An English teen who was drinking 3 cups of green tea per day began experiencing several health problems – she felt dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness, and she had pain all over her body. She decided to visit the doctor’s office, where she was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and given antibiotics.
But after taking only two pills, she felt worse, so she went to the emergency room at the hospital.
The first thing that the doctors at the ER noticed was the yellowish skin and whites of the eyes, which are typical signs of jaundice.
Her condition was assessed as serious and she needed close medical attention. The doctors found that she had hepatitis, because the liver was inflamed and swollen.
This was unusual, because 16-year-old girls rarely develop sudden and severe hepatitis, so the doctors tried to identify what had led to it. The cause they found surprised them.
The girl said that she had not travelled outside the country for a while, that she had never used any illegal drugs or other medication, and that she didn’t drink alcohol. In addition, she had never had a blood transfusion, and until that moment she had been healthy.
The doctors continued to ask questions. Eventually, they found out that the girl had purchased 2 boxes of green tea from China over the internet, and she had been drinking this tea daily (three cups) for about three months. The teen was attracted by an advertisement that promised weight loss.
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The instructions on the box were in Chinese, so she drank what she considered to be a “normal” amount of tea. The doctors asked her about the product and looked at its ingredients. She was told to stop drinking this tea right away.
The product contained Camellia sinensis, the evergreen plant whose leaves are used to make green tea and other types of tea. Ordinary green tea made from this plant is considered safe for most people in moderate amounts. However, there have been reports in the medical literature that link green tea, and especially concentrated green tea extracts and weight-loss supplements, to hepatitis and liver damage in a small number of people.
In rare cases described in the literature, people experienced severe liver damage, and some needed a liver transplant. The doctors also noted that such products may contain other added ingredients or contaminants, because weight-loss teas bought online are not always clearly labeled.
The team of doctors decided to share this case in the journal BMJ Case Reports. They pointed out that pesticide residues and other substances in less regulated or unregulated products purchased online from different countries could also play a role. Customers usually don’t know much about these products, so they are encouraged to do more thorough research before they buy something like this or, even better, to stay away from such products.
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Fortunately, the teen girl recovered relatively fast after she stopped drinking this green tea, and at her follow-up about two months later her liver was functioning properly again. The doctors now mention her case when they want to emphasize that, in rare cases, green tea products can be linked to liver problems, and that certain teas advertised as weight-loss products may come with unwanted substances such as pesticides.
If you enjoy drinking green tea, choose one from a well-established brand, and see a doctor if you ever notice yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Via Sun Gazing
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.