The recently released dietary guidelines for Indians say the drink that has gone global from the Indian subcontinent, is best had without milk
No tea/coffee with meals, minimum tea coffee for pregnant women, no tea with iron supplements – the humble every day drink that has travelled the world largely from the Indian subcontinent has received multiple thumbs down from the recently released dietary guidelines for Indians. It has been put together by the Indian Council of Medical Research through the National Institute of Nutrition. If the one has to get the best out of the tea one drink, it is necessary to shun milk, the document says.
The guidelines lay down that tea has a tendency to bind with iron and thereby limit physiological availability of that mineral. That is why it needs to be avoided by any person who is on iron and folic acid supplements. IFA supplements are commonly prescribed for pregnant women and also for anaemic women. 57% Indian women and 25% Indian men in the 15-49 years age group are anaemic, says the National Family Health Survey 5 conducted between 2019 and 2021.
What is it about the every day drink that has not gone down well with India’s apex health research organisation? “Tea and coffee contain caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system and induces physiological dependence. A cup (150ml) of brewed coffee contains 80–120mg of caffeine, instant coffee contains 50–65mg and tea contains 30–65mg of caffeine. Moderation in tea and coffee consumption is advised so that caffeine intake does not exceed the tolerable limits (300mg/day). Tannin is also present in tea and coffee and is known to interfere with iron absorption. Hence, tea and coffee should be avoided at least for one hour before and after meals,” explains the report. It goes on to add that tea (green or black) also contains theobromine and theophylline, which are known to relax arteries and thereby promote blood circulation. They also contain flavonoids and other antioxidant polyphenols, which may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stomach cancer. These benefits can be best obtained if milk is not added to tea and if it is taken in moderation.
The red flags about tea also include the risk of adulteration. “The different classes of adulterants include non-permitted colors like metanil yellow; non-edible oils like castor oil; extraneous matter like husk, sand and sawdust in spices; and metal contaminants like aluminum foil on sweets or iron filings in tea,” read the guidelines.
