Ten Myths About Green Tea Set Straight

Green tea has been known to provide many health benefits. Studies have been done to corroborate the truth about green tea. However, there are as many myths about green tea out there as well.

Myth 1: Green Tea, 5,000 Years Since Discovered

In the aim to sensationalize perhaps the belief on the benefits of drinking green tea people tend to exaggerate. It has been written in many articles and written media that green tea was discovered by a Chinese Emperor some 5,000 years ago. Well, reliable records show that it was not until about 2,000 years ago that drinking green tea was indeed discovered by the said emperor.

Myth 2: Different Types of Tea Comes from a Different Plant

Contrary to what many may believe green tea, black tea and oolong tea are all made from Camellia Sinensis. The difference between green tea, oolong tea and black tea is mainly on amount of oxidation that it undergoes. Black tea undergoes full fermentation and oxidation so it takes longer to make. Oolong undergoes a certain amount of oxidation but not as long as black tea. On the other hand, green tea does not undergo any oxidation at all. Freshly picked green leaves are pan fried or steamed so they no longer have active enzymes to undergo oxidation. Then they just undergo the rolling process.

Myth 3: Green Tea Is Healthier than Black Tea

It is not entirely true that green tea is healthier than black tea. Some studies show that black tea has, in fact, the same amount of antioxidants. It is not true that oxidation decreases the amount of antioxidants in the tea. What it does though is modify the types of antioxidants present in it. In some cases, black tea was even proven to be more effective in fighting certain free radicals. On the other hand, more health benefits have been consistently linked to green tea.

Myth 4: Green Tea Dehydrates

This has been dispelled by studies and experts. They say that while water functions merely to replace water drinking green tea supplies antioxidants as well. This means that green tea is even better for the body than water alone.

Green tea may contain caffeine but it is not enough to dehydrate an individual. It provides more fluids than it dehydrates the body. Green tea would then still give positive effects to the body.

Myth 5: Lose Weight Fast with Green Tea

It’s true that green tea boosts metabolism by about 4%. But that is not enough to make one lose weight fast. Unless people complement it with other measures, one will not feel the effects of drinking green tea that much. So yes, it helps if an individual drinks green tea. It would even be better if he substitutes his calorie rich drinks with green tea. But drinking green tea by itself will not do the job.

Myth 6: Drink as Much Green Tea a Day

Studies show that for green tea to give health benefits people must consume it at least 3 cups a day. One must not exceed ten cups of green tea in a day though. Just like with everything else, too much of it can also be bad.

Myth 7: Green Tea Has Less Caffeine than Black Tea

This is not necessarily true. The amount of caffeine depends on the age of the leaves used in making the tea. Younger leaves usually have more caffeine. And it naturally follows that bigger leaves would contain more caffeine than smaller ones. This is the case for black tea. And since fine grade green tea is made from young leaves and buds it contains relatively higher amounts of caffeine.

Myth 8: Green Tea Affects Sleep

People think that green tea will affect their sleep because it has caffeine. However, the truth may be contrary to this belief. Green tea contains L-theanine that gives calming and relaxing effects so it even improves sleep.

Myth 9: Green Tea Heighten Stress

Again, with the caffeine content, people believe that they would feel more tension. But again with the L-theanine content, green tea would give people a relaxing feeling.

Myth 10: Decaf Green Tea Is as Good As Regular Green Tea

Well, this is not always true. In some cases, decaffeination involves the use of chemicals. Now this type of decaf green tea would naturally be less good for the body compared to the regular green tea.