The Main Problem – Caffeine
The most famous component of black and green tea is caffeine. One of the effects caffeine has on the body is that it inhibits the phosphodiesterase enzyme. As a result, the cells of human body start to accumulate a cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which intensifies the metabolic processes in various organs and tissues, including muscle tissue and the central nervous system.
Simultaneously caffeine binds to receptors in the brain, displacing adenosine (which normally reduces the excitation processes in the brain), which leads to a stimulating effect. However, with a long-term use of this alkaloid, same like with other narcotic substances, its effect is gradually decreases over time.
To achieve the expected stimulation, intake of caffeinated drinks begins to increase, because in the absence of caffeine, accumulated adenosine occupies all available receptors in the brain dramatically increasing the cells shutdown process, inducing fatigue, sleepiness, depression, decreased blood pressure and other discomforting sensations.
Even in the mid 90’s, the famous professor Pavlov found that caffeine increases the excitation processes in the cerebral cortex and increases motor activity. Alkaloids of black and green tea intensify cardiac function, leading to more intense and frequent myocardial contraction. As a result, the person feels a burst of energy. But such a feeling is accompanied by extensive energy consumption, which quickly exhausts the body.
Regularly consumption of large doses of caffeine leads to depletion of nerve cells. Caffeine is not suitable for many ailments, including insomnia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, glaucoma, and cardiovascular diseases.
Excessive consumption of beverages containing caffeine leads to an exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Black tea tannins excrete calcium, magnesium and phosphorus from the body. That’s how black and green teas deplete their drinkers.
The health consequences of caffeinated coffee and teas is inevitable, and can sharply increase the number of heart attacks, strokes, nervous disorders, and stomach problems. Our bodies were genetically formed over the ages, and it has been proven we are unable to digest and properly absorb such substantial doses of caffeine without consequence.
Another hidden danger of regular teas is the fragility of the beverage. As “Fathers” of black tea, the Chinese believe that their tea turns into a “poison rattlesnake” if brewed more than 20 minutes. It happens because of polyphenolic substances, which start to extract right after brewing and cover the entire surface of the digestive system with a thin layer preventing the absorption of vitamins and mineral elements. This is also blocking the synthesis of many vitamins and enzymes in the body (btw, this problem can be corrected with Ivan chai, when adding it to each brew, with at least a third of the total mixture).
For the same reason black and green teas should not be consumed while breastfeeding and while suffering from insomnia, due to elevated cardiac rhythms, and increased excitability.
Damage to the Nervous System
Caffeine contained in black and green teas stimulates the nervous system, which is why people suffering from nervous exhaustion, can experience sleep disturbances and severe fatigue. It’s not a good idea for them to drink tea at night, but only in the morning and in small quantities. However, green and black tea not only contains caffeine, but also less known theobromine and theophylline, which also aggravates the nervous system by quickly depleting it.
Putting your Pregnancy at Risk
Green tea prevents normal absorption of folic acid required for the development of a child’s brain. This happens because regular teas contain a large amount of a chemical compound called gallate epigallocatechin. Well caffeine, of course, is not the best friend of pregnant women, either. Drinking several cups of green or black tea a day can lead to low birth weight, premature birth, and can even cause death of the fetus.
Women generally need a special mode to drink green tea. For example, it is better to abandon the green tea (or reduce its use) during menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as before birth.
Caution if you have High Body Temperature
Black and green teas contains theophylline, which increases body temperature. So consuming black and green teas will only worsen the condition of the patient. Use caution.
Do not drink Caffeine if you have Ulcers
Caffeine consumption is not recommended for people who have digestive disorders, because it can irritate the surface of the internal digestion system and damage the esophagus. Green teas are contraindicated with a stomach ulcer especially, because it increases the acidity of the stomach, which prevents the healing of wounds and can cause deterioration in the patient’s condition.
Harmful for Cardiovascular, Hypertension, and Atherosclerosis Cases
Black teas have a negative impact on the cardiovascular system, as its components therein significantly increase blood circulation, which leads to weakened and damaged vessels. Caffeine and theophylline have a dramatic effect on blood vessels by constricting and narrowing them, which increases the risk of blood clots.
Green tea also lowers blood pressure, so in large quantities is contraindicated in case of hypotension. However, it is not recommended in case of hypertension either.
Damage to the Liver
The most damage is caused specifically by green tea. The polyphenols in green tea (black tea has less polyphenols, unless it’s been exposed to oxygen longer than 20 min), have a tendency to create a heavy load on the liver, particularly if the tea is consumed in large quantities.
Harmful Stone Formation
Due the high content of oxalate and purine acids, green and black teas promote formation of kidney and bladder stones, especially if you drink cold tea.
Leaching of Trace Elements
Due to the caffeine and specific tannins, the green and black teas leach minerals from the body.
Damage to the Bones
Recent studies on mice have shown that green tea may have a negative impact bone structure and bone density. However, such studies have not been conducted on humans.
Harm due to the Formation of Uric Acid
A large number of purines are found in black and green teas, which form uric acid during their inevitable decaying process. The increased concentration of uric acid in the blood plasma (hyperuricemia) can lead to deposition of its salts in the joints causing inflammation (gout), as well as in the kidney and bladder (stones). Green tea also worsens the condition of patients with rheumatism and arthritis.
Interruption of Iron Absorption
Caffeine in tea interferes with iron absorption, especially when overly consumed.
Dangers for Thyroid
It is recommended that people with Thyroid issues completely eliminate or limit their intake of black and green teas. Abuse of black teas could result in stomach pains, arrhythmia, tremor of the limbs, and metabolic disorders. In addition, black tea in large quantities can lead to dehydration and exhaustion.
Additional Risk in Case of Acute Diseases
Black and green teas should be consumed with caution, if you experiencing a worsening of any chronic illness, especially when it comes to stomach ulcers. This is due to its tendency to increase acidity of gastric juice.
Solution
But do not be upset. We found a solution to this complex problem. The road to recovery is simple and brilliant – go back to the origins, to remember the unjustly forgotten, traditional Russian herbal drink:
Ivan Chai