A cup of ‘kadak chai’ has been the hallmark of Indian hospitality. Homes across the country wake up with the fragrance of a fresh cup of tea that rejuvenates their soul and gets them ready to face anything ahead. Chai fuels people through the day, with many not limiting the drink to a cup or two and consuming 12-13 cups instead. Recently, Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav‘s habit of consuming 12-13 cups of tea daily brought an important conversation to the forefront: When does a fulfilling ritual become a health risk?Recently, the actor’s wife Radha Yadav revealed in an interview that he suppresses his hunger cravings by drinking 12-13 cups of tea daily. “Ye bhookh maarte hein chai se. I think 12-13 cup ho jaate hein daily. Daily humara conversation hota hai ghar par jab ye kehte hein ki main chai chorh raha hun,” she shared. What many remain unaware of is that replacing tea with meals can have numerous adverse effects on your health in the long term. Here’s why it is a dangerous habit for numerous reasons:
- Nutrient deficiencies: Tea contains tannins that bind to vital minerals like iron and calcium, preventing the body from absorbing them. Thus, while your stomach might feel full for a short time, your body is actually starving for real nutrition.
- Disrupts metabolic function: Drinking 12-13 cups of tea per day disrupts the body’s natural metabolic rhythm. It might reduce your appetite for some time, but it lacks the macronutrients such as protein, fats and carbohydrates required for sustained energy and a healthy metabolic rate.
- Digestive distress: Excessive tea consumption on an empty stomach increases gastric acid production. A study published in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN revealed that excessive tea consumption was linked to an elevated susceptibility to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux. Moreover, the astringent nature of tannins in the tea can also lead to nausea or stomachache.
- Dehydration and kidney strain: While tea provides liquid, its high caffeine content causes the body to flush out more water than it retains. This puts unnecessary pressure on the kidneys and can lead to electrolyte imbalances.
- Disturbed sleep and anxiety cycles: Some tea leaves such as black and green tea naturally contain caffeine, which, according to the National Library of Medicine can contribute to anxiety, stress and restlessness. Moreover, caffeine may inhibit melatonin production and result in low-quality, disturbed sleep. This creates a cycle of poor sleep, which the drinker tries to “fix” with even more tea.
What your chai cravings might actually mean?
If you find yourself reaching for a 10th or 12th cup, it might not be a love for tea at all. It could be your body signalling deeper issues:
- Chronic fatigue: You may be using tea as a crutch for poor-quality sleep or a high-stress lifestyle.
- Sugar dependency: If you prefer highly sweet tea, your “chai craving” might actually be a disguised sugar addiction or a response to crashing blood glucose levels.
- Emotional stress: For many, the act of holding a warm cup is a “comfort anchor.” You may be seeking a psychological break rather than the beverage itself.
Find the middle ground
Drinking tea is not unhealthy. Rather, the beverage is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that are beneficial for health. However, after 3-4 cups, the risks begin to outweigh the rewards. Thus, it is better to limit your intake, not swap it with meals and avoid it before bedtime. Balance is the key to ensuring your favourite habit doesn’t become a health liability.
