When should you drink tea, what is the best time to drink green tea, and is drinking stale tea harmful, then what are the benefits of tea and what are its harms?
When should you drink tea?
Generally, the afternoon, after lunch, may be the best time to drink black tea or green tea.
The tea contains caffeine that can increase your energy, and it also supports the digestive system.
For most people, their energy tends to decline after meals and in the morning.
Accordingly, it makes sense to drink tea after lunch during the day.
It is recommended that this be done about 30 minutes after a meal to reduce the effect on nutrient absorption, especially in the elderly or those with iron deficiency.
Also a good time to drink tea is in the morning.
However, since tea contains caffeine, it is not recommended to drink it after dinner.
Best time to drink green tea
1- in the morning
Many choose to drink a cup of green tea first thing in the morning to increase focus.
The drink's brain-stimulating properties are partly due to the presence of caffeine, a stimulant shown to enhance attention and alertness, according to a report in Healthline.
However, unlike coffee and other caffeinated drinks, green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that has calming effects.
L-theanine and caffeine work together to improve brain function and mood without causing the negative side effects that may accompany caffeine alone.
For this reason, enjoying this tea first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day.
2- Before or after exercise
Some research suggests that drinking green tea may be especially beneficial right before exercise.
A study in 13 women showed that drinking 3 servings of green tea the day before a workout and another serving 2 hours before increased fat burning during exercise.
Moreover, the tea may speed up recovery after intense exercise.
Worst time to drink tea
Many of the compounds in tea can bind to minerals in your body and prevent them from being absorbed.
In particular, tannins are compounds found in tea that reduce iron absorption.
Heavy tea drinking may affect the body's ability to absorb iron and zinc.
Therefore, it is recommended to drink tea between meals and not with food, especially for the elderly and those with iron deficiency.
Furthermore, research shows that a type of catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) found in green tea can bind to minerals like iron and copper, preventing them from being absorbed into your body.
Several studies have shown that drinking tea with meals can reduce iron absorption, which can lead to iron deficiency over time.
Therefore, it is best to drink green and black tea between meals if possible, especially if you are deficient in iron or other key minerals.
Is drinking stale tea harmful?
In most cases, old 'stale' tea will be less tasty than it should be, ie it will taste poorly.
Although consuming stale tea is not usually dangerous, it must be ensured that it is not spoiled.
If the stale tea tastes bad, or if you notice mold, get rid of it and do not drink it.
Benefits of drinking tea
black tea benefits
Black tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which undergoes a process called oxidation that turns the leaves from green to dark brown black.
Oxidation means leaves are exposed to moist, oxygen-rich air, according to webmd.
Black tea has many benefits, including:
Rich in antioxidants.
Promote heart health.
Lowering bad LDL cholesterol.
Improve gut health.
Improve alertness and focus.
It may help lower blood pressure.
It may help reduce the risk of stroke.
May lower blood sugar levels.
It may help reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Benefits of green tea
Green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant.
It is prepared by steaming the leaves of Camellia sinensis and then drying them.
Green tea is not fermented.
It contains healthy bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which are natural compounds that have health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and helping fight cancer, and a type of catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).
Catechins are natural antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provide other benefits.
It may improve brain function.
Increases fat burning.
It contains antioxidants that may reduce the risk of some types of cancer.
It may protect the brain from aging.
It may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
It may help prevent cardiovascular disease.
It may help you lose weight.
Disadvantages of drinking black tea
Drinking a lot of black tea, such as more than 5 cups a day, is unsafe.
Large amounts of black tea can cause side effects due to the caffeine in it.
These side effects can range from mild to serious and include headache, nervousness, trouble sleeping, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as irritability, irregular heartbeat, tremors, acidity, as well as dizziness, ringing in the ears, convulsions, and confusion.
Also, people who drink black tea or other caffeinated beverages all the time, especially in large amounts, can develop psychological dependence, according to WebMed.
Disadvantages of drinking green tea
Drinking green tea in moderate amounts (about 8 cups per day) is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people.
Conversely, drinking more than 8 cups of green tea per day may be unsafe.
Drinking large amounts may cause side effects due to the caffeine content.
These side effects can range from mild to serious and include headache and irregular heartbeat.
Green tea extract also contains a chemical linked to liver injury when used in high doses, according to the WebMed website.
What happens to your body when you drink tea daily?
These are the benefits that you may get when drinking tea daily:
Reducing the risk of diseases such as diabetes and even cardiovascular diseases, as most types of tea contain polyphenols, which can help reduce the risk of these diseases.
Boost the immune system.
Help control blood sugar. The plants from which some teas are made contain compounds that help reduce inflammation and control blood sugar levels.
Get more water that hydrates the body.
Helping control your weight Drinking tea or black coffee instead of any sugary drink is an easy way to cut calories and lose weight.