What Are The Dangers Of Green Tea Diets

Green Tea Diets - What Are The Dangers Of Green Tea Diets

By Bill Nadraszky

The popularity of Green tea diets has increased in recent years. Green tea diets have long been considered to be very helpful for dieting. Recently, many companies have manufactured and distributed these products labeled "Green tea diet" for those who wish to lose weight.

Why is the Chinese tea diet so popular? Many believe that tea on its own carries only 4 calories per serving, and the caffeine in tea is potent enough to increase body function to help burn more calories. Additionally, it is believed that the polyphenols in tea seem to aid in the digestion of fat.

There are several names for the Green tea diet that help you lose weight - Green tea diet, fasting tea, slimming tea, super dieter's tea, weight loss tea. These teas all promote one message; namely that if drink this tea you will lose weight.

Nevertheless, many experts noted that what you are actually drinking from these products is a plant based laxative that can cause certain disorders like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fainting and chronic constipation.

These products are derived from plants and have been used since time immemorial for their ability to relieve constipation and promote bowel movements. They are deemed effective for such purposes with occasional use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) once stressed that the laxative teas and dietary supplements of most concern are those containing one or more of the substances, such as aloe, senna, rhubarb root, buckthorn, castor oil, and cascara.

When the labeled "Green tea diets" are excessively used based on the misconception that frequent bowel movements prevent the absorption of calories, then problems tend to occur. Numerous studies have shown that the laxative-induced diarrhea does not significantly reduce absorption of calories for the reason that laxatives don't work in the small intestine, where the calories are absorbed. It rather works on the colon, which is the lower end of the bowel.

When the Green tea diets are misused by steeping the tea longer than product labeling recommends, this can lead to short as well as long term adverse condition. This is also true when the Green tea diets are taken more than the suggested quantity.

For those drinking the Green tea diets for the first time, stomach cramps; vomiting, nausea and diarrhea are the common disorders to occur and will last for several days. In the event that these laxatives are used continually, laxative dependence will tend to develop, causing bouts of chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain as well as constipation. In the most severe cases, these laxatives can cause fainting and dehydration. These after-effects of excessive use of Green tea diets are most likely to develop in people who are nutritionally compromised due to rigorous weight-loss dieting.

As the concerns about the safety of Green tea diets have increased, the FDA is now considering requiring the manufacturers of labeled "Green tea diets" to place warning labels on all of their product stimulant laxatives. It is also important that those who are using Green tea diets for any purpose must read and follow the recommended directions carefully; otherwise they place their health at risk.