When you start to really appreciate green tea, honestly, any time can feel right for a cup. However, there are certain hours when sipping this brew can significantly boost your health. Just keep in mind that you don't want it to interfere with your sleep schedule.
Today, let's dive into the effects of drinking green tea at various times throughout the day.
Best Time to Drink Green Tea
Green tea is an excellent choice for your morning beverage. It contains a moderate amount of caffeine to provide that much-needed energy lift in the morning. Unlike coffee, it features the amino acid L-theanine, which helps to smooth out the caffeine spike, leading to sustained energy without the jitters. This combination can enhance alertness and help keep drowsiness at bay, making it a favorable option for morning consumption [1].
Boost Your Metabolism
Green tea can significantly aid digestion and boost your metabolism. While there aren't strict rules regarding timing, many experts recommend consuming it about an hour before or after meals. Studies suggest that green tea's catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), can enhance metabolic rates and fat oxidation, particularly when consumed regularly—aim for about 3-5 cups a day for optimal results [2].
Before or After a Workout?
Drinking green tea offers benefits regardless of whether it’s consumed before or after exercising. Having a cup before working out can enhance endurance, sharpen focus, and assist in weight loss. Research indicates that consuming green tea before exercise can increase fat oxidation rates, particularly when combined with caffeine and EGCG approximately 90 minutes prior to a workout [3]. Conversely, drinking it after exercising can help recharge and refresh you.
Best Time for Skin Care
Green tea works wonders for your skin by keeping it hydrated and providing anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and dark circles under your eyes. Additionally, it helps manage acne by lowering sebum production and combats photo-aging thanks to its antioxidant effects. Interestingly, you can also use green tea externally; consider using loose leaves for a facial steam bath to keep your skin rejuvenated. Each cup you drink contributes positively to your skin health [4].
Best Time for Weight Loss
If weight loss is your goal, drinking green tea right before your workout is ideal. Research shows that combining EGCG and caffeine about 90 minutes prior to exercising can significantly enhance fat oxidation rates during your workout [5]. Next time you shop for green tea, look for brands with a higher EGCG content. When brewing, ensure the temperature is high enough to allow the EGCG and caffeine to steep well. A more bitter tea often indicates higher contents of these beneficial compounds, which can aid in weight loss.
References:
- Farhad Gholami, Jose Antonio, Mohadeseh Iranpour, Jason Curtis, Flavia Pereira. Does green tea catechin enhance weight-loss effect of exercise training in overweight and obese individuals? a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.. PubMed. 2024.
- Yishai Levy, Baruch Narotzki, Abraham Z Reznick. Green tea, weight loss and physical activity.. PubMed. 2017.
- Gabrielle Aparecida Cardoso, Jocelem Mastrodi Salgado, Marcelo de Castro Cesar, Carlos Mario Donado-Pestana. The effects of green tea consumption and resistance training on body composition and resting metabolic rate in overweight or obese women.. PubMed. 2013.
- Lan-Sook Lee, Ji Hea Choi, Mi Jeong Sung, Jin-Young Hur, Haeng Jeon Hur, Jong-Dae Park, Young-Chan Kim, Eun-Ji Gu, Byungjin Min, Hyun-Jin Kim. Green tea changes serum and liver metabolomic profiles in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity.. PubMed. 2015.
- Pilou L H R Janssens, Rick Hursel, Margriet S Westerterp-Plantenga. Long-term green tea extract supplementation does not affect fat absorption, resting energy expenditure, and body composition in adults.. PubMed. 2015.