Heavy metals like lead and cadmium can be harmful to health, causing chronic problems and severe damage in high doses. However, a new study suggests that brewing tea can act as a natural filter to remove these contaminants from drinking water.
Researchers from Northwestern University in the United States tested various types of tea, including green, black, oolong, white, chamomile, and rooibos. They used water with known amounts of lead, chromium, copper, zinc, and cadmium, and evaluated how much of these metals were absorbed by the tea leaves at different steeping times.
The study found that brewing a typical cup of tea can remove about 15% of lead from water. This effect is enhanced by longer steeping times and the use of tea bags made from cellulose, which are more effective than those made from cotton or nylon.
According to Benjamin Shindel, the study’s lead author, “Tea leaves have a high active surface area, which makes them good at releasing flavor chemicals and absorbing metals.” He noted that tea is the most consumed beverage globally, making it a practical solution for reducing exposure to heavy metals.
The transformation of tea leaves, especially in black tea, increases their ability to bind with substances. Grinding the leaves also amplifies this effect by increasing the surface area available to capture metals.
Shindel emphasized that while tea is not a replacement for conventional water filters, it could contribute to reduced heavy metal exposure over time. “If people drink an extra cup of tea daily, we might see declines in illnesses linked to heavy metal exposure,” he said.
This discovery adds to the known health benefits of tea, which include enhanced cardiovascular health and protection against neurodegenerative diseases.
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