New Delhi, June 12 (IANS). Tea is an important part of everyday life in India. From the beginning of the morning to the tiredness of the evening, a cup of tea helps people relax. But often people eat such things with tea which have a bad effect on the body and digestive system.
According to medical science, caffeine, tannins and other active ingredients present in tea affect digestion when combined with certain foods. This is why some combinations can cause problems like stomach gas, acidity, lack of absorption of nutrients and tooth sensitivity.
Tea mainly contains caffeine, tannins, polyphenols and small amounts of fluoride. Caffeine gives instant energy to the body, but tannins sometimes reduce the absorption of iron and some minerals. This is the reason why the combination of some food items with tea is not considered good for the body.
First of all let’s talk about spicy and spicy food. Ingredients like allicin, capsaicin and sulfur compounds present in garlic, onions, green chillies, hot chutneys and heavy spices speed up digestion and can increase the production of acid in the stomach. When taken with tea, in which caffeine already affects gastric acid, the combination can increase heartburn, acidity, and heaviness.
The combination of lemon and tea is also not considered right for every person. Lemon is rich in citric acid and vitamin C, while tea contains tannins. When taken together or soon after, the pH levels of the stomach may become imbalanced in some people. This may cause problems like acidity, flatulence or mild gas. According to experts, a gap of at least 20–30 minutes should be kept between the consumption of tea and lemon.
The combination of chocolate and tea is also not considered balanced for both digestion and taste. Chocolate contains theobromine, caffeine, fat and sugar. All of these ingredients combined with tea can increase the calorie load and slow digestion in some people. Especially eating chocolate with milk tea can cause a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. Although dark chocolate with black tea is sometimes considered a better match, it is also appropriate in limited quantities.
Drinking tea immediately after eating food containing turmeric is also not considered appropriate. Curcumin present in turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory element, which helps in reducing inflammation in the body. But the tannins and caffeine present in tea can affect its absorption. This may cause some people to feel heaviness in the stomach, gas or mild discomfort. Therefore, it is better to keep a difference between turmeric and tea also.
Additionally, drinking cold water or consuming anything very cold immediately after hot tea can be harmful to both teeth and digestion. Sudden temperature changes can cause microcracks in tooth enamel, which can increase sensitivity. Additionally, sudden temperature changes also affect the digestive system, which can cause problems like gas or stomach cramps.
–IANS
PK/AS