What will happen to your body if you drink a lot of tea every day? What happens to your body when you drink a lot of tea? Is it worth drinking tea?

“Shouldn’t we have some tea?” Most of us greet and see off guests with this phrase. The aromatic drink is considered a healing potion, and drinking it is a special tradition. If the tea is also green, no one doubts its medicinal properties: rich in antioxidants, invigorating, lowers cholesterol, cleanses the body and is an ideal local anti-inflammatory agent.

Can I drink green tea?

In the East, green and white tea are considered the healthiest. Then there are yellow, red and black varieties. Many people don't know that tea contains 4 times more caffeine than coffee. But from dry tea leaves, caffeine is not completely extracted into the drink; its actual content is always lower.

The post-Soviet tradition of drinking tea is similar to a tea ceremony in Through the Looking Glass, “in which everyone drinks tea like crazy.” We like to drink tea after breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a couple of cups between work to quench our thirst. And always, when you are bored, you can pass the time with a fragrant drink. It seems like a lot.

Editorial "So simple!" I found out why you shouldn’t get carried away with tea drinking and what problems can arise from long-term consumption of green or black tea.

1.Destruction of bone tissue

Strongly brewed black tea contains a high concentration of fluoride, which, when consumed in excess, destroys calcium compounds. First of all, tooth enamel suffers, teeth turn yellow, and caries occurs. The risk of developing skeletal fluorosis and osteoporosis - excessive fragility of bones - increases. Therefore, do not overuse tea leaves during preparation and infuse the drink for no more than 3–5 minutes.

2. Yellow teeth

Look at your cup: if there is plaque on its walls, it is better to discard the tea that was brewed in it. After all, plaque stains not only the snow-white surface of the mug, but also the enamel of your teeth! Most often this concerns cheap tea bags; they may contain not only dyes and flavors, but also low-quality tea leaves.

3. Heavy metals

In 2013, the Canadian Journal of Toxicology published the results of a study of bagged tea from different manufacturers. Toxicologists found lead, aluminum, arsenic and cadmium in all samples! Heavy metals enter the plant from contaminated soil, and their concentration directly depends on the brewing. The maximum amount of toxic substances is released into tea if it is brewed for 15–17 minutes.

Do not steep the drink for more than 3 minutes. It is better to give preference to white tea, the leaves of which do not have time to accumulate harmful substances, because they are picked young.

4.Nosebleed

The habit of drinking boiling tea can have a bad effect on the vessels of the nasopharynx and provoke bleeding. Regular consumption of hot food and drinks destroys the walls of the esophagus, and cancerous tumors often appear at burn sites. You don’t have to wait long to get the optimal tea temperature (50–60°). Let it brew for 5-7 minutes and the drink is ready.

5. Insomnia

When asked whether it is possible to drink green tea at night, doctors answer in the affirmative: “Under no circumstances!” Caffeine and essential oils increase heart rate and pulse, blood flow accelerates, the adrenal glands secrete more adrenaline, and the central nervous system and brain become excited. In the evening, it is better to refrain from all types of tea and coffee, limiting yourself to herbal drinks.

6. Neutralizes the effect of drugs

When you are sick and have a fever, you should not get carried away with strong tea. It contains theophylline, which has a diuretic effect and reduces the effectiveness of antipyretic drugs. You should not drink nitrogen-containing drugs with tea (“Papaverine”, “Codeine”, “Caffeine”, “Eufillin”, cardiac glycosides and others). They form sediment when interacting with tea tannins and can be bad for the heart.

7. Iron deficiency anemia

Back in 2011, American scientists found that tea blocks the absorption of iron. Regular consumption of tea with meals provokes iron deficiency anemia with unpleasant consequences. The condition of the skin and hair worsens, the person feels lethargic and fatigued. Do not overuse tea for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is recommended to wait 20 minutes before or after eating.

To normalize iron levels, it is not enough to give up the drink. You need to take special medications prescribed by your doctor.

