Yesterday, the United Kingdom celebrated National Tea Day, a tradition observed annually since 2015. Across the nation, tea rooms, hotels, pubs, and cafés marked the occasion with special events and charitable fundraising activities. While the UK celebrates its National Tea Day each April 21, the international community will next mark International Tea Day on May 21, as designated by the United Nations.
Tea has long held a prominent place in global culture and history. Archaeological evidence suggests its consumption dates back over 5,000 years in China. Today, tea production remains a crucial economic activity, serving as the primary livelihood for millions of families in developing countries, particularly in some of the world’s least developed regions.
Tea is renowned for its numerous health benefits. Rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids, tea can help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation in the body. Regular consumption has been associated with improved cardiovascular health, enhanced cognitive function, and a lowered risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.
However, recent scientific investigations have raised concerns regarding the environmental and health impacts associated with modern tea consumption—specifically the use of plastic tea bags. A 2023 study published in the International Journal of Surgery indicates that individuals may ingest between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles annually, depending on their age and sex. These microplastics, which originate from plastic compounds in tea bags, have been linked to potential health hazards due to their persistence, bioaccumulation in fatty tissues, and possible toxicity.
The European Union has classified over 20% of widely used plastic compounds as substances of concern, while the health implications of another 39% remain largely unexamined. Although scientific studies have primarily focused on a limited number of plastic types, emerging data suggests potential connections to a broad array of health issues, including endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, cancer risks, metabolic disturbances, and neurodevelopmental interference.
Further complicating the issue is a lack of uniformity in research methodologies. A recent publication in Food Chemistry highlights how discrepancies across studies often result from differences in brand, material composition, and analytical techniques, such as varying size thresholds used for identifying micro- and nanoplastics. Some investigations have noted the leaching of plastic additives during tea steeping, though the specific mechanisms, whether from intact bags or detached microplastics, remain under debate.
Researchers emphasize the urgent need for standardized testing protocols and further investigation into the long-term effects of microplastic exposure via food and beverages. Celebrating this day can help us to also reflect about how evolving production and packaging methods intersect with human and environmental health.
Assistant Lecturer at the University of the Basque Country