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Is tea slowly poisoning Britain? The damage your cuppas could be doing to your body

Seven dangerous side-effects of drinking tea that you probably had no idea about

WE'RE always being warned about the dangers of certain things we ingest.

However, few of us would ever consider we're doing ourselves much harm with our daily cups of tea.

But it turns out our favourite brewed leaves could be doing us a fair bit of damage.

Here are seven dangerous side-effects of drinking tea you may not be aware of (though it should be stressed it really only applies to those who consume it excessively)...

Caffeine Overdose

Tea doesn't seem as scary and unhealthy as coffee but it still contains large amounts of caffeine
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Tea doesn't seem as scary and unhealthy as coffee but it still contains large amounts of caffeineCredit: Getty Images

Just because tea doesn’t contain as much caffeine as coffee doesn’t mean that it is harmless.

Too much tea leads to a too large intake of caffeine, which can result in difficulty sleeping, increased heart-rate, depression, anxiety and panic attack.

Mental Disorders

Developing a dependence on tea often leads to excessive amounts being drunk, which can lead to mental disorders
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Developing a dependence on tea often leads to excessive amounts being drunk, which can lead to mental disordersCredit: Getty Images

Getting hooked on tea will likely result in an extreme intake of caffeine.

Having developed a dependence on the stimulant means you have to cut out tea completely for a while.

Cutting out something you are dependent on is a big life change which can lead to withdrawal syndromes, trouble concentrating, headaches and excessive fatigue.

Osteofluorosis

Too much tea can harm your bones
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Too much tea can harm your bonesCredit: Getty Images

Drinking too much tea can lead to painful conditions in your skeleton – potentially harming your bones permanently.

Tea contains fluoride, and too much fluoride can cause Osteofluorosis - the bone-harming disease.

Older tea leaves contain larger amounts of fluoride than younger ones, so drinking younger tea carries lower risks.

Oesophageal Cancer

Drinking tea that is too hot can lead to oesophageal cancer
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Drinking tea that is too hot can lead to oesophageal cancerCredit: Getty Images

Drinking tea that is too hot may increase your chances of developing oesophageal cancer.

Ideally you should wait at least four minutes after you’ve poured your tea before you drink it.

Worsens Your Pre-existing Conditions

Tea can worsen your pre-existing medical conditions
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Tea can worsen your pre-existing medical conditionsCredit: Getty Images

Black tea can worsen your pre-existing medical conditions such as heart problems.

Besides this, tea can act as oestrogen and is therefore additionally dangerous for those with hormone-sensitive conditions like breast cancer.

Tainted Teeth

Too much tea can stain your teeth
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Too much tea can stain your teethCredit: Getty Images

Tea can stain your teeth permanently.

You should ideally brush your teeth when you finish a cup of tea, or at least rinse with water.

Unborn Babies

Drinking tea can harm your unborn child and, if breastfeeding, can make your baby ill
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Drinking tea can harm your unborn child and, if breastfeeding, can make your baby illCredit: Getty Images

Drinking caffeinated beverages, such as black tea, can lead to miscarriages and lower birth weights.

In addition to this, women who breastfeed while drinking black tea can pass it through to the child, causing irritability and affected bowel syndrome for the baby.

 

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