THIS is with reference to a TV commercial urging children to drink tea. The advertisement hints that tea is good for health and young children. I would like to draw readers’ attention to potential drawbacks and effects of tea on our health. All tea leaves contain fluoride; however, mature leaves contain as much as 10 to 20 times the fluoride levels of young leaves from the same plant. High fluoride intake (daily intakes over 2mg for children, 4mg adults) increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Also caffeine is an addictive drug and overuse of tea may result in harmful side effects, such as an increased likelihood of certain sleep disorders. Moreover, tea contains oxalate, over consumption of which can cause kidney stones, as well as binding with free calcium in the body; other minerals may be bound as well. It has been suggested that chemicals known as tannins may increase one’s risk of esophageal cancer, with some studies having found that tea drinking may in fact be negatively associated with risk of oesophageal cancer.

Also, hot tea consumption has been linked to a higher risk for oesophageal cancer. There is a potential effect of milk on tea as well. A study at the Charité Hospital of the Berlin University showed that adding milk to tea will block the normal, healthful effects that tea has in protecting against cardiovascular disease. This occurs because casein from the milk binds to the molecules in tea that cause the arteries to relax, especially EGCG. HARIS SIDDIQUI Karachi