Tips For Minimizing The Caffeine In Green Tea

What do you think of when you hear the phrase "green tea"? Is it weight loss, the health benefits the drink is known for, its antioxidant content?

Or perhaps, is it caffeine?

Green tea can provide many health benefits, though it does also contain caffeine, which does cause some concern to some people who are interested in green tea.

However, if you are concerned about the caffeine content of green tea, you can rest a little easier knowing that its caffeine content is relatively low and that there are ways to enjoy green tea while reducing the amount of caffeine you take in.

Tip # 1 - Moderation

Green tea contains a fairly small amount of caffeine, far less than in either black tea or coffee. However, if you're sensitive to caffeine, it can still cause difficulty sleeping.

The best thing to do is to start slow and see how it affects you. Try drinking a cup per day and if you don't notice any problems, gradually increase the amount you drink daily.

If you notice yourself becoming jittery or have trouble sleeping, reduce your intake until you reach a level which you can easily tolerate.

Tip # 2 - Know Your Tea

There are different varieties of green tea, with different types varying in caffeine content. Learn more about the type of tea you're drinking and you can choose one which will work best for you.

Tip # 3 - Brew Weaker Tea

If caffeine is a problem for you, try making it with loose leaf tea so that you can control the strength of your tea. Usually, you'd use 2 tsp of loose leaf green tea per cup, so try making your tea with just one tsp per cup.

If you find the flavor lacking, try gradually increasing the amount of tea you use until you reach the right balance.

Tip # 4 - Enjoy Your Tea Hot

Some of the antioxidant compounds in green tea (such as theanine and cathechin) seem to moderate the effects of caffeine, especially when the tea is still hot.

By drinking your tea while it is still hot, you'll reduce the unwelcome effects of caffeine.

Tip # 5 - Use Loose Lead Tea, Not Teabags

Loose leaf tea has more flavor and tends to contain higher levels of antioxidants than does green tea packaged in tea bags.

Go for loose leaf tea - you'll be getting a better cup of tea and it'll be healthier as well.

Tip # 6 - Know Your Limits

Experts suggest limiting your caffeine intake to less than 300 mg per day.

As far as sources of caffeine go, green tea is the best, since it has a fairly small level of caffeine and can provide you with a gentle stimulant effect - however, if you feel any nervousness, headaches or other negative side effects, then simply reduce your intake.

Now that you know how to reduce the level of caffeine in your green tea, you can enjoy a cup of healthy green tea without suffering from the potentially negative effects of caffeine.