13/01/2026
Did you know your daily cup of tea is more than just a cosy ritual? 🍵✨ It’s actually packed with polyphenols - natural plant compounds with antioxidant properties that help protect your cells from oxidative stress and support long-term health.
One of the main polyphenols in tea are tannins. These give black tea its bold, slightly bitter flavour and contribute to its antioxidant effects. However, they can also reduce the absorption of plant-based iron, so if you rely on foods like lentils, beans, spinach or fortified cereals for iron, it’s best to avoid drinking tea with those meals and wait an hour or two instead. ⏰
Black and green tea also contain caffeine - around 30–50mg per cup, depending on how strong you brew it. For most healthy adults, up to 400mg of caffeine per day is considered safe, but many people feel jittery, anxious or struggle with sleep well before that. I usually suggest switching to decaf or herbal / fruit teas after early–mid afternoon, as caffeine can stay in your system for 6-8 hours and may interfere with sleep, even if you don’t feel “wired.”
What’s the difference between black & green tea? They both come from the same plant 🌱, but are processed differently. Black tea is oxidised, giving it a stronger flavour and higher tannin (and also caffeine) content, while green tea is gently steamed or pan-fired, which helps preserve catechins - another type of polyphenol that’s been widely studied for heart and metabolic health. 🖤💚
So yes - your daily cups of tea really can do more than warm your hands. They can be part of a healthy routine, especially when enjoyed mindfully.
What’s your favourite brew? ☕🍃
I’ll add my fave in the comments ⤵️
