After coffee and water, there’s no drink that’s more beloved than tea.
In the public eye, it’s the perfect drink: Few things are as satisfying than a warm, soothing cup of tea to calm the nerves and senses, there are virtually endless flavours and brewing styles to get lost in, and many teas afford a number of health benefits.
Studies suggest that tea can help reduce your risk of developing chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.
But like all things in life, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Going over 3-4 cups of tea each day can have negative effects, like…
Reduced Iron Absorption
The tannins in tea – or, its antioxidant properties – are good, but they tend to bind iron to certain foods, making them tough for our bodies to absorb. This can contribute to iron deficiency, one of the most common nutrient deficiencies on the planet.
Bad Sleep
That’s right, a calming cup of tea can actually ruin your shut-eye. This is because tea naturally contains caffeine, which inhibits the sleep hormone, melatonin. Poor sleep has been linked to exhaustion, and mental issues like lower attention span and bad memory.
Related: Is Coffee or Tea Better for You in the Morning?
Increased Anxiety and Restlessness
Another couple of symptoms connected to caffeine, tea can add senses of restlessness, anxiety and stress. Black teas generally have higher caffeine contents compared to green and white alternatives.
Heartburn
Too much tea can aggravate preexisting acid reflux symptoms, and can also contribute to acid production in the stomach. It can also have you feeling nauseous, though both of these negative side effects can be assuaged with some milk or cream. Still, keep your tea consumption to less than 3-4 cups a day so you’re getting all the good, and none of the bad.
Photo Credit: Natali Ximich/Shutterstock.com; Shulevskyy Volodymyr/Shutterstock.com
