Benefits and Side Effects of Drinking Fresh Tea Regularly

It seems as if it has become a routine ritual for most people when breakfast, lunch or dinner is accompanied by tea. Moreover, even if you eat at a food stall, restaurant or restaurant, various types of tea are often offered, such as plain tea, sweet iced tea, lemon tea and so on.

Tea has become so pervasive in the daily lives of the general public, even though it tastes bitter and less enjoyable for some people. And there are lots of tea products sold in supermarkets ranging from ready-to-brew sachets, fine powder, or packages of dried tea leaves. So, many people often ask, is it safe to consume tea every day?

There is research from University College London and the University of Leeds which shows that plain tea can be a healthier drink than tea with added sugar, because the added sugar will actually contribute additional calories to the body and in the end will have an impact on weight gain and the risk of disease. Type II Diabetes Mellitus. So consuming tea without sugar, apart from reducing daily calorie intake, can also prevent the risk of inflammation in the body because tea contains antioxidant compounds which have anti-inflammatory properties.

The impact of consuming plain tea regularly

There are several benefits and side effects of consuming tea regularly, including:

1. Contributes to maintaining blood pressure

The flavonoid content in tea provides benefits for maintaining heart health, including reducing blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. And it's best to avoid adding sugar to tea to reduce the risk of rising blood sugar levels which will lead to increased body weight (obesity) and increase the risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus.

2. Has the potential to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

According to data from the Advances in Nutrition Study in 2020, drinking tea regularly and in moderation may have a protective effect on several types of cancer, especially oral cancer. This is because the polyphenol content of tea has antioxidant properties which can absorb free radicals, which contribute to the development of cancer cells and can suppress the growth of cancer cells.

3. Increase Concentration and Alertness

Like green tea, it contains L-theanine and an amino acid that has been shown to impact brain health. According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Foot, L-theanine found in tea plays a role in increasing concentration which in turn can improve memory. And it can also help increase certain brain waves that improve cognition/alertness function.

4. Increases immune power

From a review in Frontiers in Immunology in 2010, the benefits of increasing the body's immune power can be obtained from black tea and green tea which are rich in polyphenols.

5. Increases longevity

According to a 2022 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine that evaluated half a million tea drinkers in the UK, showing higher black tea intake was associated with a 13% reduced risk of death from any cause compared with non-tea drinkers. It is also associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke.

The following are the side effects of consuming tea regularly, including:

1. Causes stains and crust on teeth

Drinking plain tea regularly and excessively can cause teeth to become stained and turn yellow. Some experts recommend preventing yellow teeth from drinking tea regularly by adding milk to your tea drink.

2. Experiencing sleep disturbances

Plain tea has quite a high caffeine content, especially if you drink it close to bedtime, it can cause you to wake up at night and not sleep well.

3. Inhibits iron absorption

In general, tea, including black and green tea, contains natural compounds called tannins and oxalates, these compounds can influence the body to absorb iron, which is an important mineral for making protein (hemoglobin) which functions to carry oxygen in the blood. Which in the end can cause a decrease in hemoglobin, causing a disease called anemia. If you suffer from anemia due to low hemoglobin, your doctor will usually recommend reducing your consumption of tea and coffee.

If you have complaints regarding your habit of drinking tea regularly, immediately consult your doctor to get faster and more appropriate treatment.