| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| GHcool |
Posted - 12/20/2008 : 20:54:55
For years now, I've been reusing my tea bags. That is, I boil water in the morning, use a tea bag, then save the tea bag in a small cup and use the same tea bag at night. The darker tea wakes me up and the lighter tea calms me down.
When my dad heard about this, he told me that this was unhealthy and could lead to increased risk of cancer. I asked him where he learned that and he said that his wife (my stepmother) told him. My dad and my stepmother both have never been a trusted source on the subject of science, so I thought I ought to get a second opinion before discontinuing this daily routine.
Thanks in advance. |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ChocolateLady |
Posted - 12/22/2008 : 08:03:08
Common sense tells me that reusing tea bags will only increase your risk of cancer if you use artificial sweetners in your tea. Of course, it is the artificial sweetener that's the problem, and not your tea bags. Also, if you put milk in your tea before you take the bag out, I wouldn't reuse that bag since leaving it could cause the milk residue to curdle, and the second cup might give you a tummy ache.
(Of course, you can take this advice with a grain of salt. I'm just one old wife telling this tale!)
|
| w22dheartlivie |
Posted - 12/22/2008 : 04:34:27
quote:
Originally posted by thefoxboy
quote:
Originally posted by GHcool
quote:
Originally posted by Whippersnapper
My advice is that if it keeps making you violently sick then you should probably stop doing it. 
It isn't. I asked this question on two other forums I participate in and so far nobody has given me a convincing reason to stop my practice. Thanks guys. 
I heard it could be fatal if your 25th birthday falls on a Tuesday.
It depends on which Tuesday. |
| thefoxboy |
Posted - 12/22/2008 : 03:31:17
quote:
Originally posted by GHcool
quote:
Originally posted by Whippersnapper
My advice is that if it keeps making you violently sick then you should probably stop doing it.
It isn't. I asked this question on two other forums I participate in and so far nobody has given me a convincing reason to stop my practice. Thanks guys.
I heard it could be fatal if your 25th birthday falls on a Tuesday.
|
| GHcool |
Posted - 12/21/2008 : 07:19:52
quote:
Originally posted by Whippersnapper
My advice is that if it keeps making you violently sick then you should probably stop doing it.
It isn't. I asked this question on two other forums I participate in and so far nobody has given me a convincing reason to stop my practice. Thanks guys. |
| Whippersnapper. |
Posted - 12/21/2008 : 00:43:17
For it to become carcinogenic sounds like an impossibili-tea, but as others have said, there could be bacterial/fungal issues.
My advice is that if it keeps making you violently sick then you should probably stop doing it.
|
| Sean |
Posted - 12/20/2008 : 22:56:41
I really can't see how a herb that's been hydrated for half a day could suddenly turn into a carcinogen. 
The 'weaker' tea in the evening also makes sense as I believe most of the caffeine will be extracted during the first usage of the teabag, so your evening cup will be lower in caffeine - a good thing.
But, WHL has good advice about the sugar, if you're going to reuse the teabag, make sure you remove it before adding the sugar or milk to your tea in the morning. Sugar is food for all sorts of beasties to create vibrant colonies during the day, and some of these may not be healthy. |
| w22dheartlivie |
Posted - 12/20/2008 : 21:27:35
Geez, I hope not. I've not heard this, and the websites I'm finding seem to support reusing tea bags. It depends on the blend/type of tea also, as to what effects you get. Some teas contain antioxidants that help fight cancer and green tea is highly promoted for its cancer-fighting properties. For years, I've made pitchers of iced tea by just dropping in the tea bags and leaving them. I don't have cancer yet.
However... if your tea bags aren't decaffeinated and you use sugar in your tea, there is something else that can happen. This may change your mind, or maybe not. The combination of sugar and caffeine can ... if left too long ... grow bacteria which causes heartburn and stomach irritation. I have a friend who had heartburn problems and when his doctor began to try and pin down causes, my friend revealed that he would sometimes reuse his glass for a day or two for iced tea or Pepsi. The doctor told him to stop this because of the bacteria and suddenly, he no longer was spending a fortune every week to buy Zantac. |
