Tea is one of the world’s most beloved beverages. The most popular varieties are green, black, and oolong — all of which are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.Few things are as satisfying or soothing as drinking a hot cup of tea, but the merits of this beverage don’t stop there.
Tea has been used for its healing properties in Traditional medicine for centuries. Moreover, modern research suggests that plant compounds in tea may play a role in reducing your risk of chronic conditions, such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease .
Though moderate tea consumption is a very healthy choice for most people, exceeding 3–4 cups (710–950 ml) per day could have some negative side effects.
Here are 9 possible side effects of drinking too much tea.
1. Reduced iron absorption
Tea is a rich source of a class of compounds called tannins. Tannins can bind to iron in certain foods, rendering it unavailable for absorption in your digestive tract.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world, and if you have low iron levels, excessive tea intake may exacerbate your condition.
Research suggests that tea tannins are more likely to hinder the absorption of iron from plant sources than from animal-based foods. Thus, if you follow a strict vegan or vegetarian diet, you may want to pay extra close attention to how much tea you consume.
The exact amount of tannins in tea can vary considerably depending on the type and how it’s prepared. That said, limiting your intake to 3 or fewer cups (710 ml) per day is likely a safe range for most people.
If you have low iron but still enjoy drinking tea, consider having it between meals as an extra precaution. Doing so will make it less likely to affect your body’s ability to absorb iron from your food at mealtimes.
