In India, tea is not just a beverage, but an integral part of the daily routine of millions of people. From the beginning of the morning to the end of the evening, tea is prepared and consumed in different ways in every Indian household. You may have heard of ginger, cardamom, and basil tea, but in recent times, the trend and discussion of adding salt to tea has increased rapidly. Some people add a pinch of salt to tea to reduce its bitterness or enhance its taste, while in some regions, salty tea (like Kashmir’s Noon Chai) is traditionally consumed.
But the question arises: is it healthy to drink regular tea with salt? Doctors and health experts have revealed some surprising facts and precautions regarding this habit, which are essential for every tea lover to know.
The Scientific Reason and Practice of Adding Salt to Tea
According to health science, the taste buds on the tongue contain receptors that sense bitter and salty tastes. When you add a pinch of salt to strong tea or black tea, the sodium in the salt neutralizes the bitterness. This is why many people use salt to reduce the bitterness of unsweetened tea. Furthermore, Kashmiri Noon Chai has been consumed for centuries in the hilly and cold regions of India, and it is believed to provide warmth and electrolytes to the body.
However, doctors say that there is a significant difference between traditionally made salty tea with the right ingredients and everyday milk-sugar tea with salt on top.
Doctor’s Warning: 4 Major Disadvantages of Drinking Salt in Tea
Nephrologists, cardiologists, and dietitians believe that drinking regular tea with milk and sugar, mixed with salt, can cause many harm to your body. Doctors have warned of the following four serious health risks:
1. Risk of Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
Tea already contains caffeine, which temporarily increases blood pressure by constricting blood vessels. When you add salt to it, the sodium content increases. This combination of caffeine and sodium can prove extremely dangerous for high blood pressure patients. It increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease many times over.
2. Increased Workload on the Kidneys
The kidneys are responsible for maintaining the balance of sodium and water in our body. When you repeatedly consume salt with tea, sodium levels in the body increase. This forces the kidneys to work twice as hard to remove excess water and toxins. Doing this for a long time can lead to water retention (accumulation of water in the body), kidney stones, or kidney damage.
3. Digestive Disturbances and Acidity
The combination of milk, caffeine, and salt can disrupt the stomach’s pH level. When the milk protein (casein) and salt combine in the stomach, some people experience acidity, bloating, gas, and heartburn. Drinking salty tea on an empty stomach can also cause inflammation of the stomach lining.
4. Negative Effects on Bone Strength
Excessive sodium intake hinders calcium absorption. When sodium levels increase, calcium is excreted along with the excess sodium through urine. This gradually weakens bones and increases the risk of diseases like osteoporosis.
Can adding salt to tea ever be beneficial?
According to doctors, salt in tea is not harmful in every situation. Adding a pinch of salt in moderation may be beneficial in certain circumstances:
Replenishing electrolytes: When salt is lost from the body through sweat after exposure to extreme heat or a heavy workout, drinking a pinch of black salt or rock salt mixed with black tea or lemon tea provides the body with instant electrolytes.
Soothing sore throat and cough: A herbal tea (kadha) made with black pepper, cloves, and rock salt helps soothe throat infections and cough.
Traditional Noon Chai: Kashmiri Noon Chai is made with baking soda, special tea leaves, and milk, cooked over low heat, which helps regulate body temperature in cold weather.
Who should avoid salty tea?
Health experts advise that people suffering from certain health conditions should completely avoid adding salt to their tea:
Hypertension patients: For these people, excess salt in any form is like poison.
People with kidney and heart disease: Those who have been advised by doctors to limit sodium intake.
Pregnant women: Pregnancy increases the risk of swelling and increased blood pressure, so salty tea should be avoided.
Severe acidity or ulcer patients: Those who suffer from stomach ulcers or persistent acid reflux.
Doctor’s tips for drinking tea in a healthy way
If you are a tea lover and want to protect your health, follow these simple tips:
Don’t drink more than 2 cups of tea a day.
Change your habit of drinking tea on an empty stomach first thing in the morning; drink a glass of lukewarm water first thing in the morning.