This Is The Maximum Amount Of Green Tea You Should Drink Each Day
Green tea is a popular beverage that is known for its health benefits. However, to gain many of the benefits, you should probably knock back more than one cup of green tea per day. The amount of tea required varies based on the benefit you're looking for, but this amount can be quite high. And though it's rarely mentioned because the health benefits get all of the focus, there are drawbacks to consuming too much green tea.
The health benefits of green tea come from different nutrients and plant compounds in the tea, such as antioxidants called catechins, which can help protect against cancer. Studies have shown that those who drink green tea are less likely to get prostate or breast cancer compared to non-drinkers, and it can also lower your risk of developing heart disease or type 2 diabetes (via Healthline).
Additionally, because of the caffeine, green tea may help with weight loss, as studies have shown that drinking green tea can increase your metabolism, allowing it to burn an extra 75 to 100 calories per day.
Green tea can also potentially improve brain function and dental health, as well as lower your risk of arthritis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's. It is also anti-inflammatory. Inflammation can be a factor in many health issues, including hypertension and diabetes (via Mind Body Green). The question is, though, how much green tea do you have to drink to get these benefits?
Negative effects of too much green tea
You need to drink more than three cups to help reduce the risk of breast cancer, more than five cups to reduce prostate cancer, and six or more cups to lower your risk of diabetes. Overall, experts recommend drinking between three to five cups to gain health benefits, and at between 24 and 40 ounces per day, that's a lot of tea.
This brings us to the other side of things. Green tea has caffeine, and five cups may be a lot. Too much caffeine can result in anxiety, poor sleep, stomach discomfort, and headaches. Many people metabolize caffeine slowly or have caffeine sensitivities. Generally, the amount of caffeine in green tea will not be enough to hurt you, especially considering it has quite a bit less than coffee (30 to 40 mg per cup of green tea compared to 95 to 165 mg per cup of coffee). However, you should finish your green tea by 3 pm to prevent sleep disruptions.
Another potential issue results from the catechins, which may help to reduce cancer, but can also reduce the ability of the body to absorb iron. Catechins can also interfere with medications. However, this problem is more likely with green tea supplements.
Drinking green tea in moderation can be beneficial, but if you drink many cups a day, try to space them away from food so the catechins don't have a negative effect on your iron levels or the effectiveness of your medication. It is also a good idea for those on medication to speak with their doctor before drinking too much green tea. Overall, though, stick to no more than six cups per day.