It’s the quintessential British drink: most of us drink at least two cups a day.
But if you choose to have your cup of coffee with lunch, dinner or certain snacks, beware of little-known health risks.
According to pharmacist and nutritional therapist Deborah Grayson, drinking tea or coffee with certain foods, such as red meat and leafy green vegetables, could increase the risk of developing serious nutrient deficiencies.
Specifically, the chemical components of these hot drinks are known to prevent the body from absorbing iron, a vital mineral for transporting oxygen throughout the body, giving us energy and a strong immune system.
Those who drink tea with iron-rich foods may be unwittingly putting themselves at risk for iron deficiency.
“If you always drink tea with meals, you could develop anaemia,” Grayson told The Mirror.
She added that the risk of anemia (severe iron deficiency) is particularly high if you are a woman who has menstrual periods.
Foods that should not be combined with tea and coffee include iron-rich foods such as steak and roast beef, as well as green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale.
Studies have found that a number of chemicals in tea and coffee can block iron absorption, including polyphenols, which are thought to protect against inflammation.
In addition to tea and coffee, polyphenols are also found in foods such as fruits, vegetables and spices, although at much lower levels.
Red meat is high in iron and studies show that about one-fifth of vegetarians are deficient.
Ianinos, which are also found in wine, as well as Oxalates are also known for their iron-blocking effect.
Around eight per cent of women in the UK are thought to have iron deficiency anaemia, and around three per cent of men.
Symptoms can be debilitating and include extreme exhaustion, hair loss and repeated infections.
Mrs. Grayson offered other ‘eating mistakes’ that can have a detrimental impact on our health.
Deborah Grayson, a pharmacist and nutritional therapist, has offered little-known tips to aid digestion and prevent deficiencies.
For example, he advises those who have a poor appetite and want to gain weight or muscle mass to refrain from drinking too much fluid during meals.
“The presence of fluid in your stomach can actually reduce the amount of food you can eat,” he says.
‘So if you’re someone who has a poor appetite, taking only sips of water, if necessary, can help you eat a more normal amount of food.’
Changing the type of salad you eat could help alleviate “post-meal digestive symptoms.”
Ms. Grayson says bitter greens, such as arugula and chicory, “stimulate the digestive process and can help the body prepare to fully digest the foods we eat.”
Other tips include eating no later than three hours before bedtime and refraining from lying down after a meal to avoid reflux symptoms.
Plus, sitting at a table, rather than on a couch, makes it easier for your digestive system to break down food and reduces your risk of indigestion, Grayson says.