‘I heard my body scream every hour of the day’
For many of us, one of the first things we do upon waking is shuffle downstairs, fill the kettle, and make ourselves a cup of coffee. Whether it’s instant, coffee pods, brewing up in a machine, or caffeine, the day doesn’t start without a strong cup of Joe.
And while there are many studies that extol the benefits of coffee, it can come with unwanted side-effects for some. These include anxiety, increased heart rate and stomach problems.
Also, drinking it too late in the day can rob us of precious hours of sleep by keeping our brains awake too long, resulting in bouts of insomnia. And for some, waking up groggy from the lack of good sleep can lead us to again reach for the coffee pot again just to keep our eyelids open.
So, as delicious and invigorating as coffee can be, it can be good to try out alternatives with less caffeine. Life reporter Christopher Megrath has done just that, swapping out his usual cup of steaming java for green tea to see if it resulted in any health benefits. Read what insights Christopher gained from his month-long experiment below.
Over the course of an eight hour work period I would drink a minimum of four cups of coffee, comprised of two teaspoons of instant granules and milk. This is an insane quantity for the average joe but as an avid java lover it never phased me.
The decision to substitute coffee for green tea was an attempt to improve my health. I’m a victim of bloating and sore heads which I’ve typically connected to copious amounts of coffee and milk.
Summer is just around the corner and I wanted to feel revitalised, putting the natural glow back in my face. I decided the best way to accomplish this is to rid myself of caffeine and chug as much antioxidant rich water as I could.
I’ve never been a fan of tea so this was a complete shock to the system. “Where has the coffee gone?” I heard my body scream every hour of the day.
I switched my coffee intake with a standard supermarket grade cup of green tea, resulting in five to six large mugfuls every day. During weekends, my intake was drastically reduced, averaging around two cups a day.
I only consumed green tea between 9am to 5pm, with an occasional cup before bed – though this was rare. The caffeine flushed out quickly and after just over four weeks of green tea, I feel fresh as a daisy. Let’s get into it.
What is green tea?
Green and black tea are derived from the leaves of the same plants but their distinction lies in how they are processed – black tea is oxidised while green tea is not.
The leaves of green tea are either steamed or panfried to stop the oxidation process. Japan and China have different anti-oxidisation methods which can make it taste slightly different depending on the process.
Green tea contains naturally occurring caffeine, but you can also get decaffeinated green tea. There is a common misconception that a drink containing caffeine can leave you feeling dehydrated, but caffeinated drinks like green tea can be just as hydrating.
What makes green tea so healthy?
Green tea contains a type of polyphenol called a catechin. Catechins are antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provide other health benefits. The most well-known and abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which research has found may be involved in improving various health conditions or markers of disease.
Scientific jargon aside, research from the National Library of Medicine shows it may help reduce the risk of diabetes, attention, metabolism and improving your gut health.
Some green tea benefits may include:
- High in protective plant compounds called polyphenols
- May support focus and attention
- May promote calm
- May protect the brain from dementia
- May boost metabolism
- May support blood sugar control
- May reduce diabetes risk
- May reduce the risk of heart disease
- May support bone health
- May improve gut health
The results one month later
The first day was a slog, made worse by the fact it was a completely foreign taste. The next day felt like stepping into a brand new body.
In a few rare instances, I reached for coffee to give myself a good morning kick. The constant consumption of green tea meant the coffee hit my stomach like a truck.
I felt immediately sluggish, bloated and generally a bit gross. If I did opt for a coffee, it would be one at the most, and even then, I didn’t really care for it. I was on the green tea train for the long haul home.
After a month of green tea, I feel brighter and happier. Sporadic headaches have stopped and my face appears fresher. My eyes are brighter – so is my general complexion.
The daily bloating has subsided and I believe I also look trimmer, potentially losing a few pounds across the month. I didn’t track my weight so I can’t say for certain, but I like how I look, which is more important to me.
Green tea is here to stay and I can’t imagine swapping it for any other hot drink. I’ve dabbled in a few new flavours, so I’ll get back to you in May to tell you all about hibiscus tea.
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