be careful

We call herbal tea “hot water” or “broth”, as tea is part of our daily lives, especially when the weather gets colder.

Is herbal tea harmful to health if consumed without restrictions? Can it be eaten in large quantities? What is the recommended quantity?

Nutritionist Natalie Negro begins by reminding that “the volume of fluids that adults must drink daily to determine a specific limit for a person to consume is: the minimum for a woman is 1.4 liters, while the minimum for a man is 1.7 liters. However, European Union estimates on hydration suggest that the optimal limit is two liters.” “For women and 2.5 liters for men to ensure proper hydration.”

Herbal tea: Beware of overdose

The nutritionist believes that the amount consumed depends on each type. “If we buy herbs that can be prepared directly, such as thyme and lemon balm, we must choose the dose carefully.” To know this dose, it is enough to consult a pharmacist who can determine the number of grams that you can consume daily.”

And the reason? All plants contain active ingredients, which is a very good thing, as this can help stimulate digestion and calm the body. But this also means that they all have a risk of overdose. It should be noted that our medicines consist of active plant ingredients, so if we are not careful, they can become toxic to the body.

On the other hand, if we take artificial herbal tea the risks are usually lower, and the dosage is less important. Therefore, it is preferable to diversify, just as is the case with tea made from natural plants. It is the best way to avoid excessive intake of the active ingredient.

The nutritionist sheds light on some of these types, stressing that a cup from time to time does not cause any problem, but you should avoid drinking it for a long time.

* Thyme: It is widely used due to its antiseptic properties, but if drunk in excess, it can be toxic to the liver.

* Sage: Useful against infections, antiseptic and antibacterial, but it can become neurotoxic at a certain stage.

* Queen of the Meadows plant: “It is widely used for its digestive properties, but it contains coumarin, which has an anticoagulant effect. Therefore, it is recommended to be avoided by people who take anticoagulant medications.”

Is moisturizing the body with herbal tea beneficial or harmful?

According to the nutritionist, you can hydrate yourself by drinking herbal tea. Unlike diuretics, which cause dehydration inside and outside the cells, herbal tea does not affect the water in our cells.

In contrast, coffee and tea are diuretics in high doses, which is why we recommend limiting their consumption to 3 to 4 cups per day. In fact, even if their effects are less, the nutritionist advises not to overuse herbal teas that have a “drainage” effect, which can be diuretic and contribute to dehydration if you consume them in excess.