Tea is loved by millions every day. It’s relaxing, tasty, and helps digestion. But hold on! Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard-trained digestive health expert with 1.3 million Instagram followers, says some popular tea habits could quietly damage your gut and liver. He shared seven risky tea patterns we should know about, reported by The Express. First, avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach. The acids, caffeine, and tannins in tea can irritate your stomach lining. This irritation might cause nausea, acid reflux, and stomach pain. Plus, tea can make you lose water since it acts like a diuretic. It can also stop your body from absorbing iron, which is a big no-no if you’re anemic. Next, sugary teas are a sneaky villain. Many iced or milk teas have a whopping 30 to 40 grams of sugar. Drinking this much sugar often can push you toward non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes. So, beware of bottled teas or café favorites that hide heaps of sugar. What about detox or slimming teas? Don’t be fooled! Dr. Sethi points out that these teas usually work because of laxatives. Overusing them can cause dehydration, upset your electrolytes, and damage your intestines. They can also make you dependent on laxatives, thinking you’re cleansing when really you’re stressing your system. Even green tea, thought to be super healthy, has a dark side. Green tea extracts and supplements have antioxidants but too much can harm your liver, leading to rare but real liver toxicity. Drinking very hot tea is another risk. Many people pour boiling water on tea leaves and sip immediately. Dr. Sethi advises waiting until the tea cools below 65°C. Hotter drinks, above 150°F, have been linked to esophageal cancer, says a 2020 Chinese study. Remember caffeine! Even though tea has less caffeine than coffee, sipping it late at night can mess with your sleep. Bad sleep hurts your liver and gut health since your body repairs during rest. So, skip caffeinated teas like chai or green tea before bedtime. Bubble tea fans, listen up! Those sweet, starchy tapioca pearls add hidden calories with sugar, which may boost your risk of fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. Dr. Sethi’s advice isn’t to stop enjoying tea but to balance treats with healthier choices. Want to protect your gut and liver? Dr. Sethi urges tea drinkers to rethink how they drink tea, avoid empty stomach sips, cut down sugary versions, and watch temperature and timing. His smart tips help you enjoy your daily cuppa while keeping your body strong. Note: Always talk to your doctor about health questions. This advice is for information only. FAQs: Q: Why avoid tea on an empty stomach? A: It can irritate your stomach and cause nausea and acid reflux. Q: Are sweetened teas harmful? A: Yes, regular sugary teas raise risk of diabetes and fatty liver disease.