Do tea bags have microplastics? Here's what to know!

Drinking Loose-Leaf Tea May Help You Avoid Bleach and Microplastics

Do you want to ensure that your tea is as beneficial to your body as possible? If so, you may want to opt for loose-leaf tea (like this) as opposed to tea that comes in steeping bags.

That’s because some commercially sold pre-packaged tea bags may contain harmful chemicals, including bleach, microplastics, and more. Here’s everything you need to know! 

Do some tea bags contain chemicals or microplastics?

According to recent studies, yes. Some commercially available tea bags, particularly those made of bleached paper or plastic materials, can contain nanoplastics, microplastics, bleach, polypropylene, and more. 

Is tea healthy?

Yes, tea is one of the healthiest beverages that you can consume. Not only is tea loaded with antioxidants, but it also often contains key nutrients like vitamin C, polyphenols, and more. Drinking tea is a healthy habit to add to your daily life!

However, for optimal tea benefits, it may be better to steep loose-leaf tea in a stainless steel tea ball or diffuser as opposed to brewing pre-packaged single-serving tea bags. This can help you avoid any unnecessary chemicals in the tea bags, like microplastics or other harmful ingredients. 

Is it possible for the chemicals from tea bags to get into tea?

When you steep a tea bag in hot water, it is more likely to release microplastics. This is because of the diffusion process. Additionally, tea leaves are naturally astringent, which can expedite the diffusion of microplastics into your tea.

What are Microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny bits of plastic that may be readily absorbed by the cells in the human body, particularly in the intestines. Microplastics can be dangerous to human health and to the environment due to the harmful chemicals they contain. 

Are There Microplastics in Tea Bags?

Unfortunately, yes. According to recent research, many commercially sold tea bags contain microplastics. 

All About Microplastics in Tea Bags

• Regardless of construction, hot water can release both nanoplastics and microplastics from tea bags.
• Some tea bags are made from plastic materials like polypropylene or nylon, which can easily shed microplastics. 
• Even natural tea bags may still expose you to microplastics. 
• Generally, polypropylene tea bags release the most microplastic, followed by tea bags constructed of paper cellulose and then mesh nylon. 
• Microplastics may come from tea bag materials, sealing adhesives, and mesh inserts. 

Do tea bags contain bleach?

It depends on the brand. Some tea bags contain bleach, while others do not. Tea bags that have been treated with chlorinated bleach can contain harmful chemicals like epichlorohydrin or dioxin. 

What to Know About Bleached Tea Bags and Avoiding Them

• Bleach tea bags tend to have a bright white appearance, whereas unbleached tea bags have a darker, more natural-looking color. 
• Tea bags made of bleached paper, a plastic paper hybrid, or nylon, are likely to be treated with bleach to make them whiter in appearance. 
• Some tea bags are made with a bleached cellulose fiber 

There is concern that the chemicals used in the bleaching process may add harmful chemicals to tea during the hot water steeping and diffusion process. 

Healthier Tea - FAQs on Tea Bags, Bleach, Microplastics, and More!

Here are some frequently asked questions about microplastics, bleach, and chemicals found in paper and plastic tea bags.

Are all tea bags bleached?

Not all tea bags have been chlorine-bleached. Many organic brands have options for unbleached tea bags available. You can also look for tea bags made of hemp or unbleached cellulose. Or you can pack loose-leaf tea into a reusable stainless steel tea ball or diffusing spoon. 

Do tea bags contain microplastic?

Unfortunately, many tea bags contain microplastics. Particularly polypropylene tea bags, nylon tea bags, and tea bags made of cellulose fiber meshes. 

Do paper tea bags have bleach?

Many paper tea bags are treated with chlorinated bleach to give them a white appearance.

Are there organic tea bags?

Yes, organic tea bags made of hemp and other natural fibers are available for those looking to avoid microplastics or chlorinated bleach. 

How to avoid bleach in tea bags?

One of the easiest ways to avoid bleach and microplastics in tea bags is to brew loose-leaf tea in a stainless steel tea ball or by using a reusable diffusing apparatus. Glass tea infusing devices are also available. Try to choose steeping balls and diffusers that are not made of plastic. You can also look for natural, organic tea bags made with hemp, unbleached paper, or other natural fiber blends. 

What is the best tea ball infuser?

There are many different types of tea balls and tea infusers available. If you want to avoid unwanted chemicals, microplastics, and bleach, consider getting a quality tea infuser made of reusable, heat-resistant materials. For loose-leaf tea, you can use porcelain diffusers, stainless steel diffusers, or glass tea diffusers to avoid harmful microplastics or bleach from tea bags. 

Where to buy the best loose-leaf tea in bulk?

You can shop for quality loose-leaf tea in bulk online from websites like onegreatcoffee.com. (Click to Browse Flavored Teas for Sale) Here, you will find an array of delicious, quality loose-leaf tea options, including flavored teas, regular tea, black tea, decaf tea, green tea, Jasmine tea, and more, all in bulk at great prices! 

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