We all drink tea fully confident that this drink is not only delicious, but also useful. However, recent studies at the University of Alberta gave scientists grounds to doubt the absolute benefits of this beverage.
Tests have shown that many types of tea contain dangerous concentrations of lead, which can harm pregnant women, nursing mothers and their babies, according to The National Post. Even in small doses, lead has a negative impact on the growing child, affecting the nervous system.
In the study, researchers tested 30 varieties of tea from China, India, and Sri Lanka. The highest concentration of lead was found in Chinese tea.
In addition, experts spoke about the time of brewing tea. The highest lead concentration was observed in the tea, which was brewed for 15 minutes.
73% of the samples brewed for 3 minutes, and 83 % of the samples infused for 15 minutes, had about 5 mg metal concentration. This figure is considered normal. However, if a woman drinks 3-4 cups of tea a day, there is a real threat .
Therefore, scientists recommend that pregnant women and nursing mothers should drink freshly brewed tea, no more than 1-2 cups a day.
