How much tea is too much?
HOW MUCH TEA IS TOO MUCH? It’s raining outside, it’s too cold or even if it’s too hot, chai lovers just need an excuse to have another cup. Tea is one ancient drink, which claims to have many health benefits. The drink contains caffeine, fluoride and flavonoids.
A study noted that having three cups of tea regularly can cut down one’s risk of heart disease by 11 per cent. But do you know that excessive consumption of tea can affect one’s health adversely. Read on to know the three serious health problems that can happen due to your tea habit.
Caffeine consumption
CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION: Both green and brown teas have 40 mg of caffeine per cup, according to Brown University. And consuming too much of it can lead to caffeine dependency, which may make it difficult for you concentrate, make you restless, feel jittery or disrupt your sleep patterns.
Lower iron absorption
LOWER IRON ABSORPTION: Tannins, a chemical compound in tea is said to interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron if consumed in too much quantity. Reports from Colorado State University say that tea can reduce one’s ability to absorb iron by 60 per cent. For vegetarians who anyway do not consume much iron, having too much tea can increase their risk of developing iron deficiency.
Can interrupt with some medicines
CAN INTERRUPT WITH SOME MEDICINES: Tea can interrupt with some medication if consumed in large quantities. If you are a tea lover and are advised to follow a treatment, seek permission from your doctor if you can drink tea. The effectiveness of some antibiotics may be increased if you have tea with them, says a study conducted at the University of Maryland Medical Centre. Tea can also reduce the efficacy of some medications like MAOIs, chemotherapy drugs, oral contraceptives and clozapine.
How much is too much?
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? Different studies have varying thoughts on this. While some say two to four cups in a day is normal, there are others that claim the upper limit as 10 cups per day. On an average, three to five cups of tea in a day would be okay to have. Rest it depends on the way your body responds to compounds present in tea.