High surface area of the tea leaves means they can adsorb toxic metals released by the boiling water.

Summary

A new study in ACS Food & Science Technology finds that brewing tea can help remove toxic heavy metals from water.

Researchers tested various tea types and tea bags, discovering that cellulose tea bags and finely ground black tea leaves were most effective at adsorbing metals like lead, chromium, and cadmium.

Longer steeping times significantly increased metal removal, with a typical three-to-five-minute brew reducing lead by 15%.

While not a global solution, tea consumption may passively reduce heavy metal exposure and its associated health risks.