With the country on lockdown due to coronavirus, many Brits are surviving working from home by making frequent trips to the kettle. But ...
With the country on lockdown due to coronavirus, many Brits are surviving working from home by making frequent trips to the kettle.
But an expert has warned that drinking too much tea could have a negative impact on your health.
Dr Grace Farhat, a lecturer in food science and nutrition at Liverpool Hope University, is concerned some people might treat their Covid-19 social shutdown as an 'holiday' from regular diets - and overindulge in hot caffeinated beverages.
She warns naturally-occurring tannins found in tea could actually hamper the body's absorption of key vitamins and minerals such as iron and calcium – which could be a real problem if you're struggling to get enough fruit and vegetables in your diet.
An expert has warned that drinking too much tea could have a negative impact on your health. Pictured: stock image
Dr Farhat advises avoiding drinking tea close to meal times. She told FEMAIL: 'Millions of Brits might be tempted to consume too many hot beverages while marooned in their homes amidst the coronavirus lock-down.
'The good news is that tea consumption is linked to a decrease in the risk of heart disease and cancer, due to its antioxidant content.
'The potentially bad news is you also need to be careful about drinking tea close to meal times, as it could lower the absorption of certain minerals, such as iron and calcium.
'This is due to the tannins, which are natural compounds, found in tea. They can bind to minerals and lower absorption rates.
'Tea, like coffee, is also a source of caffeine, which I'd advise consuming in moderation.'
To be on the safe side and based on previous studies, Dr Farhat advises limiting your intake to four to five cups of tea and coffee a day.
'This should carry no health risks so try not to consume more than that,' she said. 'And leaving a one-hour gap between meals and hot drinks is a good way forward.'
Caffeine is also found in fizzy drinks, energy drinks and chocolate.
The coronavirus isolation plan has now entered its fifth week – with no immediate signs of restrictions being lifted.
Dr Farhat warned a poor diet during this period is potentially enough time to have lasting effects on our health.
She added: 'Coronavirus is, hopefully, a problem which can be managed in the short term.
'But while your diet might not be your chief concern right now, we need to be mindful about what we're eating and drinking.
'Britain has long been facing a diabetes and obesity epidemic - and we don't want to exacerbate it.'
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