The tea leaves capture cadmium ions, lead and other toxic substances from the water in which they are immersed. The more time you leave it infused, the better.
The consumption of tea could have health benefits that do not depend on those, in the past, investigated several times, of caffeine. The tea leaves seem to have a purifying effect on the water in which they are left to infuse, because they remove any traces of heavy metals from it.
Vegetable baits. A research published in the scientific journal ACS Food Science & Technology It reveals that the tea leaves attract the ions (atoms that present electric charge) of lead, cadmium, chromium and other metals from the water and then eliminates them, when we remove them from the cup or from the teapot. As already hypothesized in a small study by another scientific group, published in November 2024, The traces of metal are trapped on the tea leaves: The ancient and popular drink could therefore become a pleasant means to purify the liquids we introduce into the body.
In search of the ideal infusion. In the study, the researchers of Northwestern University in the United States tested different types of tea in leaves, dust and sachets, experimenting with different methods and infusion times in water samples containing notes of well -known concentrations of heavy metals. They then removed the tea and tested the solutions again, using some in which it had not been infused with tea as controls.
Strong and purified tea. The most important factor to obtain a very pure metals added metals It is time: the greater the one of infusion, the greater the quantities of ions removed, regardless of the concentration of heavy metals in the water. In the classic 5 minutes of infusion of the five tea, About 15% of the lead concentration is removed In the liquid in the cup, but even better results are obtained by leaving the tea in the bottle macerating for one night, with the classic recipe of cold -made cold tea.
Ground is better. Powder tea is the most effective purifier, simply because The powders increase the absorption surface in contact with water. Scientists have tested different varieties of tea (green, black, white, oolong), but in general the herbaceous tea obtained all a similar result, while the chamomile flowers do not seem to have the same purifying power.
The envelope also matters. As for tea sachets, research has given reason to those in cellulosewhich in addition to being biodegradable work better from “sponge” for metals, easily conducting them to tea they contain.
The nylon sachets, a material difficult to recycle that produces microplastics, have not had a satisfactory effect, and not even cotton effects.
Poisons from (not) drink. Exposure to heavy metals is associated with harmful effects for health: problems with kidneys and bones, neurocompatementary and development disorders, early dementia, high blood pressure, tumors. The authors point out that, if you are worried about the amount of heavy metals present in the water that is consumed, using it to make tea is not a good solution anyway. However, The study could inspire new more accessible and sustainable purification methods To remove contaminants from the water, an urgent need in many parts of the world.
