Morning tea and toast can be a health hazard, experts explain its side effects.

News Topical, Digital Desk : It's rare to find a morning without a cup of hot tea and crispy toast. For most Indians, tea and toast are an essential part of starting the day. They're quick to prepare, delicious, and provide a moment of relaxation before the hustle and bustle of the day. However, recent research suggests that this seemingly innocent habit may not be as healthy as it seems.

This daily combination of tea and white bread toast can gradually take a toll on your body. So let's explore how morning tea and toast can be detrimental to your health and its potential side effects. 

How morning tea and toast can become enemies of health 

According to research, people who consume mostly refined carbohydrates and sweetened beverages, such as milk and sugar-laden tea and white bread toast, have an increased risk of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. This means that the body's cells gradually stop responding properly to insulin, leading to elevated sugar levels and an increased risk of problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. 

Consuming such snacks frequently can cause blood sugar to spike and then plummet. This can result in hunger, fatigue, and low energy levels within a few hours. In the long run, this habit can slow down your metabolism. 

Disadvantages of morning tea

Tea has become everyone's favorite. If the same tea is made with full-fat milk and two to three teaspoons of sugar, it can be detrimental to your health. A cup of such tea contains approximately 150-200 calories, and if you drink tea two to three times a day, these calories contribute significantly to gradual weight gain. Furthermore, the caffeine in tea is beneficial in small amounts.

It refreshes the mind and improves focus. Excessive caffeine can cause anxiety, sleep problems, and dehydration. The tannins in black tea also interfere with iron absorption, increasing the risk of anemia. If you eat white bread toast with tea every day, you're unknowingly consuming a high-carb, low-nutrition breakfast every morning. It may provide energy for a few hours but leave you feeling sluggish later. 

Disadvantages of white bread toast

Toast isn't as easy and light as it sounds, but it's not as healthy. Most people use white bread, which has its fiber and essential nutrients removed during processing. This means that white bread is just empty carbohydrates, which are quickly digested and cause an immediate spike in blood sugar. This can lead to hunger returning shortly afterward, and you may overeat.

Additionally, white bread is low in essential nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and magnesium. Over-toasting can also lead to the formation of a chemical called acrylamide, which can lead to cancer in the long run. Toppings like butter, jam, margarine, or sweet spreads may enhance the taste, but the hidden sugar and trans fats they contain can be even more harmful. 

How to make tea and toast healthy?

If you are thinking that you will have to give up tea and toast, then there is no need to worry, with just a few sensible changes you can make this combo more healthy. 

1. Modify your tea – gradually reduce the amount of sugar, use toned or plant-based milk instead of full-fat milk. Add spices like cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon to enhance the flavor. These are not only tasty but also have antioxidant properties. Try to drink no more than two cups of tea a day. 

2. Improve your toast - Skip white bread and opt for whole-grain, multigrain, or oat bread. These are high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, which slow digestion and delay hunger. Avoid burning the toast; a light golden color is best. Choose healthy toppings like avocado, eggs, hummus, or peanut butter. 

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