At Northwestern University, Chicago, USA, it was found that tea purifies water from toxic metals. It turned out that lead and cadmium, dangerous pollutants, remain on tea leaves during brewing, meaning their concentration in the drink itself decreases.
Researchers tested various types of tea, including black, green, and chamomile. It was found that finely chopped black tea adsorbs metals more effectively than others. Prolonged brewing also contributed to greater removal of contaminants: for example, a five-minute infusion reduced lead levels by 15%.
Cellulose tea bags demonstrated good results in removing heavy metals, unlike cotton and nylon ones.
This discovery highlights the potential of tea as a means to reduce the impact of heavy metals on public health, which is especially relevant in the context of growing concerns about water pollution.
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