Tea and its eating habits
Tea is an integral part of daily life in India. From the beginning of the morning till the tiredness of the evening, a cup of tea refreshes people. But, many times people consume such food items with tea which can have a negative effect on their digestive system.
According to scientific research, caffeine, tannins and other elements present in tea can affect digestion when combined with certain foods. This can cause problems like gas, acidity, reduced absorption of nutrients and tooth sensitivity.
Tea contains mainly caffeine, tannins, polyphenols, and small amounts of fluoride. While caffeine provides instant energy to the body, tannins can sometimes reduce the absorption of iron and other minerals. Therefore, combining certain food items with tea is not considered good for health.
First let’s talk about pungent and spicy foods. Ingredients like allicin, capsaicin and sulfur compounds present in garlic, onions, green chillies, hot chutneys and heavy spices can speed up digestion and increase the production of acid in the stomach. When taken with tea, it can increase stomach irritation and acidity.
The combination of lemon and tea is also not suitable for everyone. Lemon is rich in citric acid and vitamin C, while tea contains tannins. When the two are taken together or soon after, the pH levels of the stomach may become imbalanced in some people. This may cause problems like acidity and flatulence. Experts suggest that there should be a gap of at least 20-30 minutes between consuming tea and lemon.
The combination of chocolate and tea is also not balanced for digestion. Chocolate contains theobromine, caffeine, fat and sugar, which when combined with tea can increase the calorie load. Especially eating chocolate with milk tea can cause a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. However, dark chocolate with black tea is sometimes considered a better match, but this should also be taken in limited quantities.
It is also not advisable to drink tea immediately after foods containing turmeric. Curcumin in turmeric is a powerful antioxidant, but the tannins and caffeine in tea may affect its absorption. Due to this, some people may have problem of heaviness or gas in the stomach.
Additionally, drinking cold water or consuming anything cold immediately after hot tea can be harmful for teeth and digestion. Sudden changes in temperature can cause microcracks on tooth enamel, which can increase sensitivity.
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