How Safe Is Green Tea As A Daily Supplement?

By Robert Neely


Health TV shows and magazines have been advertising green tea extract as an effective supplement for weight loss. With the increasing interest of tea, many are concerned about the safeness of the supplement. A majority of the media promoting the benefits of tea are usually not explaining enough of the side effects. Thoroughly knowing the potential negative effects is important to be able to take benefits without having harmful results.

Just like many supplements or prescription drugs, the amount plays an important role with regards to negative effects. If consumed without care, even the most natural supplement may cause unexpected effects. Identical reasoning applies here. What exactly is the proper amount of tea?

Some of the most active contents of tea are caffeine and catechin. Both help with using body fat as the resource to create heat which is known as thermogenesis. This procedure in return boosts metabolism. Enhanced metabolic function burns body fat much faster in the human body.

There have been countless experiments on caffeine and how it affects human body. Many experts are saying in most cases above 500mg of caffeine a day is too much. It could be unsafe causing side effects like insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, stomach upset, fast heartbeat and muscle tremors. Health experts furthermore agree that level of sensitivity to caffeine varies by an individual, however 300mg or less is regarded a healthy dose.

A single cup of tea possesses about 20mg of caffeine. Compare to coffee, it is a small amount. A single cup of coffee possesses about 100mg of caffeine. If tea is the only caffeinated drink taken then it should not be a concern. But if other caffeinated drinks are consumed throughout the day, then it is critical to check the total daily dosage of caffeine.

Scientists carried out tests regarding dosage. A daily dose of 800mg of EGCG has been successfully tested without any unintended effects. A cup of green tea includes around 100mg of EGCG, so that is 8 cups of tea. A lot of laboratory experiments indicate more EGCG equals to greater weight loss, yet some health experts advise that large dose of one substance from herbs might be problematic. It is not easy to come to an absolute conclusion based on lab reports, still a lot of experts are claiming 300mg of EGCG is a good dosage to consume in a day. There have been successful lab tests with the amount of 300mg versus cancer cells and weight loss.

Due to the growing interest in green tea, even more laboratory tests will be conducted. For now, 300mg seems to be a safe dosage for both caffeine and EGCG.




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