A cup of hot tea and a newspaper is a pleasant life for many seniors in their later years. Tea has the effects of refreshing the mind and eliminating fatigue. However, for seniors to drink tea for health, it is best to follow several principles: "light is good, moderate is best, drink less after meals, do not drink before bed, drink it as soon as it's brewed, and do not drink when taking medication."
Don't drink in large quantities
A large amount of liquid entering the blood vessels will加重 the burden on the heart. Coupled with the caffeine and theophylline in tea, which are stimulants, they can speed up the human heartbeat and raise blood pressure. Seniors have poorer heart function, especially those with coronary heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, or high blood pressure. Drinking too much tea can cause discomfort symptoms such as chest tightness and palpitations. In addition, drinking large amounts of strong tea can dilute gastric juice, reduce its concentration, and thus lead to symptoms such as indigestion, bloating, and abdominal pain. Seniors with poor stomachs should pay special attention.
Don't drink strong tea
Many seniors like strong tea. However, tea contains tannic acid, which reacts with the iron in food to form a substance that is difficult to dissolve. Therefore, drinking strong tea often can hinder iron absorption. Seniors with iron-deficiency anemia should pay special attention. Compared to light tea, strong tea also contains excessive caffeine, which can cause a rapid heartbeat and arrhythmia. It is recommended to use about 2 grams of tea leaves per brewing.
Don't drink before or after meals
It is not advisable to drink tea about 20 minutes before or after a meal, as it will dilute gastric juice and affect food digestion. Drinking tea on an empty stomach can even cause "tea intoxication" symptoms such as palpitations, headache, dizziness, and irritability. In severe cases, it can also lead to gastric mucositis. The correct approach is to drink tea one hour after a meal, sip it slowly, and refill the water two to three times.
Osmanthus Tea — For Health
Don't drink before bed
Tea has a refreshing, stimulating, and diuretic effect. Seniors often have varying degrees of sleep disorders, so it is best not to drink tea at night to avoid excitement, insomnia, and frequent urination, which can affect sleep quality. It is not advisable to drink tea within 2 hours before bed. If thirsty, switch to drinking plain water.
Don't drink overnight tea
It is best to drink tea as soon as it is brewed. Not only do the health-preserving components of tea diminish over time, but the taste also greatly deteriorates. If left for too long after brewing, the tea can spoil due to oxidation and microbial growth, which is harmful to the body. Therefore, you should never drink overnight tea.
Don't drink when taking medication
The tannins and theophylline in tea can have chemical reactions with certain drugs. Especially for seniors taking hypnotic, sedative, iron-containing blood-tonifying drugs, enzyme preparations, and protein-containing drugs, it is not advisable to take them with tea water to avoid affecting the drug's efficacy. In addition, traditional Chinese medicines such as Ginseng, Dangshen, Corydalis, Datura, Cyathula root, Ephedra, Uncaria, and Coptis should not be mixed with tea water.
In addition, it should be reminded that the following groups of seniors should not drink tea. Tea can increase the basal metabolic rate, so elderly patients with hyperthyroidism should not drink tea. The tannic acid in tea can affect the human body's absorption of iron and protein, so people with malnutrition and iron-deficiency anemia should not drink tea. Elderly people with severe arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure should not drink strong tea when their condition is unstable.
Cinnamon tea