Tealeaves may release or absorb fluoride, depending on the fluoride content of water.
As the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is known to accumulate fluoride from the soil, the tealeaves may contain high concentrations of fluoride, which is easily released during infusion. In this study, we have tested the possible effect of original fluoride concentration in the water on the fluoride release from tea. Moreover, we wanted to test the possible capacity of tealeaves (commercially available tea) to absorb fluoride from high-fluoride water. In low-fluoride water, fluoride is easily released from tealeaves. Depending upon the fluoride content of the water, dried tealeaves are able also to absorb fluoride. Thus, if a cup of tea is made from high-fluoride water, the fluoride concentration of the infusion may actually be lower than the original fluoride concentration of the water.
Malde
Marian Kjellevold
MK
National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research, P.O. Box 2029 Nordnes, N-5817 Bergen, Norway. marian.malde@nifes.no
Greiner-Simonsen
Rita
R
Julshamn
Kåre
K
Bjorvatn
Kjell
K
D000042:Absorption; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D013662:Tea; D014867:Water; D005459:Fluorides