Fact Check: Is Morning Tea Equivalent to Poison?

The Instagram post claims that morning tea is equivalent to poison. The claim is False.

Claim

The Instagram post titled "Morning tea – a ritual for some, but for me, it’s pure poison" claims that morning tea is equivalent to poison. The Instagram user podcastwale posted a reel that states, "Morning tea and poison are no different. When you have morning tea, you think, "Let’s drink tea," but at that time, you are also feeding yourself sugar and milk. Both of these feed your bad bacteria. However, if you drink warm water instead, this program will break in three days. You believe tea cleans your stomach, but tea doesn’t actually clean your stomach—it’s just a trigger."

The post has 25,031 likes and can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is False. No study has supported that morning tea is equivalent to poison. While tea may have both benefits and potential risks, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to classify morning tea as a poison.

Tea and its Types

Tea, one of the most widely consumed beverages after water, is derived from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. This plant has been cultivated for nearly 50 centuries and is now grown in over 30 countries. Annually, approximately three billion kilograms of tea are produced and consumed globally. Tea is categorized into three main types—green, black, and oolong—based on manufacturing processes.

Health Benefits of Tea

The health benefits of tea have been extensively studied, with many attributed to its polyphenol content, particularly flavonoids. Green tea is rich in catechins, while black and oolong teas contain theaflavins. These compounds are known for their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Theaflavins, which account for 2g/100g of the dried water extract of black tea, also contribute to tea’s health-promoting effects. 

Harmful Effects of Tea

Tea consumption, particularly in excessive amounts, poses several potential risks. Its caffeine content may cause nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, tremors, and tachycardia, with green tea being less caffeinated than black tea. Polyphenols in tea can reduce non-heme iron absorption, worsening anaemia. High doses of EGCG, a green tea polyphenol, have been linked to liver and gastrointestinal toxicity, particularly when consumed on an empty stomach or as concentrated supplements. Tea may also interact with medications like anticoagulants due to its vitamin K content. Prolonged tea use can lead to aluminium accumulation, increasing risks of osteomalacia and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, excessive tea consumption may contribute to gastrointestinal cancer risks when consumed at very high temperatures.

What is poison?

The term poison originates from the Latin word "potionem," meaning a drink, and the Greek word "toxicon," which translates to poison. A poison is defined as any substance harmful to the body when ingested, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin. Essentially, any substance can become poisonous if consumed in sufficient quantities.

A poison is any substance that is harmful to your body. You might swallow it, inhale it, inject it, or absorb it through your skin. Any substance can be poisonous if too much is taken. Poisons can include things such as overdoses of illegal drugs, carbon monoxide from gas appliances, household products, such as laundry powder or furniture polish, pesticides, indoor or outdoor plants, and metals such as lead and mercury. The effects of poisoning range from short-term illness to brain damage, coma, and death.

Poisoning is a significant public health issue worldwide. It can result from occupational exposure to industrial chemicals and pesticides, accidental or intentional exposure to household and pharmaceutical products, or interactions with venomous animals, toxic plants, and contaminated food. These exposures contribute to illness and mortality globally. The effects of poisoning can range from temporary illness to severe outcomes such as brain damage, coma, and death. Some poisons, like battery acid or household cleaners, cause immediate harm, while others, such as heavy metals like lead, arsenic, or mercury, may take years of exposure to manifest health problems.

Is Morning tea equivalent to poison?

No, morning tea is not equivalent to poison. Studies have outlined both the benefits and drawbacks of tea consumption, such as its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties contributing to its advantages. On the downside, tea may lead to liver and gastrointestinal toxicity, and excessive consumption at very high temperatures could increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancer. Furthermore, no studies have suggested that morning tea is equivalent to poison, nor is there scientific evidence or medical consensus to support such a claim.

No studies have determined that morning tea is considered poison, nor have they identified any specific negative effects of consuming tea in the morning. However, research has explored both the benefits and potential drawbacks of tea consumption in general.

Regarding the harmful effects of tea, a review published in Environmental Health Perspectives noted that consuming strongly brewed green tea on an empty stomach may cause stomach irritation.

Another study published in the International Journal of Cancer has concluded that consuming hot tea is significantly linked to an increased risk of esophagal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Similarly, a study published in the British Medical Journal Open Diabetes Research & Care reported that tea consumption is associated with a higher risk of glucose intolerance in a population with a high risk of diabetes.

There can be benefits assocaited with tea as well. Focusing on the beneficial effects of tea, a study featured in PLoS One found that adding sugar to tea or coffee was not significantly linked to an increased risk of mortality or developing diabetes.

Likewise, another study featured in BMC Public Health concluded that tea consumption was linked to lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a reduced risk of hypertension.

All these studies have emphasized both the positive and negative effects of tea consumption; however, none have suggested that morning tea can be equated to poison. Labelling morning tea as poison is both controversial and incorrect, as any substance can become harmful if consumed in excessive amounts or inappropriately. This does not justify calling morning tea poison—it may have harmful effects but is not inherently poisonous. Additionally, there is no consensus within the medical community to classify morning tea as a poison.

Ms Leena Martin, Chief Dietitian, Holy Family Hospital told Medical Dialogues, "Morning tea is not a poison, but the way it is prepared can impact its health benefits. Plain tea may provide the most advantages while adding milk could reduce some of its antioxidant properties but still offer comfort and certain health perks. Many cultures enhance their tea with milk, believing the combination adds flavour and nutritional value. Research backs this notion to some extent. However, other studies suggest caution."

To this Dr Vivek Kumar Singh, DNB in Internal Medicine & a DrNB in medical Gastroenterology and Hepatology added, "Dietary experts caution that morning tea, when consumed under certain conditions, can have adverse effects. Drinking tea on an empty stomach may lead to acidity, nausea, and indigestion over time, while tannins in tea can reduce iron absorption, potentially causing anaemia. However, morning tea is not a poison. Excess caffeine or sugar in tea may cause overstimulation or rapid sugar spikes, but mindful, moderate consumption can minimize these risks."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

Tea can have both positive and negative effects based on its consumption patterns. While excessive or improper intake may lead to certain risks, there is no justification for equating morning tea to poison. Such a claim is misleading and lacks credibility. When consumed in moderation, morning tea can be a comforting and enjoyable part of a balanced routine.

Hence the claim that morning tea is equivalent to poison is False.