Most conventional tea brands such as Lipton, Uncle Lee’s, Signal, King Cole, Tetley, and Twinings contain high levels of pesticides, and potentially fluoride. (1) We are not talking about calcium fluoride which is a natural element, but about the synthetic fluoride which is a toxic byproduct. Cheap teas are most likely to have higher levels of fluoride, thereby damaging your cells and overall health. (2)
Let’s look into how we are even aware of this in the first place.
Cheap Tea Contains Fluoride And Pesticides
Most teas are not washed before being dried, thus non-organic teas contain pesticide residues. Some tea brands (even those claimed organic or pesticide free) have been found to contain pesticides that are known carcinogens – in quantities above the US and EU limits!
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) specifically did a follow-up study back in 2014 based on the information gathered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in 2009 and 2011 during tests on pesticide residue and other dangerous substances in tea. (1) The information revealed that the levels of pesticide residue reached above legally acceptable limits in Canada.
“CBC News recently conducted an investigation on the pesticide levels in some of the most major tea-producing companies. Using an accredited lab, the investigators utilized testing methods employed by the National Food Inspection Agency to test pesticide residues on dry tea leaves.
The investigators found that over half of all teas tested had pesticide residues that were above the legally acceptable limit. Multiple chemicals were found in 8 out of 10 teas, with one brand of tea containing over 22 different types of pesticides (Uncle Lee’s Legends of China tea brand).
A large majority of these pesticides are currently being banned in several countries due to the health risks they pose to works [sic] that handle them, and the negative effects they have on the environment (as well as the health of those that consume the products).” (3)
Knowing that so many teas are potentially contaminated is highly concerning as these residues can contribute to further health risks. For example, lead – which has also been found to be in teas – has shown in studies to be present enough to appear in the bloodwork of pregnant women, indicating a risk of toxic metals not only affecting the mother but the unborn baby as well. (4) Other studies have also produced evidence of other toxic elements present in teas to be aware of and consider when consuming tea. (5)
So What Does This Mean?
So what is the solution? Should you stop drinking tea all together? Of course not! Teas can still provide you a good amount of benefits as well as comfort and/or mental stimulation, but it is highly recommended that you take care in choosing the brands of teas you want to consume.
- First of all, make sure to buy loose leaf tea and brew your tea from scratch. Bagged tea which might seem convenient and ready to go, is often made from low-quality leaves which surely contain more fluoride.
- Stick to white tea. It has the least amount of fluoride. (2)
- Buy organic tea because the methods for cultivation are more sophisticated and conscious. They might even use purified water for the soil.
We’ve just scratched the surface here, please check out Food Babe’s full report for more detailed information and a chart of which teas came out with their reputations intact – and please share with your tea-loving friends! (6)
