Should you drink green tea on an empty stomach?

From weight loss to stabilizing blood sugar levels, the list of health benefits of having green tea is a long one. Some people like the beverage so much that they like to start their day with it. While there is no doubt about the goodness of the tea, is it okay to have it empty stomach? Well, the answer is NO. Drinking green tea on an empty stomach can affect the body negatively. Here's how.

Green tea has tannins that can increase the acid in the stomach leading to stomach ache. Excessive acid in the stomach can make one feel nauseous. All this can further lead to the problem of constipation.

Patients suffering from peptic ulcers or acid reflux are advised not to have green tea first thing in the morning. Doing so can aggravate their condition.

When consumed on an empty stomach, the compounds in the tea affect the body and the blood rather quickly than when consumed after having something. One of its effects is decreasing the protein that helps with blood clotting. The tea does not allow the oxidation of fatty acids because of its antioxidants, which can lead to thinner blood consistency.

Thus, people with blood clotting disorders should not have green tea on an empty stomach.

Green tea can lower the body's ability to absorb iron naturally. Thus, it is advised that people with anaemia should not consume green tea. But if one still wants to consume it, they must not have it regularly and surely not on an empty stomach.

The caffeine in green tea stimulates the adrenal glands, which releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This, in turn, increases the blood pressure and heart rate, which is not good for heart patients.

In the long run, it can lead to adrenal fatigue (overworked adrenal glands).

All these reasons make it a big NO to consume green tea on an empty stomach.

It's best to consume green tea in the morning but with some snacks. You can pair it with two whole-grain biscuits or a fruit of your choice.

Rest, it depends on your personal preference. Some people might like it before the workout, while others might find it fits better into their routine at other times.