Tea Blog

If you’ve ever wondered how much tea is too much tea, you’re not alone. A quick online search turns up an endless amount of message boards and articles discussing the topic. Many people feel that such talk is pure poppycock. “The only danger that comes with drinking too much tea,” they say, “is that of running out.” Others, however, tend to disagree. They say drinking tea in excess can lead to kidney stones, brittle bones, and even urinary track infections – ouch! So what’s the truth?

Despite what gets said on the Web, in my humble opinion, drinking tea until you’ve had your fill shouldn’t be a problem. Sure, some people might get a slight tummy ache if they down one “cuppa” too many, but the same could probably be said of water, or any other beverage for that matter. It’s also important to remember that most tea, including the ever-popular Green variety, contains caffeine, which may cause some to experience feelings of nervousness or irritability when drinking it in excess. This problem can be easily remedied, though, by simply drinking Rooibos, herbal tisanes or decaffeinated tea.

That being said, let’s take a quick look at some of the things floating around the Internet about the dangers of drinking too much tea. One case involves a woman that reportedly began suffering spinal pain as a result of her instant-tea habit. According to MSNBC, the woman drank two gallons of “super-strength” instant tea each day. The tea’s high level of fluoride caused her to develop what’s known as “skeletal fluorosis,” which can cause everything from bone pain to fused vertebrae. The woman supposedly gave up the instant tea, switched to lemonade, and over time felt a decrease in her spinal pain.

First of all, can anyone tell me exactly what “super-strength” tea consists of? Whatever it is, I don’t recommend that you drink it. Stick to the good stuff, like Japanese Green Teas and Lapsang Souchong, which are two of my own personal favorites. I’m not calling anyone a liar, but I also find it hard to believe that the fluoride in this woman’s instant tea was the sole cause of her spinal pain. Couldn’t the tap water flowing from her faucet have had an extraordinarily high level of fluoride in it?

Other people say that drinking tea in excess can lead iron deficiency, gallstones, urinary tract infections and indigestion. I guess in the end each person simply has to decide for themselves whether any amount of tea is ever too much tea. If you find yourself feeling a bit queasy after three or four cuppas of English Breakfast, for instance, it may be time to stop. As for myself, my motto remains the same: when drinking tea, don’t stop ‘til you get enough!

Disclaimer: This is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your physician for your particular needs.

[Editor’s note: Our blog is chock full of great articles on this topic. Use our search feature to find them!]

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