The tea is one of the most popular stimulant drinks in Spainand There are thousands of people who drink it daily in our country. Therefore, it is worth asking what the implications of this habit may be on our health, both in the short and long term.
Tea reduces the risk of certain diseases
As remembers the Harvard University TH Chan School of Public Health on its health news portal, tea is specifically an infusion made from the plant Camellia sinensis, And contains bioactive components such as caffeine or polyphenols (flavonols, such as myricetin, quercetin or kaempferol; theaflavins in the case of black tea and catechins in green tea). It is these substances that explain their effects on people’s health.
In this sense, the evidence is generally inconclusive, but promising. For example, animal studies suggest potential health benefits, derived mainly from its high content of polyphenols (antioxidant substances).
Likewise, observational studies on human populations suggest a reduced risk of premature deathcardiovascular disease, stroke or type 2 diabetes, as stated in an umbrella review of meta-analysis on the subject published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.
A drink rich in polyphenols
To understand how tea could have protective effects for our body, we must take into account that polyphenols or flavonoids act as antioxidants and, in this way, they could avoid the damaging effects of free radicals (a type of molecule that, in turn, damages DNA).
All types of tea contain a similar amount of these compounds, although they do so in different concentrations; The evidence we have seems to suggest that all flavonoids would have positive effects on our health.
Another issue to take into account is that the addition of certain products to tea (honey, sugar, lemon juice, milk…) can alter its effects on our health, which has traditionally hindered research into the possible beneficial properties of tea.
Possible risks and complications
Regarding possible negative effects or contraindications, in addition to the addition of other products, there are three areas to monitor: the diuretic action of the tea, its caffeine content and the temperature at which we consume the infusion.
On the one hand, tea affects the way you perform the excretory function, which can have consequences for the kidneys. In this sense, there are studies that indicate that very excessive consumption of certain types of tea, especially if it contains sweeteners, could increase the risk of kidney problems in people who already suffer from certain conditions, such as obesity or kidney damage. Other works suggest the opposite, which could even be beneficial; Therefore, the most prudent recommendation is that people with kidney damage or obesity consume tea in some moderation.
On the other hand, the excessive caffeine consumption It can cause specific problems, such as nervousness or sleeping problems. If this is our case, we should reduce the intake of caffeinated drinks and foods, especially in the hours before going to sleep.
Finally, there is some evidence that consumption of beverages at very high temperatures (more than 130º) can increase the risk of suffering from certain types of cancer (such as stomach and esophageal cancer), so it is recommended to let the tea cool slightly before drinking it.
References
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. Torch. Consulted online at https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/tea on April 30, 2024.
Yi M, Wu X, Zhuang W, Xia L, Chen Y, Zhao R, Wan Q, Du L, Zhou Y. Tea Consumption and Health Outcomes: Umbrella Review of Meta‐Analyses of Observational Studies in Humans. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (2019) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201900389
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