The Worst Time To Drink Green Tea (And Best Time)
Nothing beats the taste of a warm cup of green tea. It’s light, subtly sweet, and can nourish the body with a handful of different health benefits.
But green tea is safe to be consumed throughout the day, right? Well, there are good and bad times, it’s best to avoid the worst time to drink. So, when is that?
Drinking green tea close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep because of its caffeine content. Although green tea has less caffeine than other beverages like coffee, it can still interfere with your sleep when consumed late in the evening. Additionally, green tea contains compounds called catechins, which can inhibit iron absorption from plant-based sources in your diet.
Read on to learn about the worst time to drink green tea (and the best times too). We’ll explore the best and worst times, why green tea isn’t ideal before bedtime, and which times will help with weight loss and skin.
The Worst Time To Drink Green Tea
The light and delicate taste of green tea with a vegetal, subtly sweet flavor. Enjoying a warm cup of freshly brewed green tea is never a bad time. However, there are worse times to drink green tea if you’re hypersensitive to caffeine, taking medication, or on an empty stomach.
An eight-ounce serving of green tea has approximately 30-50 mg of caffeine. Although it’s not much compared to coffee, it’s still enough to stimulate the body and mind.
Here are several times you may want to avoid green tea:
Before bedtime
Drinking green tea just before bedtime can disrupt your sleep due to its caffeine content. Although green tea has lower caffeine levels than coffee, it can still negatively affect sleep patterns. Avoid consuming green tea at least two to three hours before bed to ensure a good night’s sleep.
On an empty stomach
Green tea is considered slightly acidic, which may cause issues for some people. Drinking green tea on an empty stomach can lead to discomforts, such as stomach irritation and acidity. Green tea contains tannins which increase stomach acidity. Drinking green tea after a light snack is best to prevent this.
After a meal
Consuming it immediately after a meal affects the absorption of iron and other minerals, such as calcium, from your food. This might lead to a nutritional deficiency in the long run. Waiting at least 30 minutes after eating a meal before drinking green tea is recommended.
After taking medicine
Medication and green tea are a tricky combo. Polyphenols in green tea can bind with medicine in your body and lower its absorption level. This can delay your treatment. Yet, some drugs can benefit from green tea. It’s best to wait at least two hours after taking medication before having green tea.
The Best Time To Drink Green Tea
Green tea is best enjoyed in the morning or early afternoon. Its caffeine content can disrupt sleep if it’s taken too late. Enjoy it before exercise, study, or work for an energy boost.
According to research, drinking green tea and exercising can help decrease inflammation and oxidative stress. Green tea can support weight loss, maintain lean body mass, and reduce body fat and overall body fat percentage.
Personally, I’ve found these three times to be the best times to drink green tea. These times allow my mind and body to process the caffeine in green tea to improve my mental cognition and provide energy.
In the morning
Incorporating green tea into your morning routine can provide a gentle energy boost without the jitters associated with coffee. It has one of the lowest caffeine levels of any tea, so it’s a great alternative to coffee. Antioxidants found in green tea can help protect your cells from damage, making it a healthy way to start your day.
Before exercise
Having green tea before a workout is great because caffeine boosts energy. Whether lifting weights, running, swimming, or yoga, green tea gives just enough energy to power through a workout without feeling the jitters.
While studying or working
Drinking green tea while studying helps maintain mental alertness, improving staying focused. A warm cup of green tea is great for studying for school, taking notes, and working. It’s also a great energy boost after a lunch break too.
Why Green Tea Is Not Ideal During Certain Times of the Day
Green tea is known for its health benefits but contains caffeine. Be aware of the best time to drink it to get the most out of it.
Avoid having green tea on an empty stomach, which could cause acidity. Avoid green tea right before bed, as it can make you agitated or restless. Moreover, drinking it just before meals may prevent iron absorption. You can feel zen and invincible with the right amount of green tea, but be careful not to overdo it.
Should We Drink Green Tea On An Empty Stomach?
Green tea is known for its health benefits, but should it be consumed on an empty stomach? Some people will consume green tea while fasting since it contains very few calories.
It’s best to avoid drinking green tea on an empty stomach as it contains tannins that can harm the absorption of nutrients required by our body. Tannins bind with proteins, iron, and other nutrients in food, making them difficult to absorb by our digestive system.
Green tea contains caffeine which can have adverse effects when consumed on an empty stomach. This could result in headaches, dizziness, and increased heart rate. It’s recommended to consume green tea after having a meal or during a meal rather than on an empty stomach.
When Should We Drink Green Tea For Weight Loss
Green tea is a popular beverage for people looking to lose weight, and studies suggest it can aid in weight loss when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. One of the most important compounds found in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This compound is known to boost metabolism.
