Green tea has long been considered one of the healthy drinks thanks to its high content of antioxidants. Many studies show that this type of drink can support metabolism, contribute to protecting the cardiovascular system and bring many benefits to the body. However, using green tea improperly or in excessive quantities can affect the ability to absorb some nutrients, including iron.
According to nutritionist Komal Malik - Head of Nutrition at the Asian Institute of Health Sciences (Faridabad, India), drinking a lot of green tea can increase the risk of iron deficiency in some people, especially those with low iron reserves or diets that do not provide enough of this mineral.
She said that green tea contains compounds that can hinder the absorption of non-heme iron, a type of iron abundant in plant-based foods such as beans, whole grains, green leafy vegetables and nuts. When green tea is drunk too close to meals, the amount of iron the body absorbs from food can be significantly reduced.
According to experts, this impact is not a big problem for most healthy people with a balanced diet. However, in people who are at risk of iron deficiency, maintaining the habit of drinking a lot of green tea for a long time may contribute to reducing iron reserves in the body.
However, green tea is still considered a healthy drink when used in a reasonable amount. In addition to providing beneficial antioxidants, green tea is also believed to support cardiovascular health and energy metabolism.
People who need special attention when using green tea include people with iron deficiency anemia, women with prolonged menorrhagia, people with low iron reserves and vegetarians or those who eat less iron-rich foods. These are groups at high risk of iron deficiency if the absorption of this mineral continues to be hindered.
Some common signs of iron deficiency include prolonged fatigue, pale skin, weakness, dizziness or hair loss. If these symptoms appear, people should consult medical staff for appropriate evaluation and advice.
To limit the effects of green tea on iron absorption, nutrition experts recommend drinking tea between meals instead of drinking during or immediately after meals. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid abusing green tea and maintain a diverse diet to ensure the body is provided with enough necessary nutrients.
Green tea is still a healthy drink when used in moderation. However, people at risk of iron deficiency should pay attention to the time and amount of tea consumed to avoid affecting the body's nutritional condition.
