Experts have warned that green tea can weaken the effects of nadolol, a commonly prescribed blood pressure pill.

Japanese researchers found the green tea drink blocks special cell transporters that normally help the body absorb the beta-blocker medicine.

In tests, people who drank green tea alongside taking their tablets ended up with lower circulating blood levels of the drug nadolol.

Experts say consumers need to be aware of this interaction.

Like other drugs, the patient leaflet accompanying nadolol tablets warns that certain medicines, including herbal remedies, can interact with their action. But it does not include green tea in this list.

Japanese researchers found the green tea drink blocks special cell transporters that normally help the body absorb nadolol

Doctors already advise that certain fruit juices, including grapefruit, can interfere with some common medications, including beta blockers.

The study in the journal Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics found nadolol’s lowering effect on blood pressure was blunted in the 10 volunteers who agreed to drink green tea.

Follow-up tests in the laboratory revealed that green tea blocked a drug transporter present in the lining of the human gut that helps move nadolol into the cells.

The scientists estimate that a couple of cups of green tea would be enough to have this effect in humans.

It is not clear if other types of tea have a similar effect.

And they point out that green tea is also purported to have many health benefits.

Green tea is less processed than other teas and, consequently, retains higher concentrations of antioxidants.