Why is it recommended to drink green tea on an empty stomach in the morning?
“You should drink water as soon as you wake up”: it is a phrase we have heard time and again. And it makes perfect sense. After a good night’s sleep, our bodies have gone several hours without hydration. As after a good workout, it is important to rehydrate the lymphatic system, which is essential to the body’s proper functioning. Drinking first thing in the morning also helps you wake up more easily. When we drink, we wake up our stomach... and therefore our brain. If drinking a large glass of water on an empty stomach can sometimes be unpleasant, the trick is to replace the water with a cup of your favourite green tea. The best of both worlds!
Which green tea should you drink for breakfast?
Among the green teas likely to make you forget your warm duvet and soft pillow, we could not recommend anything better than the Kusmi range (because they are organic, flavoured and packed in France, using eco-responsible packaging). Above all, there is something for every taste: organic ginger-lemon green tea, mint green tea, jasmine green tea, genmaicha green tea, green tea-maté-lemon for “Breakfast at the Élysée”, or green tea-maté-citrus for “Lovely Morning”. It is up to you to reinvent and shake up your morning routine!
Which green tea should you drink after meals?
At Kusmi, we mainly drink green tea after meals because of its beneficial effects on digestion. One to two cups of green tea after a meal may help reduce intestinal discomfort and bloating, and eliminate toxins. The best possible pairing is mint green tea, as mint is said to aid digestion and soothe digestive cramps.
Can you drink green tea during your working day?
Yes, it is a very good idea to take tea breaks at the office. Unlike coffee, which is an excitant, tea is a stimulant. Its action is gentler but lasts longer. Gradually released into the body over 6 hours, theine may therefore boost concentration and memory. The green teas richest in theine are Matcha, Sencha, Gyokuro and Tencha. Paired with ginger or lemon, a boost effect is guaranteed! Another molecule found in tea, L-theanine, is believed to have the power to soothe us. This natural active ingredient is said to promote calm and relaxation by easing anxiety symptoms. With few, if any, calories, green tea can also be used to curb cravings and limit snacking.
Does green tea affect sleep? Can you drink it before bed?
Yes and no, and above all, “it depends”. The effect of caffeine on the body varies from person to person. The stimulation felt, caffeine absorption rate and tolerance differ from one person to another. Some will say it is impossible for them to fall asleep after drinking a cup of green tea in the evening, if they have had green tea after 5 pm, or that green tea causes insomnia... while others will sleep like babies.
Why does green tea keep you awake?
Yes, because of the presence of theine/caffeine, which can affect sleep. Although people once thought otherwise, theine and caffeine are the same molecule. The difference between the two hot drinks — the most widely consumed in the world — is that coffee contains much more: three to four times more than a cup of tea. This explains coffee’s exciting effect and tea’s simply stimulating effect. Present in tea leaves, theine is released when they are immersed in hot water. This is why sensitive people avoid drinking tea after a certain time, to avoid any risk of insomnia…
Which tea should you drink before bed or at bedtime?
If you are sensitive to theine, we recommend opting for white tea at the end of the day, as it contains less theine. Another option is to choose “red tea”, or rooibos. It contains no theine, for good reason: it is not made from tea leaves, but from a shrub known as the “rooibos bush”, which belongs to the legume family. Discover our sleep herbal tea Rituel Sommeil, a rooibos enriched with lemon balm and delicious mango flavour. A final option is to favour herbal teas in the evening, which contain no theine and are made from beneficial plants. Some anti-stress infusions can even help you relax or fall asleep, such as Be Cool, made with verbena and peppermint, or Lovely Night, a blend of lime blossom and verbena.
You can drink green tea in the evening by decaffeinating it
To prepare a tea “lower in theine”, simply steep it once for one minute, then discard this first water, which contains most of theine. Then keep the same tea (the same tea bag, the same tea infuser...) and steep it again in fresh simmering water. This second infusion will be much lower in theine while retaining the flavours of your favourite tea.
Also read: Should you drink matcha tea on an empty stomach in the morning?