Q. I try to drink hot green tea because of its touted health benefits. I have recently realized that if I drink more than one cup I get what I can only describe as an annoying restless leg syndrome while I am awake. Have you ever heard of this or am I just assuming the two are related? If I only drink one cup in the morning, this does not occur.
A. We have to admit that you have us stumped. The American Sleep Association actually suggests drinking green tea as a way of alleviating restless legs.
Although green tea is lower in caffeine than coffee, it does contain 24 to 40 mg in 8 ounces. Perhaps when you drink more than one cup of green tea, the amount of caffeine you consume is triggering the jittery limb movement. Caffeine has been associated with restless legs.
You will find other natural approaches to controlling restless legs syndrome (usually more troublesome at night) in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.
