Tea contains oxalic acid, especially strong tea, which has a higher content. Many people in daily life prefer strong tea, believing that is the true way to enjoy tea and not waste it.
However, because of its high oxalate content, strong tea may lead to hyperoxaluria in the urinary tract, potentially forming calcium oxalate stones. In severe cases, it can even cause kidney stones. Some also say that regularly drinking strong tea can trigger Hypertension. This is because tea contains Caffeine, which can raise blood pressure, causing symptoms such as dizziness and headaches when consumed in strong teas.
For example, drinking Green Tea can stimulate excessive secretion of stomach acid, diluting gastric juices and affecting normal digestion of food. If digestive issues persist for a long time, symptoms like bloating and abdominal pain may appear, or even duodenal ulcers could develop.
Additionally, regularly consuming tea, particularly strong tea, can overexcite the nervous system, leading to a faster heartbeat. Drinking tea before bed, especially strong tea, can cause poor sleep quality or Insomnia.
What Problems Can Arise from Regularly Drinking Strong Tea?
1. Regular consumption of strong tea promotes osteoporosis. Tea contains a relatively high amount of caffeine, which can increase urinary calcium excretion, leading to negative calcium balance and bone calcium loss.
2. Regular intake of strong tea can lead to anemia. The tannic acid in tea forms insoluble precipitates with ferric iron, affecting iron absorption in the body.
3. Regular consumption of strong tea causes the loss of various nutrients. Increased urine output leads to the loss of important nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins.
4. People with poor gastrointestinal function, especially those with chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, often experience symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, unsteadiness, dry mouth, stomach pain, and bloating after drinking strong tea or new tea. These symptoms can be alleviated by eating some sugar, fruits, or meals.
5. Strong tea contains large amounts of tannic acid, which inhibits the secretion of digestive fluids. Tannic acid also combines with proteins to form substances that are difficult to digest, affecting the digestion and absorption of food in the stomach. Additionally, tannic acid has astringent properties, slowing down bowel movements. This prolongs the time feces spend in the intestines, making constipation more likely and allowing toxic substances and carcinogens to be absorbed by the body, which is detrimental to health. Therefore, it's not suitable to drink strong tea after meals, especially after consuming high-protein foods.
Who Should Avoid Drinking Strong Tea?
1. Anemic patients should avoid drinking strong tea. Tannic acid in tea combines with iron to form insoluble compounds, preventing adequate iron intake. Therefore, those who are already anemic are advised not to drink strong tea.
2. Individuals with nervous system disorders should be cautious about drinking strong tea. Caffeine in tea stimulates the central nervous system. For individuals with pre-existing nervous system disorders, it is recommended not to drink strong tea before bedtime to avoid worsening insomnia and exacerbating their condition.
3. Patients with coronary heart disease should drink strong tea with caution. For those with conditions such as rapid heartbeat, premature beats, or atrial fibrillation, caffeine and theophylline in tea are stimulants that can increase heart rate. Consuming large quantities of strong tea can exacerbate the condition and increase the risk of adverse events.
4. Hypertensive patients should not drink strong tea. Drinking too much or overly strong tea can cause abnormal blood pressure spikes due to the stimulating effects of caffeine, which is detrimental to health.
5. Those who are drunk should avoid drinking strong tea. Tea itself has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. Drinking strong tea when intoxicated can only further burden the heart. Although drinking tea can accelerate diuresis, it allows harmful aldehydes in alcohol to be excreted through the kidneys without being broken down, which can be very harmful to the kidneys.
6. Pregnant women should avoid drinking tea. Strong tea contains large amounts of polyphenols and caffeine, among other things. For pregnant women, who are in a special period, it is recommended not to drink strong tea for extended periods or at all, as this can negatively affect fetal development and normal cognitive function.