
Is brown rice tea bad for you? The truth behind the rumors! A thorough explanation of the ingredients, effects, and drawbacks
Introduction
Genmaicha is a tea that perfectly combines the fragrant aroma of brown rice and the gentle flavor of tea.
Many people enjoy drinking brown rice tea when they want to take a break or as a snack with their meals. However, you may come across some worrying information on the Internet, such as "Brown rice tea is bad for your health."
"It's fragrant and delicious, but is it really bad for your health?"
Some of you may have thought so.
In this article, we will thoroughly investigate the intriguing rumors about Genmaicha.
We will explain in detail the nutritional components of brown rice tea, the health benefits you can expect, and any drawbacks that may be of concern.
To put it bluntly, is brown rice tea bad for your health?
To put it simply, brown rice tea is basically a good drink for your body.
Genmaicha is a blend of green tea and roasted rice, combining the best of both. (Brown rice was used in the past, but roasted brown rice has too strong a flavor, so roasted white rice is now commonly used.)
It is packed with healthy ingredients, such as catechins and vitamins from green tea, and dietary fiber and B vitamins from roasted rice.
These ingredients provide various health benefits, including antioxidant effects, blood pressure control, and intestinal regulation.
So why are there such rumors?
This is thought to be due to the trace amounts of caffeine it contains and the abundant dietary fiber that is unique to brown rice tea.
Reasons why brown rice tea is said to be bad for your health, and its disadvantages
Genmaicha is said to contain less caffeine than green tea, but it is not a caffeine-free beverage.
Genmaicha contains about 10mg of caffeine per 100ml, which is about half the amount found in regular sencha, a common type of green tea.
So why does genmaicha have less caffeine than regular sencha?
The reason is that the proportion of tea leaves is reduced when brown rice is blended.
Brown rice itself contains very little caffeine, meaning the higher the ratio of brown rice in your drink, the less caffeine there will be.
That being said, it does contain trace amounts of caffeine, and steeping it in hot water for a long period of time or drinking a large amount will likely provide a certain level of stimulant effect.
The amount of caffeine also varies depending on the type of tea leaves used and the blend ratio.
For example, genmaicha that contains a high proportion of green tea, genmaicha made with high-quality tea leaves such as gyokuro, and genmaicha that contains matcha tend to have slightly higher caffeine levels.
If you are sensitive to caffeine or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should check the type of tea leaves and blend ratio when choosing genmaicha.
Also, if you want to reduce the amount of caffeine, we recommend brewing genmaicha at a lower temperature instead of using boiling water.
Packed with dietary fiber! Things to be aware of when drinking Genmaicha
Next, there is the effect of the dietary fiber contained in brown rice tea.
Unlike regular sencha, which is made only from tea leaves, genmaicha is rich in dietary fiber derived from roasted rice.
Dietary fiber is known to be an ingredient that helps regulate intestinal environment and relieve constipation, but if you consume too much, it can also cause loose stools.
In particular, if someone who normally consumes little dietary fiber suddenly drinks a large amount of Genmaicha, their intestines will not be able to adapt to the change, which can lead to stomach problems.
However, roasted rice, the raw material for genmaicha, contains a good balance of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, which are necessary for relieving constipation.
Drinking the appropriate amount will help improve your intestinal environment and relieve constipation.
To enjoy Genmaicha to the fullest, it is important to drink the appropriate amount in consideration of your own physical condition.
Ingredients and health effects of Genmaicha tea
Genmaicha is a savory Japanese tea made from a blend of green tea and roasted rice. This unique combination provides numerous health benefits.
First of all, although the amount is small, about 1/2 to 1/4, compared to regular regular sencha, it still contains plenty of catechins derived from green tea.
Catechin, which has strong antioxidant properties, is expected to have various effects, such as suppressing blood pressure rise, preventing cancer, and preventing infectious diseases.
On the other hand, the B vitamins and dietary fiber contained in parboiled rice help promote metabolism and improve intestinal environment.
In addition, γ-oryzanol (gamma oryzanol), a component unique to rice (brown rice), has a strong antioxidant effect and is said to remove active oxygen from the body as well as suppress the absorption of cholesterol, contributing to the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.
In addition, pyrazine, the aromatic component of genmaicha, is thought to have a relaxing effect and help reduce stress.
It does contain a small amount of caffeine, which can help improve concentration, but the amount is less than that of green tea, so it is recommended for those who are concerned about caffeine or for reading in the evening.

Finally
How was it?
Of course, too much of a good thing is bad, so no matter how good something is for your body, you should avoid drinking too much of it. As mentioned above, excessive intake of caffeine and dietary fiber can also lead to poor health.
As for caffeine, which many people are concerned about, the upper limit for daily intake is approximately 400mg.
In the case of Genmaicha, there is no need to worry as it is unlikely that you will reach the upper limit unless you drink 30-40 cups in a regular-sized teacup.
However, everyone has different constitutions and physical conditions, so please enjoy it in a way that suits your own condition and tastes good.