Dr Saurabh Sethi, a board certified gastroenterologist, shared a warning with his 1.3million Instagram followers about tea drinking habits that can have a negative effect on our health

Alice Sjoberg Social News Reporter

09:15, 17 Nov 2025

A gastroenterologist trained at Harvard has cautioned individuals to scrutinise their tea-drinking habits, as they could be causing damage to your gut and liver.

Brits are famous for their fondness for tea, consuming over 100 million cups daily – amounting to approximately 36 billion cups each year. The UK Tea and Infusions Association (UKTIA) discloses that 84% of Britons savour a brew every single day.

But have you ever pondered what this might be doing to your body?

Harvard-educated gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi has now taken to Instagram to alert his 1.3 million followers about potentially harmful tea-drinking practices that could be detrimental to their health.

“I’m a board certified gastroenterologist and here are [the] seven worst tea habits wrecking your gut + liver,” he penned on his post, reports the Mirror.

He then proceeded to share seven common blunders people make when drinking tea, and how it can impact your health negatively.

1. Consuming tea on an empty stomach

Dr Sethi’s initial warning advised against drinking tea without food, urging individuals to have a snack before or during their cuppa.

He clarified that having tea on an empty stomach irritates the stomach lining due to its acidity and compounds such as caffeine and tannins.

This can subsequently provoke acid reflux, nausea, and general discomfort.

It may also lead to dehydration since tea acts as a diuretic and could obstruct iron absorption, particularly problematic for those suffering from anaemia.

2. Drinking sweetened teas

Next, Dr Sethi advised people to limit their consumption of iced teas or milk teas due to their high sugar content. He informed his followers: “Iced teas or milk teas can pack 30 – 40 grams of sugar.”

This implies that regularly drinking these types of sugary teas can heighten the risk of conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or diabetes.

3. ‘Detox’ or Slimming teas

Thirdly, Dr Sethi disclosed that detox teas, or ‘slimming’ teas, may not be as beneficial as they are advertised

While they might work for some, the doctor explained that the ‘slimming’ element in these teas is usually a form of laxative.

Frequent consumption of these tea ‘laxatives’ can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and gut damage.

Therefore, it’s essential not to consume more than recommended and to consult NHS guidance on laxatives to avoid any lasting harm to your body.

4. Overdoing green tea extracts

Lastly, while green tea is generally considered a healthier alternative to standard black tea, it’s also important not to overdo it.

If you’re not fond of the taste of green tea, then green tea supplements have become a popular way to still reap the benefits of green tea, such as antioxidants and polyphenols, without having to drink it.

However, Dr Sethi issued a stark warning about over-reliance on these supplements, as they’ve been associated with a rare, ‘but real’ risk of liver toxicity.

5. Drinking scalding hot tea

While many of us are guilty of pouring boiling water straight from the kettle onto our teabag, Dr Sethi has advised tea lovers to hold off drinking until the water has cooled to below 65C.

He further explained that regularly consuming tea hotter than 65C has been shown to heighten the risk of oesophageal cancer.

A Chinese study published in 2020 found a significant link between regularly drinking tea hotter than 65C and Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, a type of cancer that originates in the thin, flat squamous cells lining the oesophagus, the tube connecting the throat and stomach.

6. Drinking caffeinated teas late at night

Although different types of tea contain significantly less caffeine compared to coffee, it’s still crucial to be aware of its presence.

For this reason, Dr Sethi advised tea drinkers to steer clear of chai and green teas late at night. He elaborated that caffeine lingers in our bodies, which can disrupt our sleep.

This can subsequently hinder your body’s ability to repair itself effectively during the night, such as your liver or gut.

7. Overindulging in boba or bubble teas

Dr Sethi issued a stark warning to bubble tea lovers, cautioning them about the high sugar content and ‘hidden calories’ in their favourite drinks.

He explained that the sweet mixture, along with starchy boba pearls made from tapioca, can lead to an unexpected calorie intake. This could potentially result in insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

To avoid these health problems, it’s essential to maintain a balanced lifestyle and adhere to a nutritious diet.