

If you notice these symptoms, reduce your tea intake or try substituting with caffeine-free herbal teas.īecause tea naturally contains caffeine, excessive intake may disrupt your sleep cycle. Overconsuming caffeine from tea may cause anxiety and restlessness. Instead, they’re made from a variety of caffeine-free ingredients, such as flowers, herbs, and fruit. Herbal teas are not considered true teas because they’re not derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. You may also consider opting for caffeine-free herbal teas. If you notice your tea habit is making you feel jittery or nervous, it could be a sign you have had too much and may want to cut back to reduce symptoms. Still, some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others and may need to limit their intake further ( 3). Research suggests that caffeine doses under 200 mg per day are unlikely to cause significant anxiety in most people. Overconsuming caffeine from tea, or any other source, may contribute to feelings of anxiety, stress, and restlessness ( 3).Īn average cup (240 ml) of tea contains about 11–61 mg of caffeine, depending on the variety and brewing method ( 4, 5).īlack teas tend to contain more caffeine than green and white varieties, and the longer you steep your tea, the higher its caffeine content ( 5). Increased anxiety, stress, and restlessness If you have low iron, drink tea between meals.Ģ.

Tannins found in tea can bind to iron in plant-based foods, reducing the amount that you’re able to absorb in your digestive tract. Doing so will make it less likely to affect your body’s ability to absorb iron from your food at mealtimes. If you have low iron but still enjoy drinking tea, consider having it between meals as an extra precaution. That said, limiting your intake to 3 or fewer cups (710 ml) per day is likely a safe range for most people ( 2). The exact amount of tannins in tea can vary considerably depending on the type and how it’s prepared. Thus, if you follow a strict vegan or vegetarian diet, you may want to pay extra close attention to how much tea you consume ( 2). Research suggests that tea tannins are more likely to hinder the absorption of iron from plant sources than from animal-based foods. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world, and if you have low iron levels, excessive tea intake may exacerbate your condition.

Tannins can bind to iron in certain foods, rendering it unavailable for absorption in your digestive tract ( 2). Tea is a rich source of a class of compounds called tannins.
