THE TEA HABIT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 56, 13 April 1914, Page 4

THE TEA HABIT.

Pew women realise how many digestive troubles have their origin in excessive tea drinking. Tea taken in moderation is a useful stimulant; but taken in large quantities, .and at all hours of the day, it can act as actual poison, more especially if it is badly made. Many women begin with an early cup of tea before rising; then they will have two, sometimes three, large cups for breakfast. They will take tea again with their midday meal, more tea in the afternoon, and will indulge once more in the ''cup that cheers" before going to rest at night. The most inveterate tea drinkers are girl and women workers, women to whom it is of the utmost importance that they should keep well, for the means of earning their livelihood hangs in the balance. But they simply cannot keep in good condition if they don't knock oft' some of their cups of tea in the day. Never take tea oftener than in .the morning at breakfast and in the afternoon at tea time if you can help it. It has been proved that tea contains at least 3 per cent, of caffeine, the same alkaloid that is contained in coffee, and •10 to 15 per cent, of tannin, a bitter substance which is most injurious to the stomach, and one of the most powerfulastringents known. Caffeine of itself is poisonous enough in its effects, but in conjunction with tannin its injurious effects are ten times worse. Tea taken in moderation and properly made is beneficial rather than injurious. Most people allow the tea to stand too long before pouring it out. The longer it is allowed to "draw," the greater amount of tannin is infused into the liquid, and its ill effects upon the health are consequently very great. No tea should be allowed to infuse longer than three minutes. If it has to be kept warm for any length of time, pour the liquid into another teapot, leaving the leaves behind. Never take tea that has been allowed to stand too long, and give up the habit of taking tea on every possible occasion.

Remember that excessive tea drinking is almost as bad for the system as the excessive taking of alcohol.