Sunday, 24 March,2024
McCreadie Andias
We all love that hot cup of tea or coffee in the morning before stepping out for work or school and maybe another cup in the afternoon as you read your favorite novel or while beating the evening cold.
As sweet as it is, many would not want to agree that your favorite cup of tea could pose some life threatening health complications in your life.
Before you riot on this shocking fact, you might want to sit back and listen to this. Atleast every cup of tea or coffee has sugar and caffeine which are key ingredients that complete the full enjoyment of the tea. But these two could be dangerous. Here’s how.
Caffeine, Probably one of the most socially acceptable addictions, whether you believe it or not, caffeine is one of the most popular drugs. Found in sodas, coffee, diet supplements and other goods, caffeine provides a great pick-me-up.
Caffeine can also be a great aid for workouts and can help protect the brain from the effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. While caffeine in tea can provide a temporary energy boost, relying on caffeine regularly can lead to dependency and tolerance which we’d rather call addiction .
Over time, individuals may find themselves needing higher doses of caffeine to achieve the same effects, leading to potential energy crashes and withdrawal symptoms when caffeine intake is reduced.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can interfere with sleep quality and quantity, especially if consumed later in the day. Regular consumption of caffeinated tea close to bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or poor sleep quality, which can have a negative impact on overall health and well-being.
There has been surging cases of Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure resulting from excessive use of Caffeine, especially in sensitive individuals . Prolonged elevation of heart rate and blood pressure can put strain on the cardiovascular system and increase the risk of heart problems over time.Meanwhile, Caffeine works by making us feel less tired by blocking the effects of adenosine which is associated with feeling sleeping and by releasing adrenaline(epinephrine) which gives it it’s stimulating feeling.
Caffeine also releases dopamine which makes us feel good.Due to its stimulating effect and effects on the dopamine related reward circuitry in the brain caffeine can be overused and abused.
Caffeine dependency can be hard to break which you might already know if you’ve ever experienced the effects of trying to quit caffeine cold turkey.Excessive caffeine intake can also interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients, such as calcium and iron, further exacerbating nutrient imbalances.
Apart from caffeine, Sugar consumption could be a bigger deal to our general wellbeing as much as a cup of tea without sugar is tasteless and boring. Perhaps it could be the best option for our healths.
Sugar seems like a harmless substance. We put it in our coffee, on our desserts, and in other sweets. In moderation, sugar as can be enjoyable and a nice occasional treat.
However, sugar can have serious health consequences if overconsumed.Overdoing sugars over long periods of time can result in an increased risk of diabetes, obesity and the formation of certain cancers.
Additionally, blood sugar spikes can create emotional highs and lows that lower impulse control that can lead to overindulgence.
Sugar can be extremely addictive. Sugar acts on the brain’s dopamine receptors in the same manner as cocaine. The tongue features two sweet receptors that are extremely sensitive. As a result, they send intensely pleasurable signals to the brain’s reward center.
Sugar is high in calories and can contribute to weight gain if consumed excessively. Regularly adding sugar to tea can increase daily calorie intake, leading to an imbalance between calories consumed and calories burned, ultimately resulting in weight gain but also consuming sugary tea regularly may displace more nutrient-dense beverages or foods from the diet, leading to potential nutrient deficiencies.
Excessive sugar intake, especially in the form of added sugars, can lead to insulin resistance and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Consistently high blood sugar levels can strain the body’s ability to produce insulin, leading to long-term health complications.
Furthermore, Sugar consumption is a major contributing factor to dental cavities and tooth decay. The bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar, producing acids that erode tooth enamel over time. Daily consumption of sugary tea without proper oral hygiene can lead to dental issues such as cavities and gum disease.
In yet another perspective, sugar and caffeine could not be the only problem. Most people preffer hot tea to cold or warm tea and that could be a serious problem to our health. Daily intake of a cup of hot tea Increased with temperatures above 149°F (65°C) has been linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer. The repeated exposure of the esophagus to hot temperatures may damage the lining over time, increasing the likelihood of developing cancerous cells and this might turn out to be a ‘cup of cancer’Drinking excessively hot tea can cause thermal burns to the mouth, throat, and esophagus. These burns can be painful and may lead to tissue damage, inflammation, and difficulty swallowing.
By least, Sipping hot tea can weaken tooth enamel and increase tooth sensitivity over time. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can also lead to dental erosion, decay, and potentially contribute to oral health issues such as cavities and gum disease.
Agreeing that tea is good for our rest or warmth but the watching out the excesses of what we use in our tea could save us from severe health complications.
By McCreadie Andias
