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Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Study Finds Brewing Tea Can Filter Heavy Metals from Water – But Not a Replacement for Proper Filtration
Caption: Study Finds Brewing Tea Can Filter Heavy Metals from Water – But Not a Replacement for Proper Filtration. Researchers from Northwestern University found that the process of brewing tea can help remove heavy metals like lead and cadmium from water. Published in ACS Food Science & Technology, the study is among the first to apply advanced nanotech-level analysis to tea’s ability to adsorb contaminants. Tea leaves can naturally “adsorb” heavy metal ions onto their surfaces, helping to trap them during the brewing process before disposal. Tea brewed in cellulose bags performed best in filtering metals, while cotton and nylon bags were far less effective. Finely ground teas, particularly black tea, removed more contaminants than whole leaves due to increased surface area and pore exposure. The study found tea could filter out about 15% of lead from water in a standard 3–5 minute brew, with longer steeping times improving the effect. Experts caution that while tea brewing offers some benefits, it cannot replace carbon filters, which more efficiently remove a wider range of contaminants. Contaminants like nitrate, arsenic, and PFAS may remain in unfiltered water, and no amount of lead exposure is considered safe for children. Since tea is the most consumed beverage worldwide, researchers note it offers a practical method for minor water purification in areas lacking filtration. Nylon tea bags can release microplastics; most tea bags today are made from safer natural materials like cellulose. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
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