“I would rather abstain from alcohol all my life than go a single meal without tea.” China's tea culture has a long and rich history, and drinking tea has always been an essential part of maintaining health. However, there is a right way to drink tea. If you don't do it correctly, you may end up harming your Stomach.
The Tea Editor will now list some harmful tea-drinking habits that can severely damage your stomach. Let's see if you fall into any of these categories?
1
Habit of Drinking Tea on an Empty Stomach
Stomach-Damage Rating: ★★★★★
Drinking tea on an empty stomach is one of the most damaging tea-drinking habits!
On an empty stomach, some active compounds in tea can bind with proteins in the stomach, stimulating it and easily causing harm.
In addition to stimulating the stomach and intestines, drinking tea on an empty stomach dilutes digestive juices, affecting digestion. Symptoms may include palpitations, dizziness, weakness in the limbs, mental confusion, and nausea.
For those who do not regularly drink tea, especially when drinking strong tea on an empty stomach in the morning, these symptoms are more likely to occur.
This phenomenon is medically referred to as “tea intoxication.” Eating 1-2 sweets or drinking some water can help alleviate the symptoms.
2
Habit of Drinking Strong Tea
Stomach-Damage Rating: ★★★★
Strong tea contains excessive amounts of Caffeine and theobromine, which can stimulate the stomach lining, causing excess stomach acid. Over time, this can lead to damage of the gastric mucosa, resulting in symptoms such as redness and inflammation or even stomach ulcers.
In severe cases, it can slow down stomach contractions and intestinal peristalsis, affecting food digestion and absorption. It can cause hard stools and even constipation, impacting gut health.
Especially for beginners in tea drinking, take it easy and start slowly. While strong tea may be satisfying, your health is the foundation of everything.
3
Drinking Large Quantities of Green Tea and Raw Pu'er Tea
Stomach-Damage Rating: ★★★★
Green tea and raw Pu'er tea belong to the category of teas with a cooler nature. They are quite potent and have a strong stimulating effect.
Regular consumption of very fresh green tea and raw Pu'er tea can easily affect the stomach because these teas contain higher levels of polyphenols, catechins, and other substances that strongly stimulate the gastrointestinal mucosa.
For those with weaker digestive systems, frequent and large consumption of very fresh green tea and raw Pu'er tea can directly impact the stomach, leading to symptoms like coldness, pain, and in severe cases, even bleeding.
4
Drinking Tea After Alcohol
Stomach-Damage Rating: ★★★★
Using tea to sober up is not only unscientific but also harmful to the body. The interaction between caffeine in tea and alcohol stimulates the stomach lining, potentially leading to gastritis. In severe cases, it can result in gastric ulcers and does not aid in sobriety.
In addition to harming the stomach, it can also harm the kidneys. As early as the Ming dynasty, Li Shizhen recorded in his Compendium of Materia Medica the dangers of drinking tea after alcohol: “Drinking tea after alcohol harms the kidneys, causes heaviness in the waist and legs, coldness and pain in the bladder, and diseases such as edema, diabetes, and painful spasms.” Drinking tea, especially strong tea, after alcohol can indeed harm the kidneys.
5
Drinking Excessive Amounts of Tea
Stomach-Damage Rating: ★★★
Tea contains abundant beneficial nutrients such as polyphenols and amino acids. However, moderation is key. If you drink too much tea, it can have the opposite effect.
Excessive tea drinking can easily irritate the stomach lining, exacerbate the loss of calcium and Iron, and increase the burden on the kidneys.
Especially with excessive consumption of green tea and raw Pu'er, the stimulation to the digestive system is significant. Although black tea and aged Pu'er are fully fermented teas with a warmer nature, if consumed in excess, they can still impact the stomach.
Generally, healthy adults can drink about 12 grams of tea daily, preferably divided into 3 or 4 infusions. No matter how much you enjoy tea, don't treat it like water.
6
Drinking Very Fresh Tea
Stomach-Damage Rating: ★★
Many people believe that tea is best when it is the freshest, but this is not always the case.
Fresh spring tea is popular due to its refreshing taste and intense aroma, but very fresh tea does not necessarily contribute to health and may even cause illness.
Recently harvested tea, having not undergone a longer period of storage, contains polyphenols, alcohols, aldehydes, and other substances that have not had sufficient time to volatilize.
This can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, bloating, and other adverse reactions, potentially worsening the condition of those with gastrointestinal diseases.
Therefore, fresh spring tea should not be consumed too soon.
While green tea is suitable for fresh consumption, drinking it too soon after harvest can also trigger related illnesses. Freshly picked spring tea should be stored for at least half a month, allowing the various compounds within the tea to oxidize naturally before drinking. In other words, tea picked and processed during Qingming should ideally be consumed after Guyu.
Black tea and Oolong tea, although warmer in nature, should also be stored for a period before drinking.
Drink tea with caution to maintain good health. Incorrect tea-drinking habits can negatively impact your physical well-being, so don't be reckless!
Enjoy good tea, drink it properly, and happiness will come sooner.