The Problem With Tea Bags

Are you sipping on tea or microplastics? 

There's a growing awareness that bagged tea just isn't good for us. In a recent study, scientists found that most commercial tea bags you find on the supermarket shelf release millions of nanoplastics and microplastics when infused in hot water.  

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles (which are invisible to the naked eye)  that can be harmful to the environment and potentially to human health. Scientists have found links with exposure to microplastics and a whole host of health conditions like cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases and cardiovascular disease.

While research is ongoing, generally the smaller the particle size, the more dangerous as there are more of them, and because they are more easily able to enter human cells.  

There’s so many hidden ways plastic can get into your cup through a tea bag. Even the most “clean” paper and even 'plant based' tea bags may be sealed with flexible plastics or have a plastic coating on the string.

Microplastics are not only bad for our own health but also Mother Earth as they end up in eco systems and get into our waste streams, oceans, marine life, and take years to degrade.

To limit your exposure to microplastics, the safest bet it to opt for loose leaf tea. Not only is it better for you, and for the environment, but it also tastes so much more flavourful because you’re tasting pure, whole tea leaves. And you’re limiting unnecessary waste that comes from teabags.