The Best Times to Drink Green Tea for Optimal Health
Drinking green tea at the right time provides significant health benefits
Experts recommend that whether you drink green tea for weight loss or for its antioxidant properties, it is essential to consume it in moderation and at the right time. Here are the best times to drink green tea for your health:
In the Morning
Citing Healthline, Dan Tri newspaper notes that many people choose to sip a soothing cup of green tea in the morning to enhance focus. The mind-sharpening qualities of this drink are partly due to the presence of caffeine, a stimulant proven to boost attention and alertness.
However, unlike coffee and other caffeinated beverages, green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid with calming properties.
L-theanine and caffeine work together to improve brain function and mood without producing the negative side effects that can accompany caffeine consumption.
For this reason, enjoying a cup of green tea first thing in the morning is a wonderful way to get your day off to a great start.
A study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry demonstrated that drinking green tea in the morning can help improve mental state and boost alertness.
Right Before Meals
Drinking green tea before meals can support digestion and reduce the risk of diabetes. Citing Healthline, Dan Tri newspaper reported that a study from The Journal of Nutrition revealed that drinking green tea before meals helps lower postprandial blood sugar levels.
Catechins in green tea have been shown to help lower blood glucose and improve sugar metabolism in the body.
In the Early Evening
Suc Khoe & Doi Song newspaper quoted Fabien Badariotti, PhD in molecular biology and member of the scientific council of the French Plant Research Center, stating that while green tea is often linked to caffeine and energy, it can also have a calming effect and foster better sleep. The best time to drink green tea to support sleep is in the early evening, at least two hours before going to bed.
To promote restful sleep, enjoy green tea in the early evening and limit caffeine intake later in the day. This allows the caffeine to wear off so the soothing effect of theanine in green tea can take hold. Alternatively, you can choose herbal infusions such as chamomile tea as a bedtime drink to help you sleep.
Avoid Drinking Tea Right Before Bedtime
You should avoid drinking green tea right before going to bed because it contains caffeine and acts as a diuretic. Although green tea has less caffeine than other varieties of tea, even modest amounts can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.
Furthermore, because of its diuretic properties, drinking it right before bed will wake you up for trips to the bathroom, disrupting your sleep. Therefore, drink green tea at least 1–2 hours before bedtime. This will also help your body burn fat even while you sleep.
During Times of Stress and Anxiety
Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, a substance shown to help reduce stress and anxiety. When combined with caffeine, L-theanine creates a calm, focused mental state. Research from Nutritional Neuroscience has pointed out that green tea can help improve psychological well-being and alleviate feelings of anxiety.
When Suffering from a Cold or Flu
Drinking green tea when you have a cold or flu can help strengthen your immune system and relieve symptoms. Green tea contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds that support the immune system in fighting off pathogens.