Consuming tea bags can be a risk to your health and here we tell you why you should avoid it as soon as possible.
- A study by the Autonomous University of Barcelona has revealed that commercial tea bags release millions of plastic particles.
In the peaceful routine of preparing a cup of tea, few imagine that, by dipping a simple tea bag in hot water, you could be releasing millions of tiny plastic particles into your drink. Just one sip, and they are already inside your body. This revelation has set alarm bells ringing in both the scientific community and among conscious consumers, leading to questions about the safety of such a long-established habit.
It begs the question: should we be concerned about microplastics in tea bags?
A recent study conducted by the Mutagenesis Group of the Department of Genetics and Microbiology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has revealed a disturbing reality: commercial tea bags made from polymers such as nylon-6, polypropylene and cellulose release significant amounts of microplastics and nanoplastics during regular use. The researchers analyzed several commercially available brands and found that, when a tea bag is immersed in water at 200°F/95 °C, approximately 1.2 billion plastic particles per milliliter are released for polypropylene, 135 million for cellulose and 8.18 million for nylon-6. These particles, imperceptible to the human eye, can be ingested and absorbed by intestinal cells, even reaching the cell nucleus containing our genetic material.
The problem of consuming tea bags
The presence of microplastics in tea bags represents a double challenge. On the one hand, direct contamination of the brew with plastic particles; on the other hand, continuous and cumulative exposure to these contaminants. The plastic materials used in the manufacture of many tea bags, especially those with a pyramidal or "silk" design, are composed of polymers that, when in contact with hot water, degrade and release micro and nanoplastics. This phenomenon not only compromises the purity of the beverage, but also raises serious questions about the long-term effects on human health.
Potential health risks
The ingestion of microplastics has been the subject of numerous scientific studies seeking to understand their implications for human health. Numerous investigations have shown that these tiny particles, which enter our bodies through the food we eat and the air we breathe, can cross cellular barriers and accumulate in the blood, tissues and various organs, including the liver, kidneys and even the brain.
Some research has suggested a possible link between the presence of microplastics in the body and diseases such as intestinal inflammation, cardiovascular problems and certain types of cancer. However, these studies have limitations, so it has not been possible to establish with certainty whether microplastics are the direct cause of these health problems.
For its part, the World Health Organization has warned that exposure to microplastics in the air can damage the respiratory tract, and their presence in food could generate free radicals and inflammatory responses. Although more studies are still needed to establish a direct causal relationship between microplastic ingestion and specific diseases, the accumulated evidence suggests that minimizing exposure to these contaminants is a prudent measure to protect health.
Safer alternatives
Faced with this problem, there is a need to look for alternatives that reduce exposure to microplastics when enjoying a cup of tea. One recommended option is to opt for bulk tea, avoiding the use of tea bags, a direct source of microplastics.
For those who prefer the convenience of tea bags, it is advisable to look for products that use biodegradable and plastic-free materials, such as unbleached paper bags or those made from natural fibers to limit or reduce exposure to microplastics.
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