Green tea has undergone an abundance of clinical research over the years because of its possible health benefits. Perhaps the most compelling of these benefits is green tea's ability to protect against cancer. While animal studies have provided promising results, scientists are still researching green tea's cancer-fighting effects on humans. At the very least, green tea is a low-calorie source of hydration. Diet green tea contains less sugar and fewer calories than regular versions.
Calories
An 8-oz. serving of a leading brand of iced diet green tea contains no calories. A 1.8-g tea bag of regular green tea contains zero calories as well. An 8-oz. serving of iced regular green tea, however, contains 80 calories. Because weight gain is a result of accumulating a positive caloric balance, iced diet green tea will not hinder any attempt to maintain a healthy weight.
Sugar
A serving of diet green tea is sugar free. Diet beverages use a product called aspartame, a substance composed of amino acids that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. Companies can use aspartame to flavor their beverages and significantly limit the calories in their products. A serving of regular iced green tea contains 21 g of sugar, existing in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. A brewed green tea bag does not contain sugar.
Sodium
Almost all bottle beverages and packaged foods contain sodium-based preservatives to preserve freshness. A serving of diet iced green tea contains 80 mg of sodium, as does a serving of regular iced green tea. The U.S. Department of Agriculture advises consuming less than 2300 mg of sodium per day, and less than 1500 mg a day if you are 51 or older, to prevent high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. A serving of diet green tea accounts for about 3 percent of the daily sodium limit for most people and 5 percent of the limit for someone 51 or older.
Caffeine
Diet and regular green tea beverages have similar caffeine amounts. Each serving of both diet and regular green tea contain 12 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is a mild stimulant in the same class as amphetamines. Caffeine can heighten central nervous system function when consumed in moderation, but you should generally limit your intake to about 200 to 300 mg per day to avoid irritability, anxiety, nausea, rapid heartbeat and gastrointestinal issues. A brewed green tea bag contains 35 mg of caffeine.
Flavonoids
Green tea contains natural ingredients called flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants, synthesized by plants, which can respond to bodily stresses by inhibiting the growth of cell-destroying agents called free radicals. Scientists are still researching the effects of flavonoids and their ability to protect against disease, but these chemicals may possibly fight against cancer, reduce cardiovascular risk and protect against neurodegenerative diseases. A serving of diet green tea contains 61 mg of flavonoids.
References
- Lipton: Lipton Diet Green Tea with Citrus Flavor
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Flavonoids; Jane Higdon; April 2005
- American Cancer Society; Aspartame; February 2011
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Caffeine: How Much is Too Much?; March 2011
Member Comments