Does tea drinking really stop you from absorbing vitamin C?
This was the most challenging question when I first posted about tea that boosts your vitamin C levels. So many people posted that Tea is not good for vitamin C and I was with them on it. Only not fully because here I was talking about herbal Tea that boosts vitamin C. So hear me out here, please
Tea, as in black fermented tea can possibly be the culprit if you are having it a lot or just after meals. I would personally request you to limit your black tea consumption to 1 cup a day and that too not straight after a nice healthy meal
Compounds in tea, particularly tannins, can bind with dietary iron, but there is limited evidence to suggest that tea consumption can significantly reduce the absorption of vitamin C in the body. However, it is still recommended to consume vitamin C-rich foods separately from tea for optimal absorption.
The tea itself is not a good source of vitamin C, but there are herbal teas that contain high levels of this nutrient. Some herbal teas that can be good sources of vitamin C include:
- Hibiscus tea: Hibiscus flowers contain high levels of vitamin C, and the tea made from these flowers has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Lemon rinds: Lemons are a fruit that is a rich source of vitamin C. Lemon tea is often consumed for its immune-boosting properties.
- Orange blossoms: While not as high in vitamin C as hibiscus or rosehip tea, orange blossoms do contain some vitamin C and are often used in tea blends for their calming and soothing properties.
It’s worth noting that herbal teas may not provide as much vitamin C as other food sources, so it’s important to also consume a variety of fruits and vegetables that are high in this nutrient.
Simply keep in mind 3 things. I love to simplify life
- Do not drink black tea straight after meals
- Drink a nice vitamin C tea with the above ingredients or a mix of all after meals or any time of the day (just not after drinking dairy as they are opposite foods)
- Make sure you eat well and exercise a bit to allow nutrition absorption
