What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Does Green Tea Extract Work as a Diuretic?
Green tea, also known by its botanical name, Camellia sinensis, has many traditional health-related uses, although medical research has not confirmed the validity of many of the claims of supplement manufacturers 1. Promoters of green tea extract supplements claim it can help you lose weight, help your heart be healthier and heal wounds, among other things 1. If you need a diuretic to help control your blood pressure, talk with your physician about it before attempting to use green tea extract or other supplements 1. High blood pressure poses serious health problems that require a doctor’s intervention.
Diuretic Effects
The caffeine contained within green tea extract increases the amount of urine your body expels, MedlinePlus reports 1. This works as a diuretic in your body, similar to the way medications work. Because caffeine makes you produce more urine, you have less water in your body, especially in your bloodstream. Less blood reduces blood pressure.
- The caffeine contained within green tea extract increases the amount of urine your body expels, MedlinePlus reports 1.
- Because caffeine makes you produce more urine, you have less water in your body, especially in your bloodstream.
Green Tea Benefits
Does Green Tea Cause Heart Palpitations?
Learn More
Green tea extract may help you lose weight, and it may help you become more alert 1. It provides these benefits, among others, largely because of its stimulating effect. Green tea extract contains caffeine, a stimulant of your central nervous system 1. This heightens your alertness and gives you more energy. Caffeine also helps you to lose weight, because it keeps you from eating more and keeps your metabolism higher so you burn more calories. Caffeine also constricts your blood vessels, especially in your brain, which means it can help fight migraine headache pain.
- Green tea extract may help you lose weight, and it may help you become more alert 1.
- Caffeine also helps you to lose weight, because it keeps you from eating more and keeps your metabolism higher so you burn more calories.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can occur for several reasons. Your heart may start pumping harder, forcing more blood throughout your body. It may do this because of heart disease or because your arteries have become clogged with plaque, making the inside of the arteries smaller. To get the proper amount of blood flowing throughout your body, your heart may have to pump harder, pushing blood through at greater pressure. One way your doctor may treat this is to prescribe a diuretic medication that reduces the overall amount of water in your body. Diuretics force excess water out of your body through urination. With less blood flowing, your blood pressure decreases.
- High blood pressure can occur for several reasons.
- To get the proper amount of blood flowing throughout your body, your heart may have to pump harder, pushing blood through at greater pressure.
Green Tea Side Effects
Side Effects of Zantrex-3
Learn More
The same substance that serves as a diuretic and central nervous system stimulant in green tea extract, caffeine, can also produce some side effects, especially during your initial use of the supplement 13. Green tea extract can make it difficult for you to get to sleep or stay asleep 1. It can make you feel nervous or irritable. You may get a headache from green tea extract, MedlinePlus notes 1. It can also cause a short bout of diarrhea. Most of these side effects will end on their own once your body adjusts to the supplement. You can counteract the potential insomnia by taking green tea extract many hours before bedtime 1. If side effects persist, consult your medical practitioner.
Related Articles
References
- Drugs.com: Green Tea
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- Drugs.com: Caffeine Side Effects
- Cabrera, C., Artacho, R., & Giménez, R. (2006). Beneficial effects of green teaâa review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 25(2), 79-99.
- Bogdanski, P., Suliburska, J., Szulinska, M., Stepien, M., Pupek-Musialik, D., & Jablecka, A. (2012). Green tea extract reduces blood pressure, inflammatory biomarkers, and oxidative stress and improves parameters associated with insulin resistance in obese, hypertensive patients. Nutrition Research, 32(6), 421-427.
- WesterterpâPlantenga, M. S., Lejeune, M. P., & Kovacs, E. M. (2005). Body weight loss and weight maintenance in relation to habitual caffeine intake and green tea supplementation. Obesity, 13(7), 1195-1204.
- Jówko, E., Sacharuk, J., BalasiÅska, B., Ostaszewski, P., Charmas, M., & Charmas, R. (2011). Green tea extract supplementation gives protection against exercise-induced oxidative damage in healthy men. Nutrition Research, 31(11), 813-821.
- Kerksick, C. M., Kreider, R. B., & Willoughby, D. S. (2010). Intramuscular adaptations to eccentric exercise and antioxidant supplementation. Amino Acids, 39(1), 219-232.
- Chow, H. S., Hakim, I. A., Vining, D. R., Crowell, J. A., Ranger-Moore, J., Chew, W. M., ... & Alberts, D. S. (2005). Effects of dosing condition on the oral bioavailability of green tea catechins after single-dose administration of Polyphenon E in healthy individuals. Clinical Cancer Research, 11(12), 4627-4633.
- Ullmann, U., Haller, J., Decourt, J. P., Girault, N., Girault, J., Richard-Caudron, A. S., ... & Weber, P. (2003). A single ascending dose study of epigallocatechin gallate in healthy volunteers. Journal of International Medical Research, 31(2), 88-101.
- He, Q., Lv, Y., & Yao, K. (2007). Effects of tea polyphenols on the activities of α-amylase, pepsin, trypsin and lipase. Food Chemistry, 101(3), 1178-1182.
- Warden, B. A., Smith, L. S., Beecher, G. R., Balentine, D. A., & Clevidence, B. A. (2001). Catechins are bioavailable in men and women drinking black tea throughout the day. The Journal of Nutrition, 131(6), 1731-1737.
- Wang, P., Heber, D., & Henning, S. M. (2012). Quercetin increased bioavailability and decreased methylation of green tea polyphenols in vitro and in vivo. Food & Function, 3(6), 635-642.
- Ma, Q., Kim, E. Y., Lindsay, E. A., & Han, O. (2011). Bioactive dietary polyphenols inhibit heme iron absorption in a doseâdependent manner in human intestinal Cacoâ2 cells. Journal of Food Science, 76(5).
- Kim, E. Y., Ham, S. K., Bradke, D., Ma, Q., & Han, O. (2011). Ascorbic acid offsets the inhibitory effect of bioactive dietary polyphenolic compounds on transepithelial iron transport in Caco-2 intestinal cells. The Journal of Nutrition, 141(5), 828-834.
Writer Bio
Carole Anne Tomlinson is a registered nurse with experience in rehabilitation, nutrition, chemical dependency, diabetes and health problems related to the elderly. Tomlinson holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and is presently working on her master's degree in nursing. Her screenplays have been viewed by Merchant Ivory, Angela Lansbury and Steven King's associates.