Love Sipping Hot Tea? Here Are Five Foods You Should Never Pair With This Beverage

Whether you have a headache, enjoying a house party, or taking short office breaks, a cup of piping hot tea is the perfect companion. From milk tea to black tea, this beloved beverage is enjoyed across India and loved by people of all ages. This beverage is often relished along with a variety of snacks. But there’s a catch.

While some food items are a good combination to enhance the experience of having tea, some can have a detrimental effect on your health when paired with this popular beverage.

Here is a list of foods that should always be avoided when consuming tea:

1. Citrus Fruits:While adding a slice of lemon to tea can be beneficial, consuming citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits alongside tea can lead to digestive issues. The high acidity of these fruits can disrupt the delicate flavours of tea and potentially lead to heartburn when combined with the tannins present in tea.
2. Iron-rich Foods: Iron-rich foods such as spinach, red meat, and lentils are essential for your body but pairing them with tea may not be a good idea. Tea contains tannins and oxalates, which can hinder the absorption of nonheme iron. Hence, it’s best to avoid consuming iron-rich foods with tea.
3. Spicy Food: Pairing spicy food items such as hot curries can overpower the taste of tea and exacerbate gastrointestinal discomfort. For some individuals, the tannins in tea can irritate the stomach lining, and when mixed with the capsaicin in spicy foods, it can lead to increased indigestion, stomach acidity, and heartburn.
4. Processed and Sugary Food: Another item to avoid while having tea is foods high in processed sugars and artificial additives as it can diminish the health benefits of tea. The high glycemic load of processed sugary foods can offset the stabilising effects of tea on blood sugar levels. In addition, excessive sugar intake can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity.
5. Cold Food: Pairing cold food items with hot tea may lead to several problems as the contrasting temperatures disrupt the digestive tract and potentially cause nausea.