Studies abound that tell you to do this or that, and you will be healthy. Some expect you to overcome giant odds. Other ways are simple changes in your lifestyle. This new study shows that brewing tea removes toxins, making it an easy change to your lifestyle.
What Does The Brew Do?
Scientists have found that brewing tea naturally adsorbs heavy metals like lead and cadmium, effectively filtering dangerous contaminants out of water.
The report estimates that tea preparation can reduce about 15 percent of lead in drinking water. This applies to a typical cup of tea, with the tea bag brewed for three to five minutes.
However, steeping for longer than five minutes can absorb yet more lead.
How Does This Work?
When you brew the tea, the toxic metals are drawn to and cling to the leaves. Heavy metals are absorbed on the tea leaves’ surface and stay trapped. Therefore, the metals cannot enter into your body.
Which Teas?
The varieties tested included black, green, oolong, and white, as well as chamomile and rooibos teas. Researchers also tested the differences between loose-leaf and the typical tea bags bought at the supermarket.
Finely ground tea leaves, particularly black tea leaves, removed slightly more metal ions than whole leaves. The researchers surmise this to the ground leaves’ greater surface area. They found cotton and nylon bags only absorbed small amounts of the contaminants, while cellulose bags absorbed much more. However, the researchers do not suggest that people use tea leaves as water filters.
Nonetheless, seeping tea could, over time, make for a healthier life.
