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Scientists have declared that herbal and green tea are dangerous to health

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
 
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23 August 2013, 11:33

The healing power of herbal infusions and green tea has been talked about for quite a long time. Not only representatives of traditional medicine, but also respected specialists from all over the world have agreed that herbal tea is one of the most beneficial drinks for the human body. It is used as a preventative measure against colds, urinary system diseases, to strengthen the immune system and simply as a replacement for coffee and black tea, which are popular today.

Scientists have stated that herbal and green tea are dangerous to health.

Experts recommend thinking: is green tea really good for absolutely everyone? After all, tea, like any other product, can have contraindications that can cause unpleasant and even dangerous consequences. A group of scientists from East Germany conducted a small study aimed at studying various herbal tea blends. The experiment showed that popular tea blends contain too many pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can negatively affect human health.

The substances contained in green and herbal tea are alkaloids, of plant origin, in the molecule of which there are residues of pyrrolizidine. At the moment, experts are not sure about the negative impact of alkaloids on the human body, since the study is not finished, only a warning has been received in the press.

Doctors believe that people with cardiovascular diseases should not get carried away with herbal drinks, as the components of tea can disrupt the heart rhythm and lead to dangerous complications. People suffering from hypotension should also refrain from drinking green tea, which can lower blood pressure. Green tea can provoke an upset stomach or severe intestinal pain in those who suffer from peptic ulcer disease.

At the end of the last century, European scientists conducted a study that showed that too much green tea can lead to problems in the genitourinary system. Scientists have proven that green tea can provoke kidney stone formation.

Also, excessive tea consumption (more than 3-4 cups daily) can lead to nervous system disorders. Early studies have shown that people who drink more than 4 cups of herbal or green tea daily are more likely to suffer from depression, bad mood and nervous disorders. Also, a person who abuses green tea often experiences dizziness, nausea, and low blood pressure.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid drinking green tea. The caffeine contained in tea can cause sleep disturbances in both mother and child, and the polyphenols in the composition can provoke an allergic reaction. Experts, of course, do not urge everyone to give up green and herbal tea, but, in any case, they warn that abuse can cause unpleasant consequences. Even if you have no contraindications, it is better to reduce the amount of drink consumed to a few cups per day.

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