Side Effects of Tea-Coffee: How dangerous is it to drink tea-coffee before and after meals? ICMR has given a list of dangers

Many people have a habit of drinking tea before or after meals. But this habit can be harmful for health. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently released a set of 17 dietary guidelines for Indians and commented on it.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently released a set of 17 dietary guidelines for Indians. It talks about a balanced and varied diet as well as healthy living. In one of these guidelines, a medical panel from the research wing of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has clarified that the consumption of tea and coffee should be limited. 

Many people in India like to drink tea or coffee as a hot beverage. Meanwhile, ICMR has warned people against consuming tea, coffee before or after meals. ICMR researchers say that "tea and coffee contain caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system and induces physical dependence."

ICMR has not asked people to stop drinking tea or coffee completely. But it is advisable to be cautious about the caffeine in these beverages. A cup of coffee (150 ml) contains 80-120 mg of caffeine, instant coffee contains 50-65 mg and tea contains 30-65 mg of caffeine.

It states, "It is advisable to avoid excessive consumption of tea and coffee so that caffeine intake does not exceed the tolerable limit (300 mg/day)." It is recommended that every individual should set a limit on how much caffeine they should consume. 

When is drinking too much tea and coffee dangerous?

He recommends not to consume tea or coffee an hour before and after meals because these beverages contain a compound called tannin. When consumed, tannin can interfere with the absorption of iron in the body. This means that tannin can reduce the amount of iron your body absorbs from food.

Absorption of iron in the body will stop

Tannins can block iron in the digestive tract, making it difficult for the body to absorb it. This reduces the amount of iron that enters the bloodstream from the food you eat. This reduces the availability of iron to the body. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

It is also important for energy production and overall cell function. Low iron levels can lead to conditions such as iron deficiency and anemia.

Apart from this, ICMR researchers have reported that drinking tea without milk has health benefits like increasing blood circulation. It also helps in reducing the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stomach cancer. On the other hand, excessive coffee consumption is associated with high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat.

(Disclaimer: Our article is for informational purposes only. Always consult an expert for more information.)