Sweet Tea has become one of the most popular beverages consumed in America, and it's not difficult to see why. The sweet, refreshing taste is a perfect accompaniment to hot summer days. But like everything that brings us joy, there are questions that need answering - mainly pertaining to its risk factors on our overall health.
Whether you like your tea over ice or piping hot, we have delved deep into this question so you don't have to take it lying down (or sitting). In this article, we will be providing answers regarding whether sweet tea consumption can lead to any adverse effects on our body.
No Rush Here!
Now before diving head-first into these potentially bitter waters (metaphorically speaking) let us first calm ourselves with some knowledge:
- Types of tea made from plant Camellia Sinensis
- Green
- Black
- Herbal teas made out of flowers, seeds and leaves other than Camellia Sinensis e.g:
- Chamomile
- Peppermint
For those individuals who prefer traditional "tea", sweet tea is likely more familiar as black or green when referred by colour.
Black freshly brewed Iced-teas get their dark hue from oxidation done after they're harvested which also gives them depth of flavour while green iced-tea prepared using unoxidized leaves delivers fresher nuances.
So what about 'sweet' part of it all? While fruits like sugar cane provide authentic sweetness without additional sugar requiring processes making its manufacturing eco-friendlier than white crystalline sheen particles otherwise known as table-sugar; needless-to-say, refraining from adding extra sugar altogether does promise improvement in sleep patterns apart from avoiding blood glucose fluctuations linked with diabetes risk factors according enough meta-analysis studies since clarity equates facts!
Sweet Bitterness!
Although there are a number of benefits to drinking tea, there can be too much of a good thing. Here are some things you might want to consider:
Calories
While tea is low in calories it certainly isn't calorie-free, especially when sugar is added into the equation. Sweet Tea contains an average range of 90-100calories per cup with approximately 23g carbohydrates out of which around all would be derived from added sugars according to USDA Nutrient Database.
So like Mama always said "ALL THINGS IN MODERATION" irrespective-of whether or not we actually listen. (Sorry Mama)
Caffeine
Another issue that needs addressing is caffeine content: while slightly lesser than its caffeinated sodas counterpart (~47mg/cup compared w/ ~40mg/can) but higher than green-tea; it does hold potential negative effects if taken excessively and close by bedtime potentially causing sleeplessness! People's sensitivity thresholds do differ wide expanses as well on caffeine intake front due-to genes determining caffeine metabolism speed kinda being uncontrollable by humans... Unfortunately!
Extra Poundage
Finally, sweet tea consumption may lead to weight gain-related issues over time where additional 'empty' calories store themselves away in the form of visceral fat - giving rise to adiposity (I.E: Obesity). Moreover preliminary research suggests additional links towards dental degeneration due-to high sugar content exposure causing plaque & cavities accumulation making teeth prone for wear-&-tear alterations; Not Cool!
To Drink or Not To Drink?
At this juncture one cannot rule-one-way or another (or really anywhere); although statistical factoids available at CDC website suggest about third population within US met sugary drinks handling excess issues during survey years between primarily acknowledged risk factors ranging from physical activity restrictions and disruption to gut-microbiome induced obesity risks overall alarming audience requiring heartfelt empathies.
As so much about this topic remains unclear, it will still need more research to obtain a complete and thorough understanding. However, we can consider that as long as everything is in moderation, there should be no harm indulging yourself with some good ol’ southern sweet tea every once in a while! After all - It's best drank slow savoring-on nuances slowly allowing transcendence of previous ailment avenues for the time given.
Conclusion
When researching whether sweet tea is bad for your health ultimately ends up being subjective. In some cases yes,some no but continually reevaluated on scientific paper results released & independent interpretation analysis done by experienced biostats experts then adjusted recommendations are made via Health Department advisories at regular intervals-and so-sweet-tea enthusiasts await nervously hoping its verdicts holds defense fort down providing people loving cultural aspect something held dear according authentic family recipes intact carried-one from generations after-all isn’t??
IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO BALANCE AS REMEMBERED QUIRKY STAN LEE SAID 'EXCESS CHEESE AND PEPPERONI MIGHT MAKE A BAD PIZZA' AND LIFE-STYLE CHANGES MADE GRADUALLY HELPS INTERNAL ALTERATIONS NATURALLY WHICH CAN BENEFICIAL IN LONGER RUN!
So go ahead :: have that glass of iced Sweet Tea , just make sure you take everything into consideration and remember the power lies in your hands (Or your tastebuds?)
CHEERS!