During the scorching summer months, tea becomes a preferred beverage for cooling down. Due to the heat, people tend to sweat more, and this excessive sweating can deplete the body of potassium, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, headaches, poor appetite, and lethargy.
However, tea contains a significant amount of potassium, approximately 1.5%, making it both a refreshing drink and a way to replenish lost potassium.
Through analysis, it has been identified that tea contains over 500 compounds, some of which are essential nutrients for the human body.
The Vitamin C content in tea is roughly 0.5%, which is effective in preventing scurvy.
Additionally, tea is rich in various B-vitamins, particularly high in B5, which can help prevent conditions like pellagra and other skin diseases. It also has a high concentration of Vitamin E, which inhibits the oxidation of lipids in the body and has anti-aging effects.
It also contains Vitamin K, which promotes the liver's synthesis of coagulation factors.
Besides these vitamins, daily tea consumption can also provide proteins and amino acids necessary for the body.
According to relevant data, the polyphenols in tea (mainly catechins) have benefits in the prevention and supportive treatment of various cancers, including gastric and colorectal cancer.
It is important to note that while everyone knows alcohol can intoxicate, few realize that tea can do so as well.
Those who have consumed strong or large quantities of tea may have experienced symptoms such as allergies, Insomnia, trembling hands and feet, weakness, and nausea. These symptoms indicate “tea intoxication.”
The culprit behind these symptoms is caffeine, an excitatory substance found in tea. Consuming too much can strongly stimulate the central nervous system, causing “tea intoxication.”
Therefore, when drinking tea during the summer, consider the following:
Do Not Drink Too Strong
Since tea contains caffeine, drinking several cups of strong tea can result in large amounts of caffeine being absorbed into the bloodstream, causing dizziness, headaches, hypersensitivity, nervous excitement, and even muscle tremors, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and other symptoms known as “tea intoxication.”
In particular, those who primarily eat a vegetarian diet with little fat intake and those without a regular tea-drinking habit are more prone to experiencing “tea intoxication” if they consume large quantities of strong tea.
Do Not Drink Too Much
While tea contains multiple vitamins and amino acids and can aid in clearing oils, stimulating the nervous system, and promoting Digestion and urination, it is not always true that more is better. Drinking too much tea can cause accumulation in the intestines, hindering diaphragmatic movement and affecting normal absorption.
Additionally, the rapid increase in fluid volume can put a strain on the heart, potentially causing abnormal heart and lung function, especially for elderly individuals with poor cardiac function.
Generally speaking, drinking 1-2 times a day, with 2-3 grams of tea per serving, is considered appropriate.
Avoid Drinking on an Empty Stomach
Drinking tea on an empty stomach dilutes gastric acid, reducing digestive function. Since tea is brewed with Water, and there is increased sweating in hot weather, the more you drink, the more water you lose through sweat, leading to a loss of salts. This can create a vicious cycle where the more tea you drink, the more salt you lose, eventually causing an imbalance in the body's osmotic pressure and symptoms such as weakness in the limbs and confusion, which can lead to acidosis.
Green Tea is Ideal
During hot weather, the body's metabolism is very active, and there is a lot of sweating. Therefore, green tea is recommended. Green tea is unfermented and contains significantly more Vitamin C and polyphenols than black tea.
Green tea is particularly effective in cooling the body and reducing heat. On the other hand, black tea is warmer in nature and is more suitable for winter consumption. Freshly harvested tea less than one month old should be avoided, as the polyphenols and other components have not undergone sufficient oxidation, which can irritate the stomach and intestinal mucosa, leading to stomach pain and bloating after consumption.
Drink According to Your Individual Needs
Individuals with conditions such as neurasthenia, insomnia, hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, heart disease, gastric disorders, and peptic ulcers should avoid drinking tea. Nursing mothers, pregnant women, and infants should also refrain from drinking tea.
In cases of “tea intoxication,” do not panic; immediately consume some food, sweets, or candies, which can help alleviate the symptoms. If the symptoms are severe, such as palpitations, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing, seek medical attention promptly. If unsure whether the symptoms are due to “tea intoxication,” provide detailed information about your dietary and activity patterns for the day, allowing a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis based on the specific circumstances.
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