Chinese people have the habit of drinking tea. Besides the delicious aroma, tea is a healthy beverage because recent studies have found that certain components of tea contribute to health maintenance. Although there are many benefits to drinking tea, there are also some points to note, so you should understand how to drink tea wisely.
Catechins are the most important polyphenol components in tea. Research reports indicate that catechins have multiple effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, reducing the risk of heart disease, preventing cancer, lowering blood lipids, reducing body fat formation, antibacterial, altering intestinal flora ecology, and eliminating odors. Currently, tea drinks labeled as health foods mainly cite the physiological functions of catechins.
The content of polyphenols decreases as the degree of fermentation increases. However, some studies have pointed out that although fermented teas contain fewer catechins, their ability to lower blood lipids and delay oxidation is still high, suggesting that there may be other antioxidant components yet to be identified. Although drinking tea has many benefits, there are still a few things to pay attention to. 1. Avoid drinking tea immediately after a meal
Because tannins reduce iron absorption, drinking tea during or after a meal can easily reduce the absorption of dietary iron, and the reduction rate can be as high as 65%. 2. Do not take medicine with tea
Tannins can form precipitates with certain medications, affecting their efficacy. For example, iron supplements, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, and tetracycline antibiotics can be adsorbed by the tannic acid and alkaloids in tea, reducing the body's absorption of these drugs. 3. Avoid steeping for too long
The longer the steeping time, the more tannins are released. Avoid drinking tea that has been steeped in hot water for too long, which is why you shouldn't drink overnight tea. 4. Cold-brewed tea
Caffeine-sensitive individuals, pregnant women, children, people with heart disease, and patients with ulcers should not drink tea. However, studies have shown that after cold-brewing for 12 hours, the caffeine content of the tea is only one-third of that of tea hot-brewed for 5 minutes. If you really want to drink tea, you might as well try cold-brewed tea, which has less caffeine. 5. Not suitable for replenishing fluids after exercise or during fluid loss
Tea has a diuretic effect and is not suitable for replenishing fluids after exercise or during fluid loss. 6. Be careful with sugar
Popular tea beverages on the market come with sugar, half-sugar, and no-sugar options. Be especially careful when drinking them. Drinking sweetened tea beverages increases calories, and it is not recommended for people with diabetes, high blood lipids, or those trying to lose weight. 7. Pay attention to non-dairy creamers and creamer balls
For Western-style milk tea, it is recommended to use low-fat fresh milk instead of non-dairy creamers or creamer balls to avoid excessive calorie intake. 8. Pay attention to storage
Flower and fruit teas need special attention in storage because the fruit particles contain more moisture and are prone to mold growth due to dampness. Using desiccants or storing them in the refrigerator are good options. However, all types of tea must pay attention to their shelf life. 9. Moderate intake
According to cancer prevention studies, drinking 150ml of tea daily has health benefits. Currently, certified canned health tea drinks recommend drinking 650 to 1200ml to achieve the labeled effects. However, it is best to determine the intake based on individual circumstances. If drinking tea affects sleep or causes discomfort, do not force yourself to drink it.