Tea has many potential health benefits, but drinking too much can cause side effects.
Tea is a drink made by steeping the leaves, buds, or stems of the Camellia sinuses plant in hot water. It comes in many varieties, such as black, green, white, oolong, and herbal teas, each providing unique flavors and health benefits. This beverage is recognized for its antioxidants and may help with heart health, weight management, and increased mental alertness. However, drinking too much can result in negative effects, like caffeine-related problems or digestive issues.
Even small amounts of regular tea intake could contribute to caffeine dependence. Withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, irritability, and headaches.
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
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
Some tea leaves naturally contain caffeine, like black and green tea. Overconsuming caffeine from tea, or any other source, may contribute to feelings of anxiety, stress, and restlessness
Black teas tend to contain more caffeine than green and white varieties, and the longer you steep your tea, the higher its caffeine content
If you notice your tea habit is making you feel jittery or nervous, it could be a sign you have had too much and may want to cut back to reduce symptoms.
You may also consider opting for caffeine-free herbal teas. Herbal teas are not considered true teas because they’re not derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead, they’re made from a variety of caffeine-free ingredients, such as flowers, herbs, and fruit.
some tea naturally contains caffeine, excessive intake may disrupt your sleep cycle.
Melatonin is a hormone that signals your brain that it’s time to sleep. Some research suggests that caffeine may inhibit melatonin production, resulting in poor sleep quality .
Inadequate sleep is linked to a variety of mental issues, including fatigue, impaired memory, and reduced attention span. What’s more, chronic sleep deprivation is associated with an increased risk of obesity and poor blood sugar control .
Certain compounds in tea may cause nausea, especially when consumed in large quantities or on an empty stomach.
Tannins in tea leaves are responsible for the bitter, dry taste of tea.
The caffeine in tea may cause heartburn or aggravate preexisting acid reflux symptoms.
Research suggests that caffeine can relax the sphincter that separates your esophagus from your stomach, allowing acidic stomach contents to more easily flow into the esophagus
Exposure to high levels of caffeine from beverages like tea during pregnancy may increase your risk of complications, such as miscarriage and low infant birth weight.
Data on the dangers of caffeine during pregnancy is mixed, and it’s still unclear exactly how much is safe. However, most research indicates that the risk of complications remains relatively low if you keep your daily caffeine intake under 200–300 mg.
Intermittent caffeine intake may help relieve certain types of headaches. However, when used chronically, the opposite effect can occur .
Routine consumption of caffeine from tea may contribute to recurrent headaches.
Although feeling light-headed or dizzy is a less common side effect, it could be due to drinking too much caffeine from tea.
Generally, it’s not recommended to consume that much tea in one sitting. If you notice that you often feel dizzy after drinking tea, opt for lower caffeine versions or consult your healthcare provider.
Caffeine is a habit-forming stimulant, and regular intake from tea or any other source could lead to dependence.
Symptoms of caffeine withdrawal may include headache, irritability, increased heart rate, and fatigue.