Earlier this year, a US scientist sparked a huge transatlantic debate on the topic of tea. In his book Sharp: The Chemistry of TeaBryn Mawr College chemistry professor Michelle Francl, PhD, claimed that a pinch of salt is the key to a perfect cup of tea. Dr. Francl, who invested three years of research and testing for his book, wrote that the bitterness of the tea is reduced by adding a pinch of salt, because the sodium ions in the salt block the bitter receptors in our mouth.”
The claim sparked so much controversy that the US Embassy in London eventually felt the need to intervene. I social media post, he declared “good people of the United Kingdom that the unthinkable concept of adding salt to Britain’s national drink is not official US policy,” adding, “Let us unite in our fierce solidarity and show the world that when six to tea, we stand as one. The US Embassy will continue to make tea the right way – by microwaving it.”
Although that last statement was a joke, there is one brewing mistake that can have health consequences: water that is too hot. Not only does boiling water scald delicate tea leaves, leaving them with a bitter taste, but multiple studies have also linked drinking hot tea and esophageal cancer. According to the authors of one such study, people who drank more than 700 milliliters (or two large cups) of tea per day at a temperature above 140 degrees F had a 90 percent higher risk of developing esophageal cancer than people who drank less tea and at cooler temperatures. So if you drink a lot of tea, or if you have other risk factors for esophageal cancer, you may want to brew cold, or use lower temperature water.
Brewing methods aside, salt is just one of the unconventional things people add to tea, whether they’re hoping to enhance its flavor or add health benefits. We asked some experts to weigh in on some of those options, and here are the results.
1. Best: Mint
“I simply love the eye-opening aroma it provides,” says Jackie Newgent, RDN, chef, nutritionist and author The Plant Diabetes Cookbook. Fresh peppermint has been shown to relieve digestive discomfort in those with irritable bowel syndrome. Other research has found that the menthol in mint has a calming effect that can help reduce stress.
2. Worst: Salt
While salt may come off in terms of bitterness, from a health perspective, Newgent doesn’t recommend even a pinch. “Since Americans already get too much sodium — 3,400 milligrams (mg) instead of less than 2,300 mg per day — I don’t recommend adding salt to tea,” she says.
Besides, there are better ways to balance bitterness. “Anything sweet, including fruit, will do the trick,” she says.
3. Best: Fruits
The sweetness of fruit is far from its only benefit. Infusing tea with fruit will also add fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. “All fruits will pack an antioxidant punch, especially when they’re in season and at their peak ripeness, nutritional value and flavor,” says Newgent. Her favorites are wild blueberries with black tea, peaches with white tea, and mango with green tea.
4. Worst: Sweeteners
Americans overdo the sweet stuff as it is, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that adult men consume, on average, 19 teaspoons (CTA) of added sugars per day and adult women 15 CTA. Excessive consumption of sugary drinks is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, so it makes sense to limit sugar whenever possible. Artificial sweeteners are also controversial, especially when it comes to weight loss.
4. Best: Citrus Juice or Peels
Orange or lemon peel and juice not only enhance the taste of the tea but also have potential health benefits. “Lemon juice with a cup of tea will provide vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties,” explains Keri Gans, RDN, a New York City nutrition consultant and author The Little Change Diet.
Likewise, citrus peels will provide “polyphenols, vitamin C, and a pleasant aroma,” says Newgent. There is even research linking citrus fruit intake to a reduced risk of lung cancer and neurological benefits thanks to citrus flavonoids.
5. Worst: Essential Oils
You may see advice on social media about adding these flavored oils to tea or food. Essential oils are extracted from plants, but not all are safe to ingest. You must be sure that what you are using is food grade. Even then, it’s easy to overdo it as essential oils can be very powerful. “Although very limited use of essential oils, such as peppermint or lavender, can be pleasant, I generally recommend against using them in hot tea since essential oils are very concentrated,” says Newgent, and his Use in food is regulated equally strictly by the. US Food and Drug Administration as other ingredients. Also, because they are fat soluble, essential oils are best mixed with foods or drinks that contain some fat, instead of a water-based drink like tea.
6. Best: Milk
Although taking tea with milk isn’t as popular in the United States as it is across the pond, adding dairy to your brew has some health benefits. In addition to cutting the bitterness of tea, milk can reduce the effects of tea staining on teeth, according to one study. As Gans says, “Adding milk to your tea can provide healthy bone calcium and muscle protein.”
But according to Francl, timing is important. She recommends adding the milk to the tea and not the other way around to prevent curdling. And, consider a heavier pour, says Gans. “I would recommend more than a flash to reap real benefits.”
7. Worst: Microplastics
Okay, so no one is adding microscopic bits of non-biodegradable chemicals to their tea, but you could be doing so unwittingly. How? A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that some brands of packaged tea bags actually break down in hot water, and can release more than 11 billion particles into a single cup. Research continues to find negative health effects associated with ingesting microplastics, including a greatly increased risk of cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks and strokes. “Since there is growing concern about the potential health concerns of microplastics found in tea bags, consider switching to using loose tea leaves,” advises Newgent. Or if you prefer to use tea bags, stick with those that don’t contain plastic, such as Pukka, Numi Teas, or Republic of Tea.
8. Best: Ginger
Ginger tea is a popular digestive aid. Even if you don’t have a bag of ginger tea, adding some ginger powder, extract, or fresh ginger to any cup of tea will have similar benefits. “Sip on ginger-infused tea to ease GI issues,” says Newgent. “Ginger also provides anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic properties.” And, if you’re nauseated, a cup of ginger-infused tea can help calm you down. “In addition to being delicious, soaking ginger in your tea can act as a digestive aid that can help improve nausea, upset stomach, vomiting or motion sickness,” agrees Gans.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNoPrivacy policy
by 