High Fluoride Levels in Tea

Moderation Needed For Health Benefits Without Side Effects

Aug 31, 2007 Dawn M. Smith

Anti-cancer and antioxidant value of teas may be countered by high fluoride levels. White tea is safer. Consuming a variety of beneficial foods and beverages is best.

When it comes to the health benefits of various foods and drinks, it is difficult to know what to believe. Studies have shown teas to have value in preventing cardiovascular disease and possibly some value as an anti-cancer agent. In addition, teas have high levels of antioxidants. But studies also show high levels of fluorides in tea, especially black tea. Drinking a moderate number of cups of white tea may be a way to accrue the antioxidant, anti-cancer benefits without side effects of excesss fluoride. Maintaining a varied diet of foods and beverages with known beneficial effects is always the most sensible course.

Fluoride and Tea

Tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) tend to accumulate naturally occurring fluoride from air and soil. While other edible plants also accumulate fluoride, teas accumulate it at a higher rate. Fluoride levels in tea have been rising over the last few decades. Today it is not uncommon for there to be an average of 1mg of fluoride per cup of tea.

Health Risks from Excess Fluoride

Fluoride was once considered so important for dental health it was added to drinking water. Today the Fluoride Action Network (FAN) is calling for an end to that practice as fluoride is being linked to decreased thyroid function (in fact it was once used to treat hyperthyroidism), Alzheimer’s Disease, increased fracture risk, arthritic conditions and lowered mental functioning.

Options for Optimizing Wellness

Added to the concerns about excess fluoride is the fact that fluoride adversely affects the actions of some antioxidants. White tea, made from buds which have not had time to accumulate large amounts of fluoride is likely to have the lowest levels of fluoride. Because it is harvested young and not processed, it also has the highest levels of antioxidants, making it the logical choice for those wishing to reap tea’s health benefits without side effects

Remember too, there are multiple sources for antioxidants, including berries and other fruits, generally with no known adverse effects. Many foods are being found to have anti-cancer benefits. Others help reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease. The most logical way to protect your health and prevent disease is to eat a balanced diet of foods from known quality sources. In many cases, the benefits are significantly greater. Rather than drinking lots of tea, combine moderate tea drinking with consuming foods also proven to have high levels of antioxidants or anti-cancer or cardiovascular enhancing properties.

Some of the research showing the benefits of tea was sponsored by the tea industry. Before jumping on the latest health bandwagon, know the source of the information and keep an eye out for opposing views. Often the truth is somewhere in between.

The copyright of the article High Fluoride Levels in Tea in Natural Medicine is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish High Fluoride Levels in Tea in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Mar 31, 2009 5:04 AM

Guest :

I saw some data saying White tea was about 10% of black tea in Fluoride content, which is a good reduction.
Is this figure right and how predictable between brands is it likely to be?
Actually, White tea has a good taste and far from weak- maybe the tannins are still high to produce this.
I stopped black tea to help with IBS and the next day things did improve and on from there.
My doctor said keep to 2 cups a day ,but I thought NO - Nil cups of black, at least- but I found I missed the good 'ol stalwart TEA !
PS: On returning home I found a long lost article on Fluoride induced IBS -but didn't realise its' impact till now. [NPWA site]
I'm Male 65 yrs

Mar 31, 2009 5:19 AM

Dawn M. Smith :

That figure should be about right and shouldn't vary greatly between brands as it is the time when the tea is picked that affects the fluoride levels. In order to be white tea, the very early buds are used. They haven't had time to accumulate as much fluoride. The fluoride levels in white tea may vary by region as fluoride levels in soil may vary. Thus you may find that teas from a particular region suit you best.

Oct 16, 2009 3:57 AM

Guest :

I can't understand how the region the tea is grown in does NOT make a difference in fluoride levels - some areas of India have very high levels of fluoride in the soil and water so that the people are suffering fluorosis. Wouldn't tea from there be much worse as far as fluoride content than tea from another place?

I also wonder if heavy harvesting is stimulating some tea plants to produce higher fluoride leaves - it's well studied that plants will add tannins, etc. to their leaves when over-harvested.

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