The best time to drink green tea for optimal health
Drinking green tea at the right time is very good for health
Experts advise that whether you drink green tea for weight loss or for its antioxidant properties, it should be consumed in moderation and at the right times. Here are the best times to drink green tea for your health:
Morning
Dan Tri Newspaper, citing Healthline, reported that many people choose to drink a gentle cup of green tea in the morning to enhance concentration. The mind-improving properties of this beverage are partly due to the presence of caffeine, a stimulant proven to help boost attention and alertness.
However, unlike coffee and other caffeinated beverages, green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation.
L-theanine and caffeine work together to improve brain function and mood without causing the negative side effects often associated with caffeine consumption.
For this reason, enjoying this tea first thing in the morning is a wonderful way to kick-start your day on the right foot.
A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry showed that drinking green tea in the morning can help improve mood and enhance alertness.
Right before eating
Drinking green tea before meals can support digestion and reduce the risk of diabetes. Dan Tri Newspaper, citing Healthline, reported that a study from The Journal of Nutrition showed drinking green tea before meals helps reduce postprandial blood sugar levels.
Catechins in green tea have been shown to help lower blood sugar levels and improve glucose metabolism in the body.
Early evening
Suc khoe & Doi song Newspaper quoted Fabien Badariotti, PhD in Molecular Biology and Scientific Council Member of the French Plant Research Center, stating that while green tea is often associated with caffeine and energy, it can also have a calming effect and promote better sleep. The best time to drink green tea to support sleep is early in the evening, at least 2 hours before bedtime.
To promote better sleep, drink green tea in the early evening and limit caffeine intake late in the day. This allows the effects of caffeine to wear off and the calming effects of the theanine in green tea to take hold. Alternatively, you can choose teas such as chamomile as a bedtime drink to promote sleep.
Do not drink tea before going to bed
Avoid drinking green tea before bedtime because it contains caffeine and has a diuretic effect. Although green tea contains less caffeine than other teas, even lower levels of caffeine can impair the ability to fall asleep.
Moreover, because it has a diuretic effect, drinking it before bed will make you wake up to use the bathroom and disrupt your sleep. Therefore, drink green tea at least 1–2 hours before bedtime. This will help you burn fat even while you sleep.
During times of stress and anxiety
Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, a substance proven to help reduce stress and anxiety. When combined with caffeine, L-theanine produces a calming and focused effect. Research from Nutritional Neuroscience has shown that green tea can help improve mood states and reduce feelings of anxiety.
When having the flu
Drinking green tea when having a cold or flu can help boost the immune system and relieve symptoms. Green tea contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds that support the immune system in fighting off pathogens.