Is your green tea healthy?

If you’re drinking green tea for its health benefits, you may want to take a closer look at what’s in your cup.

A recent review found that some prepared teas, including bottled and bubble teas, contain enough added sugars, calories and artificial ingredients to undermine the benefits. For the biggest health payoff, traditional brewed tea may be your best bet.

“If you’re drinking sweetened, bottled green tea, it’s very similar to drinking a soda at that point,” says Lindsay Fencl, a registered dietitian at Aurora Health Care. “They are often high in sugar and calories. Choosing a sugar-free or low-sugar option might be a better alternative.”

Benefits of drinking green tea

The good news? Tea with little added sugar and few preservatives is still associated with a long list of health benefits. The study found that drinking tea, especially green tea, could help protect against many chronic diseases, cancer and cognitive decline.

• Heart health: Regular tea consumption is associated with lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Brain health: Regular tea drinkers also experienced lower rates of cognitive decline and had fewer Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in some populations, leading researchers to believe tea’s antioxidant compounds could protect brain health as people age.
• Reduced inflammation: The antioxidants found in green tea can help reduce inflammation and neutralize free radicals that contribute to cell damage over time.
• Lower cancer risk: The review found evidence linking tea consumption to lower risk of certain cancers, though more studies are needed to understand this relationship.

“The antioxidants in green tea are kind of like magical molecules,” Fencl says. “They are really good for decreasing inflammation and having good blood flow.”

What to avoid when drinking green tea

Although the researchers reviewed bottled and bubble teas specifically, they aren’t the only tea beverages with extra ingredients. Coffeehouse tea drinks could be another hidden source of added sugar and calories.

While green tea, including matcha, naturally contains antioxidants, adding sweetened flavorings, heavy cream or sugary syrups can quickly increase calories and added sugar.

“If you’re going to get a matcha latte because it sounds really healthy and it’s green, but then you add sugar flavorings and cream, is that much better for you?” Fencl points out. “Instead, consider a skinny latte with skim milk or almond milk and a sugar-free pump of sweetener. That’s better than a latte with a lot of sugar and extra calories.”

Like many foods and beverages, the label matters. Checking for added sugars and other ingredients can help ensure you’re getting the benefits that make green tea such a popular choice.

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