Our minds may go straight to coffee when we think of the world's favorite drink. However, tea is actually the cheapest and most widely consumed beverage around the globe. Research shows that the list of benefits for drinking tea is extensive, with outcomes like reduced inflammation, decreased risk of heart disease and chronic illness, lowered blood sugar, and much more. Even though tea is such a popular choice for comfort and healing, it doesn't come without some potential downsides. Read on to see what science says about the possible negative effects of drinking tea, and for more on how to eat healthy, don't miss 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now . 1 You may interrupt your body's natural rhythm Depending on what tea you choose, you may be consuming more caffeine than you realize. Black, white, and green teas average anywhere from 14-61 milligrams of caffeine per serving . Although it's not as much as a cup of coffee (about 96 milligrams per cup ), it