New Delhi: Apart from water, black tea is said to be the most consumed beverage in the world. Made with the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, it is often blended with other plants for different flavors. Even though black tea has a relatively stronger flavour and more caffeine than other teas, it has a variety of health benefits you can reap. However, there is a catch.
Loaded with antioxidants and compounds that help reduce inflammation, black tea is good for health only if had in moderation. Overdrink it and find yourself in some serious trouble.
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Side effects of black tea
According to health experts, drinking black tea in moderate amounts, which is around 4 cups daily is likely safe for most people. However, if you guzzle more than that, it is unsafe due to the high caffeine content in black tea.
These side effects can range from mild to serious and include headaches, irregular heartbeat, and even complications with cardiovascular disease. Here are a few serious flipsides of overdrinking black tea:
Black tea is loaded with tannins that give it its reddish-brown color and characteristic full-bodied, astringent flavor. Even though tannins are good for the growth and nutrition of the tea plant, if you consume black tea in higher amounts, it can severely iron absorption in your body.
Iron deficiency can cause anemia and increases your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs, such as an abnormally fast heartbeat, or even heart failure, where your heart is unable to pump enough blood around your body at the right pressure.
Causes an upset stomach
Tea if had in large amounts is safe, however, excessive consumption regularly can cause serious trouble with your digestion.
Black tea can cause stomach cramps, gas troubles, nausea or vomiting, and other gastrointestinal upsets.
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Caffeine toxicity
According to health experts, drinking very high amounts of black tea containing more than 10 grams of caffeine is unsafe.
At least 8 ounces of Black tea contains 42mg-79mg of caffeine, which is considered moderate when compared to green tea. While many people enjoy caffeine’s stimulating properties, excessive consumption can result in disastrous health issues like abnormally low serum potassium levels, a condition that has been associated with caffeine toxicity.
Excessive caffeine also causes tremors, nervousness, headache, palpitations, and sleeplessness which leads to insomnia.
Teeth discolouration
Regular consumption of black tea can also discolor your teeth over time, causing a yellow stain.
How to reverse the ill effects?
Doctors believe that a few hazards caused by excessive black tea consumption can be taken care of in the following ways:
- If you have iron-deficiency anemia, reducing the consumption of black tea would help. Instead, switch over to healthy beverages like coconut water, buttermilk, or old-fashioned lemonade. To increase the blood count and iron in the body, eat a healthy and balanced diet that contains lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.
- Avoid over-steeping tea, as it would help bring down the number of tannins and oxalates in tea.
- Increase your consumption of vitamin C with the help of a large intake of lemons, oranges, pineapples, etc. to improve the absorption of non-heme iron.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