The timing of when you drink it can affect its efficacy in aiding weight loss. Drinking green tea before or during meals can help increase metabolism and reduce appetite, leading to better weight loss results.
If weight loss is your goal, drink green tea 30 minutes before meals. This timing can help to:
- Suppress appetite
- Increase metabolism
- Enhance fat burning
Drinking green tea before meals can reduce caloric intake and increase weight loss. Adapting your green tea consumption by considering better daily times can help you accomplish your weight loss goals. Add green tea into your daily routine or drink it before meals to support your weight loss journey.
How Much Green Tea Should You Drink Per Day?
To get the most health benefits from green tea, drinking 3-5 cups daily is ideal, according to Healthline. However, the quantity may depend on your tolerance to caffeine and individual health needs. It’s best to distribute your green tea intake throughout the day for optimal absorption of its beneficial compounds.
Why Can’t You Drink Green Tea During the Night?
Not everyone can drink green tea at night because of its caffeine content. An 8-ounce serving of green tea contains 30-50 mg of caffeine. Although it’s not a lot, caffeine can still disrupt sleep patterns and make it difficult to fall asleep. For this reason, it’s best to stop drinking green tea two to three hours before bedtime.
Alternative Tea Options That Don’t Have Caffeine
If you’re looking for different options to enjoy during the worst time to drink green tea, consider these alternatives:
Herbal Teas
Experiment with herbal teas to find a taste you enjoy and that suits your needs. These caffeine-free infusions come from various plants’ dried leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds.
Some flavorful and popular options include:
- Chamomile tea: Known for its calming effect, chamomile is perfect for winding down in the evening.
- Peppermint tea: A refreshing choice, peppermint can help with digestion and provide a natural energy boost.
- Ginger tea: Its spicy and warming taste may help ease nausea and reduce inflammation.
Try different herbal combinations to find the best flavors and benefits for you.
Decaffeinated Green Tea
If you love green tea’s taste and health benefits but want to avoid caffeine later in the day, try decaffeinated green tea. This alternative option gives you green tea’s antioxidants and flabor without caffeine.
To ensure you get decaffeinated green tea with minimal processing, look for brands that use CO2 or water processing methods. This helps preserve the tea’s beneficial properties while removing most caffeine content.
Both herbal teas and decaffeinated green tea are great alternatives to enjoy without the effects of caffeine. You can maintain your daily tea routine while adjusting to your body’s needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Worst Time To Drink Green Tea
What not to eat when drinking green tea?
Avoid foods high in iron because green tea can inhibit iron absorption. Examples include spinach and red meat. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid dairy products, such as milk and cheese, since they can reduce the effectiveness of the antioxidants in green tea.
Can you drink green tea if you have high blood pressure?
Green tea can benefit those with high blood pressure because it contains catechins, which may help lower blood pressure. Be mindful that green tea contains caffeine, which can raise blood pressure in some people. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, try a decaffeinated version or herbal tea instead.
Is it good or bad to drink green tea before bed?
Drinking green tea before bed is bad for some people because it contains caffeine which can interfere with sleep. Remember that sensitivity to caffeine varies; if green tea doesn’t affect your sleep, feel free to enjoy a cup at night. Otherwise, try drinking it earlier or opt for a decaffeinated version.
What is the best time to drink green tea for the skin?
To enjoy the skin benefits of green tea’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, consider drinking it in the morning. This allows your skin to benefit from the protection offered by green tea throughout the day, as you are exposed to environmental stressors such as pollution and sunlight. Additionally, your body will be dehydrated after sleeping, so it’ll be craving hydration, and green tea is a great option.
At what time should we drink green tea for weight loss?
Drinking green tea 30 minutes before meals can help you lose weight. Catechins and caffeine may boost metabolism and help break down fat. By consuming it before meals, you can potentially increase the effectiveness of green tea’s weight-loss properties.
How long after drinking green tea can I eat?
To absorb the most nutrients and antioxidants from green tea, wait at least 30-45 minutes after drinking it before eating. This allows the tea to be fully absorbed in your body and prevents potential interference from certain food combinations.
Final Thoughts
While a cup of green tea is enjoyable, timing matters due to its caffeine content. Consuming green tea before bedtime, on an empty stomach, immediately after a meal, or after taking medication may disrupt sleep, irritate the stomach, or affect nutrient absorption.
Ideal times to drink green tea included in the morning, before exercise, and while studying or working, providing an energy boost and supporting weight loss, lean body mass maintenance, and mental cognition.
If you’re trying to reduce caffeine intake, herbal teas and decaffeinated green tea are great alternatives.
