Overview

The Camellia sinensis plant yields green tea. A variety of teas, including black and oolong teas, are made from dried leaves and leaf buds.
The Camellia sinensis leaves are steamed, pan-fried, and then dried to make green tea. Since green tea is not fermented, it can retain crucial compounds called polyphenols, which are thought to be the primary cause of many of its health advantages. It furthermore has caffeine.

For genital warts, people frequently take a prescription drug that has received FDA approval in the US. Green tea is occasionally used as a beverage or dietary supplement to treat excessive cholesterol, high blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and prevent ovarian cancer. There are several more ailments for which it is also utilized, however, the majority of these applications lack strong scientific backing.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea has long been praised for its health advantages. According to studies, drinking green tea may, among other things, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, aid with weight reduction, and improve skin health.

Green tea is packed with health benefits due to its rich content of antioxidants and bioactive compounds. It's known to boost metabolism, aid in weight management, and improve brain function. Its catechins help fight cellular damage, reducing the risk of various cancers. Green tea promotes heart health by lowering bad cholesterol levels and reducing blood pressure. It also contains compounds that enhance insulin sensitivity, aiding in diabetes management. Moreover, its antibacterial properties promote dental health. Regular consumption of green tea may also support longevity and help in maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Cancer Prevention

Green tea is believed to aid in cancer prevention due to its high levels of antioxidants, particularly catechins like EGCG. These compounds help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, reducing cellular damage and potentially inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Research suggests that regular consumption of green tea is associated with a decreased risk of various cancers, such as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. While more studies are needed to fully understand its mechanisms, incorporating green tea into a balanced diet may contribute to a lower cancer risk and overall health benefits.

Weight Loss

Green tea can assist in weight loss through several mechanisms. Its active compounds, like catechins and caffeine, can boost metabolism and increase the body's calorie-burning rate. Catechins may also aid in fat oxidation and reduce the absorption of dietary fats. The combination of caffeine and other bioactive compounds can enhance physical performance, encouraging exercise. Additionally, green tea can help control appetite and cravings, leading to reduced calorie intake. While it's not a magical solution, incorporating green tea into a balanced diet and active lifestyle can potentially support weight loss efforts by promoting calorie expenditure, fat breakdown, and improved eating habits.

Inflammatory skin conditions

Green tea contains polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties. Applying green tea topically or consuming it may help soothe inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Its antioxidants can reduce redness, and irritation, and promote overall skin health. However, individual responses may vary, and consulting a dermatologist is recommended for personalized advice.

Heart Health

Green tea can positively impact heart health. Its antioxidants, particularly catechins, help lower bad cholesterol levels and improve the ratio of good to bad cholesterol. The polyphenols in green tea may also contribute to reduced blood pressure, enhancing cardiovascular function. Regular consumption is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. However, it's important to maintain a balanced diet and active lifestyle alongside green tea consumption for optimal heart health benefits.

Uses & Effectiveness

Likely Effective for 

• Human papillomavirus, also known as HPV, is a sexually transmitted illness that can cause genital warts or cancer. For the treatment of genital warts, a particular green tea extract ointment called Polyphenol E ointment 15% is accessible only by prescription. In between 24% and 60% of patients, using the ointment for 10 to 16 weeks tends to remove these kinds of warts.

Possibly Effective for

• Cardiovascular illness. Green tea consumption has been associated with a lower incidence of artery-clogging. The correlation appears to be greater in men than in women. People who consume at least three cups of green tea each day may also have a decreased chance of dying from heart disease.
• Endometrial carcinoma is a cancer of the uterine lining. Green tea consumption has been related to a lower risk of getting endometrial cancer.
• Hyperlipidemia is characterized by elevated amounts of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood. Green tea appears to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol by a little amount when consumed orally.
• Cancer of the ovaries. Drinking green tea regularly appears to lower the risk of ovarian cancer.

