Is green tea worth the hype?

A cup of coffee or tea is essential for many to start their day. If you are someone who depend on these beverages to give you that necessary kick to get through the day then you know your energy levels dip if you skip the drink.

But is it really healthy to consume a cup of coffee or tea the minute you wake up?

Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, who is also a dietitian to actor Kareena Kapoor, took to Twitter recently to discuss some myths associated with tea and coffee. According to Diwekar, coffee or tea shouldn't be consumed first thing upon waking up. These beverages shouldn't be the last thing you drink before sleeping and they shouldn't be a substitute for a meal during the day as well. As for how many cups of coffee or tea one can have in a day, Diwekar recommends not more than three cups.

The celebrity nutritionist also added that sugar shouldn't be avoided.

"WHO and other global diabetes organizations say 6-9 tsp of sugar a day is ok. Add sugar to your chai/coffee, avoid the invisible sugar from packaged food (breakfast cereals, fruit juice, biscuits, etc)," wrote Diwekar.

As for whether green tea or green coffee are healthier alternatives, here's what Diwekar says: "Only for profits, not people. Btw, Indian masala chai (with milk and spices) is now being considered as an anti-oxidant rich health drink to aid recovery," she tweeted.

Interestingly, green tea is one of the most preferred beverages for people perusing a healthier lifestyle and it has been touted as world's healthiest drink due to its high antioxidant content.

Katie Ellis, a nutrition major at UK, told Kentucky Kernel that green tea holds many benefits for the body.

“Aside from the nutrients your body receives from green tea, it also helps a lot with allergies,” Ellis said. “Believe it or not, green tea helps itchy eyes and stuffy nose, and in some cases, the antioxidants in green tea have the ability to get rid of those allergies all together.”