Weight loss: The best and worst time to drink green tea

The potent benefits of green tea are due to the presence of compounds called catechins, specifically epicatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, epigallocatechin, and EGCG. These compounds help to fight cancer, boost metabolism, enhance brain functioning and improve digestive health, which in turn helps you lose weight. This tea also contains traces of potassium and caffeine. There are several varieties of green tea available in the market. Some of them even contain nutrients like vitamin A, B, C, manganese, zinc and chromium. Green tea contains 99.5 per cent water and is considered the second most hydrating beverage after water. Whenever you buy green tea, always opt for tea leaves over tea bags. Brewed green tea contains more nutrients than the one made from tea bags.

The potent benefits of green tea are due to the presence of compounds called catechins, specifically epicatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, epigallocatechin, and EGCG. These compounds help to fight cancer, boost metabolism, enhance brain functioning and improve digestive health, which in turns helps you lose weight. This tea also contains traces of potassium and caffeine. There are several varieties of green tea available in the market. Some of them even contain nutrients like vitamin A, B, C, manganese, zinc and chromium. Green tea contains 99.5 per cent water and is considered the second most hydrating beverage after water. Whenever you buy green tea, always opt for tea leaves over tea bags. Brewed green tea contains more nutrients than the one made from tea bags.

Well, the most important thing to understand here is that while green tea is healthier than the traditional tea or coffee, it does not mean you can have it throughout the day. Surprisingly, the timing when you choose to drink the beverage may determine if you will have positive or negative side-effects.

To reap maximum health benefits from green tea, it is important to have it at the right time. Studies suggest that the best time to drink green tea is in the morning and before the workout session. Swapping your cup of coffee with green tea is the best way to kick start your day. Like coffee, green tea also contains some amount of caffeine and L-theanine. Both of them together can help to improve your mood and enhance your concentration level.

If your motive is to burn fat then, drinking green tea before your workout session is the best for you. Several studies suggest that doing this may increase the fat burning process during the workout.

Drinking green tea after your meal and at night are the worst of all. There are different types of compounds found in green tea, which can bind with the minerals present in the food and can block their absorption in the body. Iron, copper and chromium are some minerals that might not get absorbed by the body if you drink green tea immediately after your meal.

Sipping a warm cup of tea before going to bed might seem like a nice idea, but it is not. Again the caffeine content in the green tea might make it difficult for you to fall asleep. It might also lead to anxiety, high blood pressure and nervousness.

The caffeine content in a cup of green tea depends on the duration of infusing time and the amount of tea. Green tea contains less amount of caffeine as compared to black tea and coffee. In general, 230 ml of green contains 20-45 milligrams of caffeine, which is quite less than the amount of caffeine found in coffee and tea.

Green tea is healthy. But if you want to maximize the positive effects of green tea, and make it taste better at the same time then here are a few things you can do.

The water you use for green tea should not be too hot or too cold. Water that is between 160 and 180 degrees is the best.

Do not steep green tea for more than 2-3 minutes. Less time will prevent the tea leaves from releasing their flavour while more time will make your tea bitter.

Adding 2 grams of tea leaves to 177 ml of water is the right ratio to make a healthy and tasty cup of tea.

You can add some mint leaves, lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey in your green tea to improve its taste.