The study found that cellulose tea bags were the most effective at adsorbing heavy metals, while cotton and nylon bags performed poorly and could potentially release microplastics.

Materials used in tea bags significantly influenced the results, with cellulose bags reducing lead concentration, whereas cotton and nylon bags absorbed negligible amounts.

The infusion time was identified as the most important factor in the ability to absorb metallic ions, with longer steeping times leading to greater reductions in contaminants.

While the authors acknowledge that this method won't solve global water crises, it could help mitigate health risks associated with heavy metal exposure, such as heart disease and stroke.

The Environmental Protection Agency has set an actionable limit for lead in public drinking water at 15 parts per billion, indicating that no level of lead is considered safe.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University reveals that brewing tea can effectively remove heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, from water.

Lead author Benjamin Shindel noted that while tea leaves are not uniquely special as filtering materials, their high surface area makes them effective adsorbents.

The study highlights that the surface area of the material is crucial for the absorption of metals, with finely ground black tea leaves demonstrating a greater capacity to adsorb metallic ions.

Unlike typical food and drinks, tea leaves are not consumed directly, allowing them to absorb harmful chemicals while releasing beneficial compounds during the steeping process.

Shindel suggested that increased tea consumption could correlate with lower rates of illnesses linked to heavy metal exposure, potentially explaining the lower heart disease and stroke rates in populations that consume high amounts of tea.

The findings of this study were published in the ACS Food Science & Technology journal and reported by Europa Press on February 25, 2025.

With over 5 billion cups consumed daily, tea is the second most popular beverage after water, and previous research has linked tea consumption to various health benefits.