Tea has various beneficial properties depending on its type. However, gastroenterologist Valeria Antyufeyeva from SM-Clinic told socialbites.ca that some people should be careful with this drink.
Firstly, he noted that tea contains tannins – tannins of natural origin, their concentration depends on the type of tea and the method of preparation. They can form compounds with iron found in foods, so they are not absorbed in the digestive tract.
“Iron from plant products under the influence of tannins is absorbed much worse than from animal products. Therefore, if you are suffering from latent iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, follow a strict vegetarian diet and control how much tea you drink. Antyufeeva said a dose of three or fewer glasses per day would be safe.
The doctor also stated that tea contains caffeine and consumption in large amounts can increase anxiety, stress and restlessness.
“Therefore, if you have anxiety-depressive disorder, you should limit your tea consumption. But according to the research, if you don’t exceed a caffeine dose of 200 mg per day, then for most people this is unlikely to cause serious anxiety,” said the gastroenterologist.
He also said that people with functional dyspepsia should be careful about drinking tea, as excessive consumption of this beverage can cause nausea and stomach pain, especially if drunk on an empty stomach. This is due to the aforementioned tannins present in the drink, which can irritate the stomach.
The expert advised, “To prevent this reaction, you can add a few drops of milk to your tea or eat some food.”
The doctor also warned that pregnant women should not abuse the tea because large amounts of caffeine can lead to various pregnancy complications. Therefore, you should not exceed the daily norm of 200 mg, and it is best to consult a doctor, since the individual characteristics of the body play an important role.
“Some women try to drink only herbal teas that do not contain caffeine. But it is important to understand that not all of these are safe for a pregnant woman. For example, those containing licorice. Therefore, I repeat, if you have any doubts, it is better to consult a specialist,” added Antyufeeva.
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