Insomnia and Disrupted Sleep: Tea, particularly varieties that contain caffeine like black tea, green tea, and oolong tea, can interfere with sleep patterns if consumed in large amounts or close to bedtime. Excessive caffeine intake can lead to insomnia, restlessness, and disrupted sleep.
Increased Heart Rate and Palpitations: Caffeine found in tea can stimulate the central nervous system and increase heart rate. Drinking too much tea, especially highly caffeinated varieties, may lead to palpitations, rapid heartbeat, and irregular heart rhythms, particularly in sensitive individuals.
Digestive Issues: Excessive tea consumption, especially strong or highly caffeinated varieties, can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, leading to digestive discomfort, nausea, acid reflux, and stomach upset. Tannins found in tea may also interfere with iron absorption and exacerbate symptoms of acid reflux in some individuals.
Anxiety and Nervousness: High doses of caffeine from tea can exacerbate anxiety symptoms and trigger feelings of nervousness, jitteriness, and restlessness, especially in individuals who are sensitive to caffeine or prone to anxiety disorders.
Headaches and Migraines: Excessive caffeine consumption, particularly sudden increases or withdrawal from caffeine, can trigger headaches and migraines in susceptible individuals. Caffeine withdrawal headaches may occur if regular tea drinkers abruptly reduce their intake.
Increased Blood Pressure: Caffeine can temporarily elevate blood pressure by stimulating the release of adrenaline and constricting blood vessels. Drinking too much tea, especially caffeinated varieties, may lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure, which can be problematic for individuals with hypertension or cardiovascular issues.
Dehydration: While tea is primarily composed of water, caffeinated varieties have diuretic properties that can increase urine output and contribute to fluid loss. Excessive consumption of caffeinated tea without adequate fluid intake may lead to dehydration, especially in hot weather or during physical activity.
Bone Health: Some studies suggest that excessive tea consumption, particularly black tea, may interfere with calcium absorption and potentially contribute to bone loss over time. However, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of tea on bone health.