A significant part of the Indian population loves sipping a piping hot cup of chai or coffee at least once a day. Indians’ love for these beverages is unparalleled. From breakfast to evening snacks, the common thing in the food spread in every family is cups of tea or coffee. However, looks like the time has come to change these food and lifestyle patterns. Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) urged Indians to not have tea or coffee before and after meals.
ICMR Issued Guidelines & Specified Important Facts About Chai And Coffee Consumption
ICMR mentioned a total of 17 guidelines for Indians focusing on food choices and habits. These important points emphasise following a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The association of healthy living with a diverse diet is crucial for every human and the latest rules and guidelines suggest steps for that. Among all the points, the recommendation that has grabbed everyone’s attention is the advice to avoid drinking any tea or coffee about an hour before and after having a meal.
Both ICMR and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) stated some significant facts about our common habit of sipping chai and coffee at any time of the day. Alerting Indians about this regular beverage-drinking habit, the medical panel also specified that Indians need to bring the consumption level of these beverages under control and moderate it.
The biggest reason behind ICMR asking Indians to make this major change in their lifestyle is because of the presence of caffeine in tea and coffee. We are already aware of this. However, many of us are not aware of the fact that 150 ml of tea has 30 to 60 mg of caffeine. And for coffee, 150 ml has about 80 to 120 mg of caffeine. Also, 50 to 65 mg of caffeine is present in 150 ml of instant coffee.
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Is It Harmful For One’s Health?
The team of researchers on the medical panel shared that this caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. It can even lead to physiological dependence. Also, these beverages have tannin and polyphenols and these can create issues and make it difficult for the bodies to absorb iron properly.
Many tea and coffee lovers might be worried about all these health effects. But no one has to completely stop drinking these beverages. The researchers advised to drink these in moderation. A crucial point to note here is that the caffeine limit should not go beyond 300mg in a day, according to a report by India Today. Also, people need to be cautious and avoid drinking coffee and chai an hour before and after having a meal.
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Keep all these necessary guidelines in mind the next time you are drinking tea or coffee.
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