For many of us, the morning seems incomplete without a hot, relaxing cup of tea. It’s soothing, delicious, and often a ritual we hold dear. However, the caffeine in tea has raised many concerns about its effects on health and dependence, leading many people to avoid it altogether. While excess of anything can be harmful, what about that cup of tea that many of us drink every day? Can one cup spoil your health? If you have these and other questions, read on to hear what the experts have to say on the matter.
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How much tea is safe to drink?
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), both tea and coffee are rich in caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system and leads to dependence. The recommended limit is 300 mg per day. A 150 ml cup of tea contains approximately 30–65 mg of caffeine. Experts recommend not drinking more than two cups of tea per day.
Is one cup of tea really that bad?
Absolutely not! Drinking one cup of tea a day will not harm your health at all. However, what is harmful are the snacks and meals you pair it with. Most of us pair our tea with snacks like biscuits, toast and pakoras for a very simple reason: the calories in snacks! As nutritionist Deepshikha Jain points out, if you eat 4-5 biscuits with your tea, it instantly adds to your day’s calorie count. Most snacks easily contain 300-400 calories. According to the expert, drinking a cup of tea with breakfast can:
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increased blood sugar
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diabetes
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weight gain
So, having a cup of tea is fine as long as you drink it carefully.
When is the worst time to drink tea?
Now that you know that a cup of tea won’t have any impact on your health, let’s find out when you should avoid drinking it to get the most out of it. Ayurvedic expert Dr. Deeksha Bhavsar Savalia advised not to drink tea three times:
1. Work first thing in the morning
While most of us love to start our morning with a nice cup of tea, experts advise against doing so. Consuming caffeine on an empty stomach can interfere with cortisol production in your body and make you feel anxious and unbalanced before the day even starts.
2. With food
Mixing your tea with meals or snacks may disrupt your digestion. Tea is acidic in nature and contains tannins which interfere with iron absorption when consumed immediately after meals. To get the most benefit from tea, avoid drinking it an hour before or after meals.
3. After 4:00 pm
Drinking evening tea after 4:00 pm can affect your overall health. Experts suggest avoiding tea at least 10 hours before bed to increase sleep quality, help liver detoxification, reduce cortisol levels, and promote better digestion.
Also read: Make Tandoori Tea at home in just 3 easy steps
Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
