Drinking tea immediately after a meal can interfere with absorption of certain nutrients, said nutritionist Ashlesha Joshi. "Tea contains...tannins and polyphenols, which can bind to non-heme iron found in plant-based foods. When this binding occurs, it reduces...amount of iron your body can absorb from...the...meal," she stated. It is best to wait at least 30 to 60 minutes, Joshi added.