Troubling Tea ALERT (Read BEFORE Your Next Sip)
If taking care of your health seems complicated you should know that’s a feeling we ALL experience occasionally.
At times it feels like nothing can just be… well… SIMPLE.
Take tea for example…
For years I’ve been extolling the virtues of this healing beverage. I’ve explained that tea drinking is an affordable and delicious ticket to a healthier life.
And that’s STILL true.
Tea is packed with disease-fighting antioxidants. And potent phytochemicals in tea fight inflammation, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and more.
But DESPITE those powerful benefits, I now have to warn you to look out for a hidden harm that could be lurking in every mugful…
A new study conducted at the Keck School of Medicine at USC is a sharp reminder of just how easily we can be exposed to toxic chemicals in our daily lives.
Researchers found a concerning link between eating certain common foods and beverages and increased PFAS levels including teas, processed meats, and takeout meals.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short, are a group of synthetic chemicals found in countless household products including nonstick pans, water-resistant textiles, and food packaging.
Their indestructible carbon-fluorine bonds prevent them from breaking down which has earned them the ominous nickname “forever chemicals.” And it is that same indestructibility that causes PFAS to steadily accumulate in the environment AND human bodies.
Research connects high PFAS exposure to liver damage, unhealthy cholesterol, disrupted blood sugar levels, and even cancer. Plus, there’s evidence the chemicals can weaken bones, alter hormones, and suppress overall immune function.
The new study found that for every additional daily serving of processed pork people ate, blood levels of a PFAS chemical called PFOA were 13 percent higher. And eating hot dogs was linked to a 25-percent jump in blood levels of another forever chemical.
Researchers believe that PFAS make their way into meat through environmental contamination of animal feed as well as contact with processing equipment and food packaging.
However, drinking tea had the most alarming ties to PFAS.
Every additional daily serving was linked to substantially higher blood levels of several PFAS chemicals, including… 25 percent higher levels of PFHxS, 16 percent higher levels of PFHpS, and 13 percent higher levels of PFNA.
Scientists believe contamination occurs either during the cultivation of the plants or during the processing and packaging of the tea bags.
I suspect it’s all three. And the bags top MY list as the worst of the three suspects. And the only one of the three you have true control over.
The benefits of drinking tea far outweigh these newly discovered links to PFAS. But if you’re drinking tea from one of those fancy new plastic teabags, stop.
Not only are you VIRTUALLY guaranteed to get a dose of microplastics with your tea, you’re also likely to increase your PFAS exposure.
And another thing…
Here’s what else we’ve covered this week in Living Well Daily…
The SHOCKING Truth About HIDDEN Antibiotics
What if I told you that you were secretly being force-fed hidden antibiotics? Sounds crazy, right? Well, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
The Strange Smile Link to Healthy Aging
There are some excellent reasons to keep up with your brushing and flossing from protecting your heart to maintaining a shiny smile. But science has just added another critical one to the list you’d NEVER guess…
Powerful Pomegranate Compound STUNS Scientists
Pomegranates aren’t just tasty treats. Modern science CONFIRMS the fruit deserves its legendary healing reputation. In fact, the power of one potent pomegranate compound is blowing scientists away!
Saturated Fats Get a Memory Makeover
We’ve been conditioned to see saturated fats as the enemy. But what if everything we thought we knew about these much-maligned fats was WRONG?
Mailbag: Speed Up Your Recovery from Surgery
A fast and complete recovery from hip or knee surgery requires focusing on two key areas: restoring fitness and optimizing nutrition. (In fact, it’s true for ANY surgery.) Discover exactly what you need to know to get started…
Maintain MAXIMUM Mobility as You Age
Decreasing mobility as you age raises your risk for a devastating fracture or broken hip. But THIS one simple change sends mobility soaring by a stunning 46%.
Can’t Stop Overeating? THIS Could Be WHY
Our G.I. tracts contain trillions of bacteria that are crucial to digestion, immunity, and more. Click through to find out the weird way alcohol can affect them.
P.S. Concerns are growing over microplastics. These tiny invaders aren’t just polluting our environment they’re also sabotaging our HEALTH.
Source:
“Associations of dietary intake and longitudinal measures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in predominantly Hispanic young Adults: A multicohort study,” Environment International, Available online 4 February 2024, doi. org /10.1016 /j.envint .2024.108454
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
You CAN Develop a Happiness Habit [Here’s How...]
Life can be a total dumpster fire sometimes. We’ve all been there. Losing friends, arguing with family, and don’t even get me started on the whole money situation. Life’s challenging moments are enough to make anyone want to curl up into a ball and binge-watch Netflix for eternity. But wait, there’s a plot twist! Apparently,...
Mailbag: You CAN Avoid Diabetes Medications (Here’s How...)
“I’ve recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My doctor mentioned that I might need to start taking medication. Is there anything else I can do to manage my sugars before taking drugs?” – Nick Hi Nick, I’ve got good news! Type 2 diabetes is highly preventable and reversible with some extra effort on your...
“Osteoporosis Proof” Your Bones with a Breakfast Staple
Everything from ad campaigns to our doctors’ praise has given milk an unbeatable bone-building halo. For years, it’s been drummed into us. Milk is the ultimate key to strong bones. But IS dairy as good as it gets when it comes to protecting our bones? Don’t get me wrong—I AM a fat of full-fat dairy....
Delicious Drink SLASHES Bowel Cancer Risk
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of beating cancer. You’re on top of the world. After all, you’ve literally escaped death, and you have the endorphins surging through your body to prove it. But after that initial high, worry can start to sneak in because remission comes with a new risk—recurrence. With bowel cancer, the...
The Tiny Green Secret to a SHARPER Brain
We all want to keep our brains functioning at their absolute best for as long as possible. In fact, I bet you’re already doing some of the usual brain-supporting things like taking supplements, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and trying to keep stress levels in check. However, you can add one more thing to your...
Is Your Bathroom Hiding a Dirty Secret?
Let’s talk about your bathroom. You probably spend a good chunk of your day there, from your morning routine to your evening wind-down. But how clean do you really keep it? Maybe you’re a neat freak, scrubbing every surface until it sparkles. Or perhaps you’re more of a “clean enough” type, giving things a quick...
Key Facts to Consider BEFORE Trying Marijuana
Lately, I’ve had a lot of people ask me if marijuana is safe, and my answer always is, “It depends…” You may have lived through the wild days of the 60s and 70s and even experimented with a little weed back then. But the marijuana of today is NOT the same mellow grass you remember....
MAILBAG: Decoding Chest Pain and Breathlessness During Activity
“I’ve been having chest pain and shortness of breath when I’m active. Could this be a sign of a heart problem? What tests should I undergo to determine if there’s an issue?” -Paul Hi Paul, Regardless of past heart history, I always advise folks to seek medical help immediately if they experience concerning symptoms, including...
The Surprising Key to SURVIVING a Stroke
Imagine you’re going about your day when, suddenly, your world turns upside down. Your vision blurs, your speech slurs, and you feel a weakness in your arm. You’re having a stroke. It’s a terrifying experience that far too many of us have faced. And if you’re lucky enough to survive, the fear of another stroke...
The Deadly Truth About Sleep Apnea REVEALED
Where do you put sleep on your priorities list? It should rank pretty high for everyone, but if you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it’s time to make it one of your TOP priorities. After all, the alarming results of the latest OSA research make it clear that quality sleep is truly a matter of...