How much green tea should you drink?

Green tea can certainly be classed as one of the "superfoods" – foods with a whole range of exceptional health benefits. Packed with vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, iron and calcium, it's an invaluable addition to your daily diet. What's more, it's fully plant-based, natural and gluten-free. Drinking green tea regularly has a beneficial effect on skin, cholesterol levels, focus, and many other aspects of both body and mind. But what happens if you drink a little too much green tea? How much green tea should you drink to enjoy the full range of its health benefits?

First of all: is it even possible to drink too much green tea?

Unfortunately, yes. Too much of a good thing is never good for you – and green tea is no exception to that rule. Tea leaves are full of compounds that, in the right amount, have a hugely beneficial effect on health. However, it is possible to "overdo it", which can lead to some unpleasant side effects. So which compounds are we talking about here?

Caffeine

In moderate amounts, caffeine provides a pleasant energy boost and improves focus. However, in some people, too high a dose can lead to insomnia, raised blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, shaky hands or irritability. Pregnant women in particular should be careful not to consume too much caffeine from tea. For a healthy adult, the recommended daily caffeine intake shouldn't exceed 400mg. To avoid going over this amount, you shouldn't drink more than 10 cups of traditional green tea (sencha), or more than 5g of tea powder if you're drinking matcha. That said, this is only an approximate guide. The recommended daily amount of green tea also depends on individual body weight and sensitivity to caffeine.

Catechins

Catechins are chemical compounds from the polyphenol group, and they're exceptionally powerful antioxidants. Their antioxidant properties effectively combat free radicals and have anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing and anti-cancer effects. In excessive amounts, though, they can sometimes make it harder to absorb iron from food, or flush electrolytes out of the body. Because of this, anyone at risk of iron deficiency or dehydration should be especially mindful of drinking too much green tea. Tip: it's best to drink green tea 2 hours after a meal, so it doesn't interfere with the absorption of these nutrients.

Drinking 2 to 5 cups of green tea a day, regularly, is one of the best gifts you can give your body. But as with everything, moderation is key here too. Cheers to your health!