| On my recent trip to a local grocery store in | | | | Mayo Clinic, agrees that recent studies have |
| Chicago I was surprised to find out how the | | | | shown caffeine does not have a diuretic effect, |
| selection of regular caffeinated green teas has | | | | unless it's consumed in large amounts (4-7 cups of |
| shrunk. Actually, the selection of all kinds of herbal | | | | coffee a day). Earlier research that warned |
| teas with naturally occurring caffeine seemed to | | | | against risk of becoming dehydrated because of |
| be reduced to a few packs. | | | | the consumption of caffeine now is considered |
| And this is not only the case in my neighborhood. | | | | outdated. |
| I have noticed same changes at Treasure Island | | | | There are also indications that valuable |
| and Whole Foods that I frequent all over the city. | | | | antioxidants could be lost during the process of |
| When general hype about decaf beverages | | | | decaffeination. Although antioxidants found in |
| seems to be losing its momentum, majority of | | | | regular tea are also found in the decaffeinated |
| retailers only recently gave in to the older trend | | | | tea, they are present in lower amounts. |
| and started eliminating caffeinated teas from their | | | | In order to get the same benefit, you must |
| stores. Should we really be so afraid of caffeine, | | | | consume more of decaffeinated tea. If you listen |
| or is it one more instance of misunderstood | | | | to your doctor carefully and really drink your |
| message about what real enemies of our health | | | | water, there is a fair question to ask: How much |
| are? | | | | more liquids can you take without, well, throwing |
| Supposedly, decaffeinated drinks have no harm to | | | | up? |
| human nervous system and often are considered | | | | If you are on a diet and trying to eat healthier, |
| to be healthier. However, I am not here to prove | | | | green tea might be one of a few pleasures you |
| whether decaffeinated drinks are really healthier, | | | | can let yourself to indulge in. Having in mind that |
| although that could be disputed too. My only | | | | both coffee and green tea might contribute to |
| concern is whether reaching for decaffeinated | | | | regulating your weight, there is no reason why |
| drinks is a smart choice for folks trying to shed | | | | you should choose decaffeinated beverages (with |
| some pounds and whether they could do any | | | | the exception of people with serious health |
| bigger damage than the ones containing som | | | | problems). |
| naturally occurring caffeine. | | | | When it comes to general scare of negative |
| It is a well known fact that drinking regular coffee | | | | effects of caffeine, think of soft drinks you |
| and green tea in moderation boosts your | | | | probably consume on daily basis. Most of them |
| alertness, reduces craving for food and helps to | | | | contain caffeine. Don't forget chocolate, doughnuts |
| drain unwanted liquids out of your organism. Thus | | | | and cookies. |
| you not only feel better, but also gradually lose | | | | It is very likely that the biggest amount of your |
| some weight. | | | | caffeine intake comes from these sources, not |
| No serious medical study would suggest that | | | | from teas or even coffee. And if you really care |
| consuming a cup of coffee and a couple of cups | | | | about your weight and health, you should not be |
| of green tea a day could do any harm to your | | | | drinking carbonated beverages and eating |
| health. | | | | doughnuts in the first place. |
| Katherine Zeratsky, a nutritionist at prestigious | | | | |