Can you drink too much tea?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “can you drink too much tea” with an in-depth analysis of the effects of drinking too much tea. Moreover, we are going to highlight what are recommendations about consuming teas, what are the effects of drinking too much tea, and how different types of teas are beneficial.
Can you drink too much tea?
No, you cannot drink too much tea regularly as excessive consumption of it may produce toxicity of certain compounds, particularly caffeine, in the body. Some teas can still be drunk without worrying too much as there is no caffeine in them but still you need to be careful.
Recommendations for drinking tea:
Some of the researchers suggest consuming one cup of tea per day and uptake to about 11 cups per week is also considered as safe. Some researchers also considered 3 cups per day as safe.
The recommendations are mainly dependent upon the caffeine content of the tea as too much caffeine is bad for health, such as it can produce anxiety, heartburn, nausea, iron absorption problems, and caffeine addiction.
Caffeine in different teas:
Almost all the teas contain caffeine that acts as a stress reliever when consumed in an appropriate amount. This amount is always lower than that present in the coffee that is why teas are preferred over coffee.
An 8-ounce cup of different teas contains different amounts of caffeine, such as 95 mg in coffee, 48 mg in black tea, 29 mg in green tea, and 38 mg in oolong tea. Decaffeinated teas are also available nowadays that still have a small amount of caffeine in them and herbal teas are free of caffeine.
Effects of too much tea:
Too much consumption of tea is known to be associated with different health outcomes, some of which are listed below:
The tannins, found in tea, can lower the absorption of iron from food. These compounds form complexes with the iron present in food and prevent its absorption. Therefore, overconsumption can significantly produce symptoms as well the conditions to iron deficiency, such as anemia.
Stress and anxiety:
Caffeine found in most teas is found soothing at the start but when the person becomes addicted and starts to consume too much caffeine, stress, anxiety, and restlessness are the ultimate effects.
Insomnia:
Excessive consumption of tea alters the normal sleep patterns and slows the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin. Sometimes, you may feel lightheaded and giddy after consuming tea.
Nausea:
Tea contains several compounds that are linked to nausea when consumed too much. Tannins in tea are also a problem as they irritate the digestive tissue and can produce feelings of nausea.
Acid reflux:
Tea can also cause acid reflux problems due to caffeine as it can increase the acid production in the stomach and relax the lower esophageal sphincter that allows the movement of stomach contents back into the mouth.
Benefits of tea:
Some of the benefits associated with different types of teas are as follows:
White tea:
white tea is native to China and India and is prepared from the Camellia sinensis plant. It has a delicate flavor due to which it is liked in different regions of the world. High levels of antioxidants in white tea help in fighting many different types of cancers.
The fluoride content, catechins, and tannins in this tea are also high that improve teeth health, make teeth resistant to acids and sugars, and protect them against plaque formation. The caffeine content is not too much that provides a benefit to consumers who want to limit their caffeine intake.
Herbal Tea:
Most herbal teas are caffeine-free but rich in other compounds, such as tannins and antioxidants. Some of the herbal teas areas:
- Chamomile tea is best known for reducing stress, anxiety, muscle spasms, and menstrual pain.
- Rooibos tea helps in the improvement of blood pressure and proper circulation, lowering LDL cholesterol, regulating skin and hair health, and providing protection against allergies.
- Peppermint tea is very helpful in dealing with GIT problems, such as upset stomach, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and diarrhea.
- Ginger tea is best for chronic conditions, morning sickness and joint pain.
Green tea:
Green tea is enriched in flavonoids that lower the bad cholesterol (LDL) and reduce the blood clotting as a result of which overall heart health is maintained. It also lowers the risk of coronary diseases through regulating the proper blood flow and pressure.
Many types of cancers, including liver, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers have been known to become less severe due to the anti-inflammatory properties of green tea.
You can find more about the benefits of different teas here.
Other FAQs about Tea that you may be interested in.
Can kombucha give you a yeast infection?
What is the best way to drink tea?
Conclusion:
In this brief guide, we answered the question “can you drink too much tea” with an in-depth analysis of the outcomes that may appear after drinking too much tea daily. Moreover, we discussed what are the recommendations of drinking tea, how adverse effects are produced by excessive consumption, and how different kinds of teas are beneficial.
