Green Tea Side Effects
Are There Any Side Effects from taking Green Tea?
Everybody is talking about the benefits green tea has on
our health. But, are there any green tea side effects, and
what are they? The benefits of green tea are such as helping
cancer, arthritis, cholesterol, heart problems, infections
and immune system and the latest research has shown that green
tea is also beneficial in fighting against HIV.
The green tea is generally free of any side effects. However,
pregnant women are advised to reduce their intake during pregnancy
as it was found in different research studies that the EGCG
or the epigallocatechins will affect the way folate is used
by the body. This element is of extreme implication for pregnant
women, since it checks neural tube birth defects in newborns.
The EGCG in the green tea is structurally almost the same
as another compound called methotrexate. This compound, when
combined with an enzyme called DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase)
is known to help kill cancerous cells. The same enzyme also
helps in converting the folate (which is a nutrient) into
what the body needs in order to support normal functions.
Because of the chemical similarity of the EGCG with the methotrexate,
this will also combine with the DHFR and when this happens,
the folate processing is affected.
It is not clear how much is too much, therefore, the green
tea side effects may or may not be prevented by reducing the
intake. This is why it is advisable not to have green tea
during pregnancy.
Besides all these, there are generally no known green tea
side effects. The medical fraternity is of the opinion however,
that there is some amount of caffeine in green tea, which
sometimes triggers insomnia just like coffee. This is another
among the probable green tea side effects that research studies
have yet to proof. Just to play safe, the consumption of tea
is contra-indicated during pregnancy.
Besides that, it was found that moderate intake of caffeine,
either from tea or coffee will not actually pose any risk
to the would-be mother or her baby. The danger only comes
when there is a daily consumption of multiple cups of green
tea which it might cause low birth weight, premature birth
and even fetal death.
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