p. 13 | Tea as a Beverage by J. J. BELL, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 14, 1911

Tea as a Beverage

By J. J. BELL, M. D.

J. J. BELL, M. D.

THAT tea is in no sense a food, but is more properly classed as a drug, is perhaps not known by all who partake of it so freely. It contains an alkaloid, thein, which must, moreover, be classed as a poison because of its effects on the nervous system; an astringent, tannic acid, which produces a deleterious effect on the organs of digestion; and a volatile oil.

Tea, when taken into the stomach, produces immediately a feeling of exhilaration or imparted strength. That this first action is due to its influence on the nervous system is evident from its rapidity of action. It excites the nerve-endings of the stomach. This excitation is immediately conveyed to the brain, and intoxication to a limited extent is produced. This immediate feeling of vivacity produced can not be due to any food value, because no time has elapsed in which food could be digested. This is further proved from the fact that absorption from the stomach is infinitely small. The action of tea is still continued, as it is gradually absorbed into the blood-vessels from the intestinal tract, and carried to the nerve-centers. There is not a particle of energy imparted to the system by this pseudo-stimulation, but only a false feeling of well-being that stimulates the living machinery to unwonted action, borrowing on the future strength, just as a whip will seem to impart energy to a tired horse.

The secondary effect of tea is manifest in disordered digestion, wakefulness, palpitation of the heart, with irregularity of its action, tremor, headaches, and constipation.

Tannic acid is present in quantities ranging from fifteen to twenty per cent. This retards the digestion of food, and also has an astringent action on the mucous lining of the intestines, thus producing constipation.

Thein, of which tea contains from two to four per cent, when administered to animals in small doses, gives rise to the excitement of the cerebral centers, with partial loss of sensibility, increased activity of the heart, a quickening of the respiration, and a rise of artificial pressure, due to stimulation of the centers of the medulla. In larger doses, flashes of light before the eyes, noise and ringing in the ears, increased activity of the kidneys, muscular tremulousness, rise of temperature, delirium, sleep, rapidity of the pulse-rate, with irregularity of the heart action, are produced. In very large doses the loss of sensibility is complete, and tetanic convulsions and death follow.

It is also probable that the alkaloid of tea has a direct influence in the production of gouty and rheumatic conditions, on account of its close relation to uric acid.

Just as far as tea stimulates the feelings above par, so far will be the reaction below par when this influence is exhausted; and the individual who has become a slave to its use will in all probability seek a stronger stimulant, perhaps in the form of alcoholic drinks.

Cape Town, Africa.