Nowadays, when it comes to healthy lifestyle, the first drink that is mentioned is green tea. Many people drink it daily for weight loss, detox and fitness. The antioxidants, catechins and small amount of caffeine present in it help in providing energy to the body and increasing metabolism. Dr. Rahul Sharma, Delhi-based clinical nutritionist and senior advisor at Vinayak Healthcare, believes that green tea is not right for everyone. For some people, instead of providing benefits, it can also cause harm.

Compounds like caffeine, tannin and catechin present in green tea have different effects on the body. If consumed in excessive amounts, it can cause stomach problems, sleep problems and obstruction in the absorption of nutrients. According to experts, generally 2-3 cups of green tea a day is considered safe, but drinking more than this can cause side effects.

First of all let’s talk about those people who suffer from iron deficiency or anemia. Green tea can reduce the absorption of iron in the body. This is due to the catechins present in it, which do not allow the iron obtained from food to be completely absorbed in the body. Therefore, people who already have iron deficiency should drink green tea in small quantities or only after consulting the doctor.

Second come people with stomach related problems. For people who suffer from acidity, gastritis or acid reflux, green tea can increase the problem. The tannins present in it can increase the amount of acid in the stomach, which can cause problems like burning sensation, nausea or stomach pain. Especially drinking green tea on an empty stomach can aggravate this problem.

The third category includes people who are sensitive to caffeine. Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but it can still cause restlessness, nervousness or insomnia in some people. Complaints like headache, fast heartbeat and nervousness have also been seen due to drinking green tea in large quantities.

Apart from this, pregnant and breastfeeding women should also consume green tea in limited quantities. Caffeine can pass through the placenta to the baby and consuming it in excess can increase the risk of pregnancy-related problems. Therefore, doctors generally recommend limiting the amount of caffeine during pregnancy.

Let us tell you that green tea can also interact with medicines. It may reduce the effect of some medicines, especially those related to blood pressure, cholesterol or heart. Therefore, if a person is taking regular medicines, it is better to consult a doctor before including green tea in his diet.