09/07/2020
Let's be honest, tea is the liquid form of a hug. 🤗
A big cup helps you wake up, makes you feel warm and fuzzy, and never lets you down. 💯
Do you have a habit of having tea with/after your main meals like breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Is it really recommended to have tea/coffee with/after meals? 🤔❌
❌ Tea/coffee are very rich in tannins- which interfere with the absorption of many minerals including zinc, and calcium. In some, tannins may also trigger constipation.
❌ Polyphenols present in tea inhibit iron absorption, especially in plant-derived foods. People suffering from iron-deficiency should restrict intake of tea during meals or consult their healthcare professional to prevent health complications.
❌ Increased consumption of coffee can induce insomnia. For people with stomach ulcers, caffeine present in coffee can aggrevate the condition. It can also shoot up the blood pressure and heart rate.
✅ If you wish to drink tea with or after your meals, you can choose between green tea or ginger tea as they are found to aid digestion.
✅ Here are some things you can do to enhance nutrient absorption-
• Maintain a gap of at least an hour before/after meals for having tea/coffee 💪🏻
• Increase your iron intake through foods like kalonji, turmeric, fennel seeds, garden cress seeds, sesame seeds, honey and jaggery. 💪🏻
• Vitamin C aids in iron absorption. Foods like amla, chillies, oranges, lemon, capsicum, pomegranate etc. should be included. 💪🏻
• Maintain an adequate protein intake. Indians are usually found to have low protein intakes, which may lead to various deficiencies and improper functionings in the body. Protein sources include lean chicken, eggs, milk and milk products, pulses and sprouts, etc. 💪🏻
