When Is It The Best Moment Of Day To Drink Green Tea?

In addition to its special taste, green tea is a drink known for its nutritional properties, being rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral effects, stimulates the metabolism, and strengthens the body's natural defense system against diseases.

However, there are times when green tea contributes more to well-being. Here are these:

In the morning

Green tea stimulates the ability to concentrate and attention, especially due to its caffeine content. Unlike coffee or other caffeinated beverages, green tea also has L-Theanine, an amino acid with calming properties. Thus, a cup of tea will improve your brain functions and mood, but without giving you a state of agitation.

However, avoid consuming green tea on an empty stomach, as it stimulates the production of gastric acid.

Before and after doing sports (especially if you want to lose weight)

Research suggests that it is good to drink green tea before exercising (for example, before going to the gym or running). One study showed that people who drank green tea extract before training had 17% higher fat burns compared to the control group. In addition, thanks to caffeine, you will have more energy and enjoy exercise.

Scientists have also found that green tea speeds up recovery after intense exertion: according to research, supplementation with 500 mg of green tea extract reduces the degree of muscle damage after training.

2 hours before and after meals

Some compounds in green tea, such as tannins and EGCG, can block the absorption of minerals in the body, such as iron, copper, or chromium. Therefore, especially if you have anemia, it is best to drink green tea between meals and not combine it with other foods. If you want to enjoy a cup of green tea at the table, make sure you eat foods rich in vitamin C, which increases the absorption of iron (sea buckthorn, citrus, currants, kiwi, broccoli, hot peppers, strawberries, etc.). Alternatively, you can put a little lemon juice in the tea.

Green tea in the evening?

If you have an increased sensitivity to caffeine, it may be a good idea to use herbal and fruit infusions in the evening instead of green tea. Infusions of rooibos, lavender, or chamomile will calm you down and help you slow down as you prepare for bed. Specialists recommend that there be at least 2–6 hours before bedtime in which to avoid green tea if you know you are having a hard time falling asleep. More about caffeine in green tea in this article.

If you still want to drink green tea in the evening, choose varieties with less caffeine, such as Genmaicha, Gunpowder, Hojicha, or Kukicha. To further reduce the caffeine content, you can put fewer leaves, let it infuse for a shorter time, or use water at a lower temperature.

10 benefits of Green Tea

1. Nutritionists mention that the polyphenols contained in green tea produce extra heat in the body and help burn calories.
2. Green tea leaves contain epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which helps the body fight cancer cells without negatively affecting neighboring tissues.
3. Researchers have confirmed in-depth studies that people who include green tea in their diet are less likely to be overweight than those who do not use green tea.
4. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) helps moderate energy loss over a day
5. Green tea reduces the risk of stroke.
6. Green tea also has a beneficial effect on high blood pressure and bad LDL cholesterol.
7. Green tea contains catechin, polyphenols that slow down the reaction rate of gastric and pancreatic lipases - enzymes responsible for converting calories into fat.
8. Catechins destroy bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Toxins produced by these bacteria are also eradicated.
9. Another action of catechins is to stop the evolution and growth of cancer cells.
10. Green tea contains moderate amounts of caffeine, acting by suppressing appetite (large amounts of caffeine, such as those in coffee, can cause medical problems, including hypertension and insomnia).

Conclusion

You can drink green tea at any time of the day if you want to enjoy its taste and the energy it offers you. After all, it's about personal preferences.

But if you follow especially the health benefits, following the above recommendations you will take full advantage of its nutritional properties.