8. Can pregnant women have green tea?

During pregnancy, it is better to avoid drinking drinks that contain caffeine. According to Japanese studies, 5 cups of green tea per day leads to underweight in newborns. In addition, having a pronounced diuretic effect, tea increases the load on the mother's kidneys.

Green tea reduces the efficiency of folic acid absorption. And it is one of the most important elements necessary for the proper development of a child! It is better to limit tea consumption during pregnancy, optimally no more than 2 cups per day.

Like many herbal teas, tea leaves can accumulate pyrrolizidine alkaloids, plant toxins. These substances were found in 86% of samples of herbal teas for children, pregnant women and lactating women. They pose no danger to a healthy person. The threat exists for unborn children and low-birth-weight breastfed infants, who receive toxins from their mother.

Despite the above disadvantages, green tea is a healthy and delicious drink. To keep your body healthy and attractive, do not overuse it. It is better to quench your thirst with water, but 2-3 cups of tea a day are enough to recharge your energy. Give preference to large-leaf varieties, which retain the maximum amount of healing substances.

The first prohibition is not to drink tea on an empty stomach. When drinking tea on an empty stomach, the cold nature of the tea, penetrating inside, can cool the spleen and stomach, which is similar to “a wolf entering the house,” in China, since ancient times, it was advised not to “drink tea on an empty heart.”

The second prohibition is not to drink scalding tea. Too hot tea greatly irritates the throat, esophagus and stomach. Long-term drinking of very hot tea can lead to painful changes in these organs. According to foreign studies, frequent consumption of tea at temperatures above 62 degrees leads to increased vulnerability of the stomach walls and gives symptoms of various stomach diseases. The temperature of the tea should not exceed 56 degrees.

The third prohibition is not to drink iced tea. While warm and hot tea gives vigor, makes consciousness and vision clear, cold tea gives side effects: stagnation of cold and accumulation of phlegm.

The fourth prohibition is not to drink too strong tea. The high caffeine and tannin content in strong tea can cause headaches and insomnia.

The fifth prohibition is not to brew tea for a long time. If tea is brewed for too long, tea polyphenols and essential oils begin to spontaneously oxidize, which not only deprives the tea of transparency, taste and aroma, but also significantly reduces the nutritional value of tea due to the oxidation of vitamins C and P contained in tea leaves, amino acids and other valuable substances. In addition, when infused, tea is exposed to the environment; if tea languishes in a warm place for a long time, the content of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) increases significantly.

The sixth prohibition is not to brew repeatedly. Usually, after the third or fourth steeping, there is little left in the tea leaves. Experiments show that the first infusion extracts approximately 50% of the beneficial substances from the tea leaves. The second is 30%, and the third is only about 10%, the fourth brew adds another 1-3%. If you continue to brew the tea, then harmful components may be released into the infusion, since harmful elements contained in very small quantities in tea leaves are the last to be released into the infusion.

The seventh prohibition is not to drink tea before meals. A large amount of tea drunk before a meal dilutes saliva, food begins to seem tasteless, and the absorption of protein by the digestive organs may temporarily decrease. Hence, drink tea 20-30 minutes before meals.

The eighth prohibition is not to drink tea immediately after eating. Any heavy drink immediately after eating leads to a significant decrease in the concentration of gastric juice, and this slows down digestion and disrupts the functioning of all digestive organs; it is better to do this 20-30 minutes after eating.

The ninth prohibition is not to take medicine with tea. The tannins contained in tea, when broken down, form tannin, from which many medicines leave a sediment and are poorly absorbed. That's why the Chinese say that tea destroys medicine.

The tenth prohibition is not to drink yesterday’s tea. Tea that sits for a day not only loses vitamins, but also becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. But if the tea has not spoiled, it can be used for medicinal purposes, but only as an external remedy. So, tea brewed one day is rich in acids and fluorine, which prevent bleeding from the capillaries, so yesterday's tea helps with inflammation of the oral cavity, pain in the tongue, eczema, bleeding gums, superficial skin lesions, and ulcers. Rinsing your eyes with yesterday's tea helps reduce discomfort when it appears in the whites of blood vessels and after tears, and rinsing your mouth in the morning before brushing your teeth and after eating not only leaves you feeling fresh, but also strengthens your teeth.

