Does tea contain tannins?
No. Polyphenols fall into one of two groups – flavonoids and tannins. Flavonoids are found in tea, and certain fruits and vegetables. Tannins are found in other fruits and vegetables including grapes, cocoa and apples. Both flavonoids and tannins create similar astringent, dry-mouth sensations. So while technically tea contains NO tannins, it’s usually not worth it to correct the record when discussing tea. Should pregnant women avoid tea? The answer to this depends on your doctor. Some doctors recommend cutting out all caffeine, which would obviously preclude traditional teas. In addition, the antioxidants in tea cause a minor disruption in the body’s ability to absorb Folate and Iron, both important for fetal development. In cases of women who already enjoy a healthy diet, the benefits of tea generally outweigh any concerns. If you’d rather be 100% safe, consider tisanes. Conclusion So the question is what can we accurately say? Tea is calorie-free and rich in antioxidants. Tea is an
