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03. 12. 08. - 12:00

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03. 12. 08. - 12:00

Dying for a cuppa

Scientists have warned that drinking too much of your favourite cuppa could ruin your health.

Teas are natural health remedies but can also have powerful side effects if you drink too many cups of the same brew per day, says Dr Helga Dietrich of the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, eastern Germany.

Dietrich said: "Tea can be a wonderful natural remedy but it's often drunk without a lot of thought. By drinking the same type without variety you could well be doing more harm then good."

Peppermint tea, for example, eases stomach cramps but can damage the stomach lining if it is drunk too often, says the study.

"Peppermint tea is well known for its healing effects, but no one has yet looked into the what happens if you drink too much of it," said dietary specialist from the University of Vienna Philipp Brandt.

Peppermint tea is a muscle relaxant but according to the study too much of it can be bad for you.

"If too much of it is consumed there is a risk of over-relaxing your insides which can lead to all sorts of problems," said Brant.

He added: "I have seen cases where food actually travels backwards up the digestive tract because the necessary sphincter muscles have been eased."

Dietrich advises that people are best off alternating their teas to avoid unwanted side effects: "Teas are natural treatments and all treatments have side effects if you abuse them. The safest way to enjoy tea is to drink many different varieties and not stick with one favourite type."

Vienna Times

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