is a diureticand would make you lose moisture. It also follows that when you take it in excess consistently, you risk being dehydrated.
Constipation
You still have this to blame on the caffeine in it. It is one of the consequences of dehydration. With less fluid for waste to pass through the colon, bowel movement becomes difficult and even painful.
Diarrhea
While green tea is known tohelp with diarrhea, there is also the risk of contracting it from drinking beyond the recommended limit. Once again, you can blame it on the caffeine.
It can draw moisture to your poop beyond what is ideal. As a result, you begin to run stool.
How to Reduce Caffeine in Green Tea?
You love to drink green tea, but you feel discouraged by the caffeine content. Not to worry, there are ways of decaffeinating it so that you never have to suffer the side effects anymore.
Just follow these simple steps.
- Soak it in water for about 30 seconds before boiling: The fact is that the longer you soak, the more the tea’s essence diffuses. So, do not soak it longer so that you’ll still have much to get from it.
- Select the variety with less caffeine content: Among the various types and brands of green tea, Matcha has the most caffeine, while Hojicha has the minimum. So, while going to the stores to get some green tea, do well to check the labels.
- Drink hot: Taking your tea hot will let you get the most of L-theanine, which works hand-in-hand with caffeine in green tea. It is an amino acid that works to counterbalance the effect of caffeine. The result is that you enjoy the benefits of caffeine and ditch its downside.
- Drink some water: Should you feel you are suffering from caffeine overdose at any time, drinking lots of water is one way to flush it out. You only won’t mind that you have to pee frequently.
Moreover, some factors usually affect the caffeine content in green tea. Some of these factors are the geographical location of cultivation, time of the season leaves were harvested, culturing, and processing method.
So, you shouldn’t be taken aback if the caffeine content in your green tea is moderate or above normal.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are several things to enjoy by taking caffeinated drinks. In like manner, green tea, though containing caffeine, has several benefits. Did we fail to mention that it can even help you in colon cleansing?
Caffeine in itself is nothing to fear. Besides, green tea doesn’t have so much of it to make you feel uncomfortable in the long run.
But just like every other thing, moderation is the key. As good as green tea is, taking it in excess can bring some undesired effects on you. Keep it at four hot cups a day and you’ll have nothing to fear.
