Caffeine in tea

[ponygirl]

I love my mugs of tea, but was wondering lately if I was having too much of a good thing. Lots of friends and family recently seem to be drinking only decaffeinated tea and fruit teas and I was wondering how much difference it would make healthwise if I converted too. I drink about 6 mugs of Twining English Breakfast most days, but no coffee at all. Does that sound OK? How much tea is too much?

Also, my MIL used to drink decaf Earl grey then one day she said that she's found out how they decaffeinated it and now she wouldn't touch so has reverted to full strength or hot water. She didn't explain further: does anyone have any idea what she meant?

So, the bottom line: if I gave up caffeinated tea would it make much difference to my health? I have no health problems (that I know of!), am not ttc or bf.

Think a little bit of caffiene is fine - can't stand de-caff myself, contradiction in terms I think. There's less caffiene in a cup of tea than in a cup of coffee but more than in a can of coke apparently. 6 cups of tea a day doesn't sound a lot to me

Funny this should come up we were talking about this today in our office. There are a few girls here who drink decaf tea, and I was pleasantly suprised with how it tastes. Like you I don't drink coffee, but I only drink about 4 cups of tea each day.

I love my tea. Will follow this with interest.

Caffeine not caffiene

Any further thoughts from the evening session?

i have de-caff tea. i drink upto 10 cups a day (sometimes more). i decided to change over when i found out i was pregnant as tea was making me sick. i was headachey for a day or so, but now prefer decaff tea.

I have been drinking only decaff for about a year now, mainly becuase we are ttc. But I have to say it really doesn't taste any different at all. In fact, if I drink normal now I get a massive headache so there must be something in it that is bad for me.

If you aren't ttc and don;t have any health problems I would say it is totally down to your personal choice. Bit like eating brown bread rather than white!

could try rooibos tea - from S Africa either love it or hate it, can buy in large supermarkets or healthfood shops, only tea I drink now since 1st trying out there on hol.

I gave up tea a few years ago as part of ttc. Went on to Redbush and haven't ever gone back to ordinary tea - I think I'm better off for it and my teeth don't go that browny colour (yuk) anymore. Mind you I did used to have about 9 cups a day....

If it doesn't stop you sleeping then I don't think it's a problem. You're not having an excessive amount. I like my caffeine in the morning, but I can't have any later in the day because then I have trouble falling asleep.

i think they bleach some tea or coffee to get rid of the caffeine?

As I understand it, there are two different kinds of decaffeination process. The best decaff teas (organic or brands like Clipper) use a water/carbon dioxide mix, which leaves no chemical residue, and which retains the anti-oxidant properties of the tea. The cheaper (nastier) process is to use a solvent, which leaves chemical residues in the tea.

If you're only drinking 6 cups a day I wouldn't have thought the caffeine content was excessive.

My dh drinks gallons of it and read the other day that it helps the memory - it's supposed to help prevent a chemical building up that causes alzheimers too (I think it was from bbc news).

i recently bought a book called Caffeine Blues... haven't read it but i know it's all about the dependence on caffeine and its negative effect on health.

This is very cheeky, Velcrobott, but if you read the book could you do a quick post to let us know the grisly truth? Thank you! Or ignore me if you prefer! Thanks all for your posts - I knew I could rely on you!

I will

Thanks Velcrobott!