For many individuals, ending a meal with a scorching cup of chai is greater than only a behavior: it’s a ritual. That comforting brew of black tea, milk, and spices appears like the right option to wrap up lunch or dinner. However is that this beloved follow doing extra hurt than good?
Some well being specialists warning in opposition to ingesting tea instantly after consuming, particularly on the subject of nutrient absorption. Considerations have been raised about how sure compounds in tea would possibly intervene with digestion or block the uptake of key minerals.
So, must you rethink that post-meal sip?
Ashlesha Joshi, senior nutritionist at Tone 30 Pilates, tells indianexpress.com, “Sure, it’s true that ingesting tea instantly after a meal can intervene with the absorption of sure vitamins, notably iron. Tea incorporates compounds known as tannins and polyphenols, which might bind to non-heme iron present in plant-based meals. When this binding happens, it reduces the quantity of iron your physique can soak up from the meal.”
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That is particularly related for people who have already got low iron ranges or these at increased danger of iron deficiency, similar to pregnant ladies, adolescents, or folks following vegetarian or vegan diets. Over time, ordinary consumption of tea proper after meals could contribute to decrease iron shops if not balanced with different iron-rich or iron-enhancing dietary decisions.
Are sure forms of tea which can be extra more likely to have an effect on digestion or absorption in comparison with others?
Several types of tea have various ranges of tannins and different bioactive compounds, so their results can differ. Joshi notes that black tea and inexperienced tea include vital quantities of tannins that will scale back iron absorption. Masala chai, which frequently contains black tea as its base together with spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, can nonetheless have an effect on iron absorption however the spices could present some digestive advantages that partially counteract this impact.
“Natural teas like chamomile or peppermint usually include decrease tannin ranges and are much less more likely to intervene with nutrient absorption. Nonetheless, their affect on digestion can fluctuate primarily based on particular person tolerance and the particular herbs used,” states Joshi.
How lengthy ought to one wait after a meal earlier than having tea, and are there any particular well being situations that make this extra essential?
Ideally, Joshi mentions that it’s best to “wait no less than 30 to 60 minutes after a meal earlier than having tea.” This window permits the physique to start absorbing vitamins earlier than tannins and different compounds within the tea can intervene.
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“For people with anaemia, low iron shops, or these recovering from sickness or surgical procedure, this timing turns into much more essential. Folks with gastrointestinal points similar to acid reflux disease may wish to keep away from tea instantly after consuming, because it may irritate signs.
If somebody strongly prefers tea with meals, they will think about switching to natural infusions which can be much less more likely to inhibit absorption, or pair their meals with vitamin C-rich meals, which might improve iron absorption and offset a number of the results of tannins,” concludes Joshi.
DISCLAIMER: This text is predicated on info from the general public area and/or the specialists we spoke to. All the time seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