Why do they drink tea? There are connoisseurs who prefer to drink only elite varieties of tea, enjoying the drink and holding tea ceremonies. Some people drink tea to quench their thirst. Many people choose tea for a pleasant tea party in good company. This drink relaxes, tones, and saturates the body with beneficial properties. But is it harmful to drink a lot of tea? Can it cause harm?

Large amounts of tea: harm or benefit

Excessive consumption of tea can affect the functioning of internal organs and the general condition of the body. Why shouldn't you drink large amounts of tea?

milder in action than coffee, but it increases blood pressure, causes insomnia, and affects the nervous system. If you drink tea frequently, you may experience nervousness, irritability, and decreased concentration.
Tannin, which is found in tea tree leaves, is a toxic element. It affects the secreted gastric juice and disrupts the digestion process.
Green tea has a high concentration of fluoride. It negatively affects the condition of bones and teeth. Drinking in excessive quantities can lead to a condition resembling poisoning.
Those who are worried about stomach ulcers or frequent attacks of heartburn need to be careful and not drink too much green tea. Although you shouldn’t overuse black tea, in case of gastrointestinal diseases, it also negatively affects the gastric mucosa.
Too much tea is harmful, because it is a diuretic. Uric acid is deposited in the joints, leading to arthritis and gout.
Women suffering from PMS may feel an increase in unpleasant symptoms after drinking a lot of tea.
Drinking tea in large doses is dangerous; it can cause headaches, dizziness, insomnia, lethargy, and sore throat.

As you can see, everything is good only in moderation, tea is no exception. It should not be abused. Especially, you should not drink a low-quality product, bagged tea, consisting of tea dust. It is necessary to follow the rules for consuming tea so that it does not cause harm.

Why can't you drink yesterday's tea?

Tea leaves contain more than 200 different chemical compounds that are harmless to human health. It is recommended to drink only freshly brewed tea so that all substances and compounds are not destroyed. Once the tea infusion sits for several hours, vitamins C and B completely evaporate. When brewing for a long time in a thermos or cooking on the stove, chemical processes occur in tea leaves that completely change not only the taste of the drink, its color and aroma, but also its composition.

Which has been infused for a long time, people suffering from problems with the cardiovascular system should not drink. It contains what is harmful to people with central nervous system diseases. The increased amount of guanine in yesterday's tea is harmful to people with gout.

Is it harmful to drink tea at night?

Is it possible to drink tea in the evening? It is not harmful to drink only clean water at night. And then in small quantities so that you can sleep soundly until the morning. But coffee and tea at night will lead to insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness. At night, our body should rest, relax, and not digest the absorbed liquid all night, including the heart and kidneys. Therefore, you should avoid evening tea parties.

Should I drink tea after meals?

Rules for drinking tea

You should not drink strong tea, it will cause headaches and insomnia.
It is recommended to drink the drink 40-60 minutes after a meal. Those who drink it on an empty stomach experience nausea and epigastric pain.
If you take medications, you should not take them with tea.
The tea temperature should be no more than 65 degrees. A drink that is too cold and scalding is harmful to the body.

How much tea can you drink per day

Everyone determines for themselves what amount of tea is optimal. For some, it is enough to drink two cups of tea, while others drink five cups without any problems.

Experts believe that up to 5 cups of weak, freshly brewed tea can be drunk without fear that the drink will negatively affect the body. In small quantities, tea will only provide benefits and share all the beneficial substances that it contains.

Lovers of strong drinks should not exceed a dose of 2-3 mugs. Place no more than 3 grams of tea leaves on one mug. Then only 5-10 grams of pure tea will be consumed per day. It is better to brew tea in small portions so that the entire amount can be drunk at once.

Today we will talk about those cases when drinking tea is harmful. We will give answers to popular questions from site visitors about the dangers of tea, and also dispel popular questions about it.

