Chinese people have the habit of drinking tea. Besides the delicious aroma, tea is a healthy beverage because recent research has found that certain components of tea contribute to health maintenance. While there are many benefits to drinking tea, there are also some precautions to be aware of. Therefore, you should understand how to drink tea wisely.
Catechins are the most important polyphenol components in tea. Research reports indicate that catechins have multiple functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, reducing the risk of heart disease, preventing cancer, lowering blood lipids, reducing body fat formation, antibacterial, altering the gut microbiome, and eliminating odors. Currently, commercially available 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 do not contain much catechin, 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, the following points should be noted. 1. Avoid drinking tea immediately after a meal
Because tea tannins reduce iron absorption, drinking tea during or after a meal can easily reduce the absorption of dietary iron by as much as 65%. 2. Do not take medicine with tea
Tannins in tea 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 in hot water for too long
Tannins are released over time. Avoid drinking tea that has been steeped in hot water for too long, which is the reason not to drink overnight tea. 4. Cold-brewed tea
Cold-brewed tea is not suitable for caffeine-sensitive individuals, pregnant women, children, people with heart disease, or patients with ulcers. However, studies have shown that after 12 hours of cold brewing, the caffeine content of the tea is only one-third of that of tea brewed in hot water for 5 minutes. If you really want to drink tea, you might as well try cold-brewed tea with less caffeine. 5. Not suitable as a supplement 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 drinks on the market come with sugar, half-sugar, and no-sugar options. Be especially careful when consuming them. Drinking sugary tea drinks increases calorie intake, and it is not recommended for people with diabetes, high blood lipids, or those trying to lose weight. 7. Pay attention to non-dairy creamer and creamer balls
For Western-style milk tea, it is recommended to use low-fat fresh milk instead of non-dairy creamer or creamer balls to avoid excessive calorie intake. 8. Pay attention to storage
Flower and fruit teas require special attention to 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, but regardless of the type of tea, the expiration date must be noted. 9. Consume in moderation
According to studies on cancer prevention, drinking 150ml of tea daily provides health benefits. Currently, certified canned health tea drinks suggest drinking 650 to 1200ml to achieve the labeled effects. However, it is best to determine the intake amount based on individual circumstances. If drinking tea affects sleep or causes discomfort, do not force yourself to drink it.