Is there anything more comforting than a cup of our favorite infusion? The truth is that it is difficult to think of another option that generates so much well-being, especially in times of cold, snow or rain. For this reason, more than one teapot lover will have wondered how many infusions can be taken per day.
And since it is a fairly common question, we have given ourselves the task of answering it. So get comfortable and get ready to discover everything you need to know to decide how many infusions you will enjoy in the following days.
Why is it good to drink infusions?
Before answering the question “how many herbal teas can you drink per day”, it is necessary to remember why drinking herbal teas can be a good idea. Yes, beyond the pleasure it generates.
First of all, let us remember that experts recommend drinking around two liters of water a day to maintain good hydration and the proper functioning of the body.
The problem appears when drinking water does not appeal to us. What do we do? Well, opt for a healthy drink, preferably without added sugars (or alternatively, with honey and not with sugar), to maintain hydration. And that is when the infusions make their appearance, which, as we always mention, are healthy and delicious.
On the other hand, the different infusions have the most varied health properties; that is, they can contribute to the health of the body and mind far beyond hydrating the body.
Did you know that there are infusions with anti-aging, anti-inflammatory or laxative properties? If you choose your infusions correctly, they can help relieve symptoms or diseases as annoying as constipation, cystitis, migraine or muscle pain. What is worth drinking infusions?
When is it recommended to drink infusions?
Although, as we have already pointed out, taking an infusion can be very beneficial for health, it is always necessary to consider each particular case and not make generalizations.
It is not the same to refer to a person with hypertension problems than to a pregnant woman or a person who has caffeine intolerance. As always, each person is a world and, therefore, it is impossible to ensure that this or that infusion is the best for everyone in general… nor to speak of absolute amounts that do good or bad.
But, in addition, each infusion has different properties; With which, to give an answer to the question “when is it recommended to drink infusions” it would be necessary to consider:
- To whom is the recommendation made?
- The particular characteristics of that person.
- What an infusion.
- What is the purpose of drinking it (for pleasure or to alleviate a problem?).
In any case, if there is one thing we can say without hesitation, it is that infusions never act as a treatment in themselves, but rather as an adjunct to medical treatment. This means that if you have diabetes, you can drink infusions that help you control the amount of sugar in your blood, but that does not exempt you from regularly visiting your doctor and following his instructions, including: taking the medication he prescribes.
In conclusion, it is recommended to drink infusions for:
- Increase fluid intake in those who do not drink enough water.
- Relieve symptoms of diseases, always as a support treatment.
- Simply enjoy.
At what time of the day to drink infusions?
We look like a parrot, we know, but like everything in the world of tea, the answer to this question is relative. Yes, because everything depends on the infusion.
Most teas, for example, have caffeine, which is why it is recommended to drink them in the morning or in the afternoon, but not after 5:00 p.m. to avoid problems falling asleep.
However, some people do not suffer the consequences of caffeine and are able to drink mate or coffee before going to sleep, with no problem closing their eyes and falling into the arms of Morpheus immediately.
So… how many infusions can be taken per day?
In a world of relative answers, our answer is it depends. If you choose a black tea or a matcha tea, both within the podium of the teas with the highest amount of caffeine, the ideal would be that you do not exceed two or three cups a day.
If we talk about green tea, the controversy is served. At the caffeine level, their data is a little lower than the previous ones but not by much: each cup provides around 25 and 29 mg/100 g. However, some researchers, have pointed out that you could drink up to 8 cups a day.
This would be due to the health benefits of green tea. Of course, keep in mind that this study is quite particular and, in general, it is recommended not to exceed 4 to 6 cups a day.
Now, what about mate lovers? Well, here we should be even more careful since mate contains more mateine (caffeine name) than any other infusion. So a moderate consumption is recommended of course, depending on the size of the mate that is used to serve the drink.
As a general guideline, keep in mind that the FDA recommended maximum daily dose of caffeine is 400 milligrams, as long as you are not hypersensitive to caffeine.
And in the case of drinking infusions that do not have caffeine, such as rooibos, chamomile infusion or some fruit? In these cases, you should take into consideration its specific properties and contraindications.
For example, those drinks with a diuretic effect, such as horsetail, should be drunk in moderation, since an excessive elimination of liquids could be detrimental to health.
Who should be especially careful?
As you can imagine, those people who suffer from a specific disease or hypersensitivity should closely monitor what infusion they drink and how much. If in doubt, it is best to consult a doctor.
Also pregnant and lactating mothers should open their eyes and be well informed before starting the regular intake of any drink. In those cases, in addition to consulting the doctor, it is recommended to visit the E-lactation page to find out the possible effects of each infusion.
Infusions that should be drunk with caution
Beyond the fact that each person must watch what they ingest, since depending on their personal situation an infusion may or may not be dangerous, there are some infusions that should never be drunk in excess.
Within this list, there are caffeinated beverages, in which key we should not exceed 400 mg per day to avoid adverse effects; and diuretic infusions, because excess fluid elimination could cause dehydration and/or poor absorption of nutrients.
As you can see, saying how many infusions can be taken per day is not as easy as adding two plus two, but a lot of variables must be taken into account.