Weight-management kitchen
Classic Green Tea
Please read: These are everyday recipes and drinks that fit a balanced eating pattern. No food, drink or supplement here causes weight loss on its own, and we make no promise of any result. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, take medicine (such as diabetes or blood-pressure medicine) or have a medical condition.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp (about 2 g) loose green tea leaves, or 1 tea bag
- 8 fl oz (240 ml) water heated to 175°F (80°C)
- Optional: 1 fresh mint sprig or a lemon wedge
Step by step
- Heat water until small bubbles form, about 175°F (80°C); do not boil.
- Put the leaves in a teapot or infuser.
- Pour the water over and steep 2–3 minutes.
- Strain and add mint or lemon if you like.
Traditional and historical use
Green tea has been drunk in China and Japan for more than a thousand years as an everyday, refreshing beverage.
What modern research says
NCCIH reports that green tea and green tea extracts haven't been shown to produce meaningful weight loss in people; any effect seen in studies has been small. Its caffeine supports alertness.
Safety notes
- Contains caffeine; limit if pregnant or caffeine-sensitive.
- Concentrated green tea extract pills have been linked to rare liver injury; the brewed drink is different.
- Can interact with some medicines (for example nadolol).