5 Myths about Green Tea Debunked - Learn the Facts

Everyone talks about green tea. It is probably the most popular natural herbal product in the world. Most of what you have heard and read about it is true, but there are still some misconceptions that cause confusion. Read on to find out what the most common green tea myths are and what the truth behind them is.

* Many people think that green tea, black and oolong tea come from different plants. This is not true. In fact, they all come from the same plant -Camellia Sinensis. The differences in their taste and properties come from the ways in which they are processed. The leaves that are used for the brewing of green tea are heated or steamed before drying, while the ones for black tea are broken and rolled before drying.

* There is only one green tea – this is a common myth among people who are not familiar with this herbal product and its consumption. In fact, there are numerous types of green tea coming from the leaves of different species of Camellia Sinensis. When the plant was spread across Asia, the farmers began using different methods for cultivation. As a result, the plants they grew started to differ in terms of properties. The type of the green tea is determined not only by the plant from which the leaves are taken. The time of picking of the leaves and their specific processing are also responsible for the differences in taste and in the concentration of chemical compounds.

* Green tea is bad for you because it contains caffeine. This is another common myth that can put some people off drinking the brewed beverage. Firstly, green tea contains much less caffeine than coffee. There is approximately half a milligram of caffeine in one ounce of green tea. This amount is approximately three times less than the amount contained in coffee. In addition, researchers have found that caffeine, which is a powerful antioxidant, can have an extremely beneficial effect on healthy individuals. It can protect you from diabetes, colon cancer and Parkinson’s disease. It is effective for headache relief as well. Another thing to take into account is that green tea contains L-theanine. This chemical compound has the exact opposite effect of caffeine. It has a relaxing effect on the mind and body and can fight anxiety and stress. It can also promote better sleep and improve your mood.

* The more green tea you drink the better. This is another common myth about this brewed beverage. As you know well, too much of anything can be dangerous. This is totally applicable to green tea. You might get more caffeine than is good for you and this can lead to increased pulse, high blood pressure, greater irritability and sleeping problems. Green tea boasts with various vitamins and minerals, but when the latter are in greater quantities they can have a harmful effect on the body. Hence, you should consume green tea reasonably. For optimal effect, you should consume no more than 3 to 6 cups per day. Once you get used to the beverage, you can increase the number to 10 cups per day.

* Green tea can help you lose a lot of weight fast. This is definitely a myth. Green tea has an extremely beneficial effect on those who want to lose weight. It speeds up metabolism and stimulates the more intensive burning of fat. However, you cannot expect your body to work as a machine, even though it is additionally stimulated to get rid of fat deposits. Hence, you can expect to get the desired slimming results after consuming green tea for some time on a daily basis. It is also important for you to rely on healthy diet and exercise. Green tea can help you with the latter too. It can boost your energy to help you exercise longer.

Now you know all about the most common myths about green tea. Overall, it can be concluded that the consumption of green tea will certainly bring you health benefits without causing side effects, when it is reasonable. You should not hesitate to drink the brewed beverage and even use it as mouth wash. You can also apply cotton balls dipped in green tea to your skin to sooth it and nurture it. The overall effect will certainly be great.