There is some curiosity about utilizing green tea for other uses, but there isn't enough trustworthy information to indicate if it would be beneficial.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Green tea is a widely used beverage. Green tea in modest doses (approximately 8 cups per day) is probably safe for most individuals. Green tea extract may be safe when consumed for up to two years or used as a mouthwash for a brief period.

Drinking more than 8 cups of green tea each day may be harmful. Caffeine may create adverse effects if used in big quantities. These adverse effects, which include headache and irregular pulse, can range from moderate to severe. Green tea extract also includes a substance that, in large amounts, has been related to liver damage.

When applied to the skin: When a short-term FDA-approved ointment is applied, green tea extract is probably safe. When used properly, other green tea products might be harmless.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy: Green tea use may be safe in amounts of six cups or less per day. About 300 mg of caffeine may be found in this quantity of green tea. Overindulging when pregnant is conceivably dangerous and has been connected to a higher chance of miscarriage and other side effects. Green tea may also raise the risk of folic acid deficiency-related birth abnormalities.

Breastfeeding: A breastfeeding infant may be affected by caffeine, which is excreted in breast milk. While breastfeeding, keep an eye on your caffeine intake to make sure it stays on the low side (2-3 cups per day). Infants who are breastfed may experience sleep issues, irritability, and increased bowel movement if their mothers consume large amounts of coffee while nursing.

Children: When consumed orally at proportions typically found in meals and drinks, or when gargled three times per day for up to 90 days, green tea may be safe for kids. Green tea extract taken orally by youngsters is not known to be safe based on a sufficient amount of trustworthy information. There is considerable worry that it might harm the liver.

Anemia: Drinking green tea may make anemia worse.

Anxiety disorders: Green tea's caffeine content may exacerbate anxiety.

Bleeding disorders: Green tea's caffeine content may make bleeding more likely. If you suffer from a bleeding issue, avoid drinking green tea.

Heart conditions: The caffeine in green tea has the potential to produce irregular heartbeat when consumed in big doses.

Diabetes: Green tea's caffeine may interfere with the regulation of blood sugar. If you consume green tea and have diabetes, keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels.

Diarrhea: Green tea contains caffeine, which can make diarrhea worse, especially when consumed in big doses.

Seizures: Caffeine is present in green tea. Caffeine in high dosages has the potential to trigger seizures or interfere with the effects of medications used to stop them. Avoid using excessive levels of caffeine or items containing caffeine, such as green tea, if you've ever experienced a seizure.

Glaucoma: The pressure inside the eye rises when green tea is consumed. Within 30 minutes, there is a rise, and it continues for at least 90 minutes.

High blood pressure: Green tea contains caffeine, which may raise blood pressure in those with high blood pressure. However, those who routinely drink caffeine from green tea or other sources can have less of this impact.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Caffeine is present in green tea. When consumed in excessive doses, the caffeine in green tea may make some IBS sufferers' diarrhea worse.

Liver disease: Supplements with green tea extract have been associated with a small number of cases of liver injury. Green tea extracts might exacerbate liver illness. Before ingesting green tea extract, consult your doctor. Normal levels of green tea consumption are probably still safe.

Weak bones (osteoporosis): Calcium excretion in the urine can be increased by consuming green tea. This might make bones brittle. Avoid consuming more than 6 cups of green tea per day if you have osteoporosis. The risk of developing osteoporosis does not appear to be increased by consuming roughly 8 cups of green tea per day if you are typically healthy and have enough calcium through your diet or supplements.

Dosing

The beverage green tea is widely eaten. A green tea ointment with FDA approval is furthermore offered.

The most often used green tea supplements are powder and extracts. The quantity of polyphenols or antioxidants in green tea products is normally standardized. Drinks made from green tea generally contain 178–823 mg of a particular type of polyphenol known as catechin per cup. Caffeine is also present in green tea. Find out from a healthcare professional what kind of product and dosage could be ideal for a certain ailment.