Tea is one of the most loved beverages consumed at any time of the day. A new study has unveiled an unknown benefit of brewing tea. Scientists from Northwestern University in the U.S. found that, during the brewing process, tea significantly reduces heavy metals such as lead and cadmium in water. According to Science Daily, the study examined the effects of different types of tea, tea bags, and various brewing methods on reducing heavy metals in water.

Researchers created water solutions containing a certain amount of heavy metals and added tea leaves brewed at different time intervals to the solutions heated to a temperature close to boiling. By measuring the amount of heavy metals remaining in the solution after the brewing process, researchers compared this to the initial and final levels.

The study revealed that finely ground black tea leaves, due to their extensive surface area, form chemical bonds with heavy metal ions, leading to their “significant” removal from the water. Scientists also noted that as the brewing time of tea increased, the level of heavy metals in the water decreased. They emphasized that tea bags made from cellulose were more effective compared to those made from cotton and nylon.

The research showed that in regions where heavy metals are commonly found in drinking water, tea could have positive effects on public health. The findings of the study were published in the “ACS Food Science Technology” journal.