5 health benefits of decaffeinated green tea

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5 health benefits of decaffeinated green tea

Many people swear by a cup of decaffeinated green tea for its cardiovascular health and metabolism benefits. And it turns out that science might back up these claims.

What is decaffeinated green tea?

Green tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis factory. To make green tea, the leaves of the plant are steamed, fried and then dried.

Chinese growers cultivated the first tea plants around 3,000 years ago, and people often used tea for medicinal purposes. Green tea contains caffeine, but decaffeinated green tea may provide some of the same benefits to people who are more sensitive to caffeine.

Here are some of the health benefits of decaffeinated green tea.

1. Protects against inflammation and cancer

Green tea is rich in polyphenols, compounds naturally found in plants.

Plant polyphenols provide many health benefits, including antioxidant effects. Antioxidants are compounds that help prevent cell damage from inflammation and may reduce the growth of cancer cells.

Decaffeinated green tea may contain fewer polyphenols and antioxidants, depending on the caffeine elimination process. But it can still have beneficial effects on health.

Decaffeinated Green Tea vs. Regular Green Tea

The polyphenol content of decaffeinated green tea may differ from that of regular green tea, depending on its processing method.

According to one study, the hot water process can effectively remove caffeine while retaining many of the beneficial properties of plant compounds. Factors such as extraction time, decaffeination time and temperature influence the results of this process.

2. May Promote Weight Loss

The polyphenols in green tea may help with weight loss. Researchers believe this may be due to their effects on insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism.

But a small study found that decaffeinated green tea extract had no significant effect on body composition when usual exercise and dietary intake were maintained.

Although many studies show promising results, more research is needed to better understand the link between decaffeinated green tea and weight loss.

Does drinking green tea at night promote weight loss?

Drinking water before bed and maintaining proper hydration can promote weight loss.

Unsweetened tea can be a good alternative to plain water.

While water or tea before bed won’t magically help you lose weight, hydration is one part of a comprehensive weight loss plan that includes a nutritious diet and regular exercise.

Decaffeinated green tea may be a better choice closer to bedtime if you are sensitive to caffeine.

3. Prevents heart disease

The antioxidants in decaffeinated green tea may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Studies suggest that the antioxidants in green tea may improve control of cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, all risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

4. Better for people sensitive to caffeine

People sensitive to caffeine may experience side effects, including:

Nausea

Anxiety

Difficulty sleeping

If you are sensitive to caffeine, decaffeinated green tea may work better for you than a fully caffeinated brew. However, decaffeinated green tea may still contain a small amount of caffeine. If you’re very sensitive to it, consider avoiding green tea and other caffeinated drinks altogether.

5. May protect brain health

Compounds in green tea, such as L-theanine and epigallocatechin gallate, are known to have neuroprotective effects that may slow cognitive decline.

A review of studies found that regular consumption of green tea was associated with a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

More research in humans is needed, but these effects could be due to green tea’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Other considerations

Here are some other factors to consider when drinking decaffeinated green tea.

How much green tea should you drink?

Green tea is generally safe, and recommendations for consumption generally concern its caffeine content. But because decaffeinated green tea has a much lower caffeine content, this may not be as much of a problem unless you’re very sensitive to caffeine.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults consume no more than 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day.

An 8-ounce cup of green tea contains about 29 mg of caffeine.

Black tea contains around 48 mg of caffeine per cup.

Side effects of decaffeinated green tea

Although safe for most people, decaffeinated green tea may have unwanted side effects in some people and interact with certain medications.

In large doses, green tea may reduce the effectiveness of beta blockers and cholesterol-lowering medications. Green tea supplements may also cause nausea, constipation, and (rarely) liver damage (for people with a specific genetic variant).

If you have concerns about drinking green tea, discuss safety with your doctor before you start sipping it.

Takeaways

Green tea, including decaf, has several health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, including protection against cancer, improving metabolism, and preventing cardiovascular disease.

Decaffeinated green tea may be a safer option than caffeinated versions if you are more sensitive to caffeine, but it still contains caffeine and may be off the menu for those who are very sensitive to it.

Although generally safe, green tea in high consumption may interact with blood pressure medications or cause side effects like nausea and constipation.

Discuss green tea consumption with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about side effects, caffeine content, or drug interactions.