Food Pairings To Avoid With Tea: Tea is considered a beloved beverage not only in India but also across the world. Every country has a unique tea culture and it is the most commonly consumed beverage after water and is enjoyed throughout the day by people of all age groups. There is a wide variety of tea ranging from black, green or herbal, providing several benefits like boosting metabolism, aiding digestion and others. In India, tea is often referred to as chai or masala chai and is made by brewing loose black tea leaves with milk, water, and a blend of aromatic spices such as ginger, cardamom and cinnamon. Often tea are enjoyed with snacks like pakoras/bhajiyas, samosa, namkeen, toasts and biscuits. But do you know that some food pairings with tea can cause harm to your body?
Certain food combinations with tea can interfere with digestion, block nutrient absorption and even trigger stomach discomfort without realisation. Although there are no strict rules on what food to pair or not to pair with tea, there are some common items that are found in almost every kitchen that can cause harm to the body and diminish the overall tea drinking experience. Take a look at the five everyday foods that should never be paired with tea.
Food Combinations With Tea To Avoid
Spicy Foods
Spicy foods such as curries, chilli and hot sauces may seem to be appealing with tea, but often cause digestive discomfort. Spices that contain capsaicin can irritate the stomach lining and, when combined with the acidic nature of tea, can cause heartburn, indigestion or bloating. Besides, the heat from spicy foods may also overpower the subtle flavours of tea, thus failing to recognise the delicate notes of the beverage.
Sugary Foods
Sugary delicacies like pastries, cakes and cookies are commonly consumed with tea. However, the sugar in these sweets can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, which can hinder the metabolic benefits of tea. Moreover, excessive sugar intake alongside tea can lead to an energy crash later on, thus reducing the overall experience. The combination can also be heavy on the digestive system, leading to bloating, discomfort or indigestion.
Oily And Fried Foods
Often tea is paired with fried snacks, but this combination can cause health issues and digestive problems. The foods that are high in unhealthy fats and are harder to digest cause digestive issues when consumed with tea. The fat in fried foods can slow down digestion and cause discomfort, especially when paired with tea that has a mild diuretic effect. This food pairing can also increase stomach acidity, leading to heartburn or acid reflux. Moreover, the creaminess of milk can sometimes upset the stomach, especially for people who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy.
Avoid Sugary Foods With Tea To Protect Digestive Health (Image Credits: Canva)
Dairy Products
Although tea is often made with milk, it is believed that combining tea with dairy products like milk has several disadvantages. Milk has casein protein and tea has tannins, which when combined together can cause digestive discomfort. Tannins are responsible for the astringent taste of tea and can bind to proteins in milk, reducing the absorption of antioxidants in tea.
Citrus Fruits
Never consume tea before or after eating citrus fruits. The acidic nature of citrus fruit can interact with the tannins in tea, making the flavour more astringent and bitter. Also, the citric acid in these fruits can interfere with the absorption of catechins, the antioxidants found in tea, particularly green tea. Besides, those who suffer from acid reflux or sensitive stomachs must avoid this combination.
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