Any tea, like any product, can be of high quality or low quality. If you take a low-quality product, there is no point in talking about the benefits for your body. Therefore, we are talking about high-quality tea, and not tea dust in a bag, which is sold in most stores.

Is it true that drinking long-steeped tea is harmful?

Yes, there is some truth in this.
It is known that tea leaves contain >100 different compounds that are absolutely harmless to human health. But it is recommended to drink freshly brewed tea (after steeping the tea for 4-8 minutes, depending on the type and type of tea). "Why?" - you ask.

It is important to know that long-term brewing destroys vitamins that are beneficial to the body and health, such as vitamin B and C. If tea is infused on a stove or thermos, then chemical reactions and processes occur that change the taste of the tea, as well as its aroma and color (it often becomes cloudy when cooled).

Long-infused strong tea is not recommended for people who have problems with the nervous and cardiovascular systems. This tea has a large amount of caffeine. It is also dangerous for people who suffer from diseases such as gout and uric acid diathesis due to the increased amount of a substance such as guanine.

There is little guanine in freshly brewed teas, since it dissolves very poorly and slowly in water. So you shouldn't drink yesterday's tea!

Is it harmful to drink tea and coffee at night?

Drinking water at night if you want is not harmful. But you should not drink strong coffee or tea. It is better to drink weak tea or dairy products in small quantities. If you drink a lot of liquids at night, your stomach will stretch and you will begin to overeat over time.

Remember that at night your body should rest, and not digest the drink you have taken, engage your kidneys and strain your heart.

So drinking tea in the evenings shouldn’t get carried away and become a habit!

Is it harmful to drink tea after meals?

It's harmful! Caffeine, which is in tea, inhibits the normal absorption of food by the body. It is better to drink small sips of water in small quantities than tea or coffee!

Is it possible to take medications and medications with tea?
No! You need to take medications with water, not tea or coffee, as many people do.

Simple rules for drinking tea:

It is not recommended to drink tea on an empty stomach, or before or immediately after meals. It is better to drink tea 25-40 minutes after eating food.
It is recommended to drink tea at 50-65°C. Very hot and harmful to drink!
Strong tea can cause problems with your sleep and be the main cause of headaches.

1. Do not drink strong hot tea at elevated temperatures. Pharmacologists have found that strong tea not only does not benefit those suffering from fever, but, on the contrary, theophylline contained in tea increases body temperature. Theophylline also has a diuretic effect, and therefore it renders any antipyretic drugs ineffective or ineffective.

2. You cannot drink very hot tea. Its long-term use can lead to painful changes in the throat, esophagus and stomach. The tea temperature should not exceed 56°C.

3. You should not drink tea shortly before bed.- due to the stimulating effect of caffeine and aromatic substances. A cup of strong tea before bed puts the central nervous system and brain in a state of excitement, the pulse quickens, the blood flow accelerates, and it becomes almost impossible to fall asleep. The high content of caffeine and theine in strong tea can cause headaches and insomnia.

4. It is not recommended to brew tea repeatedly. Usually, after the third or fourth steeping, there is little left in the tea leaves. If you brew tea repeatedly, then harmful components can also be released into the infusion, since harmful elements contained in very small quantities in tea leaves are the last to be released into the infusion.

5. It is also not recommended to drink tea immediately after eating. The tannin in tea can cause protein and iron to harden, impairing their absorption. It is advisable to drink tea no earlier than after a meal; wait 20–30 minutes.

6. You cannot take your medicine with tea. The tannins contained in tea, when broken down, form tannin, from which many medicines leave a sediment and are poorly absorbed.

7. Tea is not compatible with alcohol. Drinking tea after drinking alcohol has a negative effect on the kidneys. Theophylline contained in tea accelerates the process of urine production in the kidneys, which leads to the fact that not yet broken down acetaldehyde can enter them, which has a highly stimulating harmful effect on the kidneys, in some cases posing a threat to life. Alcoholic drinks should not be mixed with tea, and especially with strong tea.

Experiment: a man drinks 10 cans of cola a day to prove its harm