Everyone knows that drinking tea is good for your health, especially for women, as it has benefits like nourishing the skin and aiding in weight loss. However, it's not suitable to drink tea at all times. Drinking it at the wrong time can have adverse effects on your body.
When women should avoid drinking tea
1. During menstruation
When menstruation arrives each month, a significant amount of iron is lost from the body. Therefore, it's especially important for women to consume more iron-rich vegetables and fruits during this time. However, if you have the habit of drinking tea after a full meal, the tannic acid in the tea, which can be as high as 50%, will hinder the absorption of iron by the intestinal mucosa, greatly reducing the iron absorption rate. This can easily lead to precipitation with iron from food or iron from iron supplements in the intestines.
2. During pregnancy
Pregnant women are also not recommended to drink tea. Strong tea can contain up to 10% caffeine, which can increase urine output and heart rate, adding to the burden on the pregnant woman's heart and kidneys. It may even lead to toxemia of pregnancy, so it's best to limit tea consumption.
3. Late pregnancy
Pregnant women should also avoid drinking too much tea before childbirth. If too much tea is consumed before delivery, the caffeine in the tea can have a stimulating effect, causing insomnia. If a pregnant woman doesn't get enough sleep before delivery, it could lead to exhaustion during childbirth and might even cause dystocia.
4. Postpartum
Mothers who wish to breastfeed should also avoid drinking too much tea. During this period, consuming large amounts of tea can lead to the absorption of high concentrations of tannic acid by the mucous membranes, which in turn affects the blood circulation of the mammary glands and inhibits milk secretion, leading to insufficient breast milk.
5. Lactation period
When a mother drinks tea during the lactation period, the caffeine in the tea can seep into the breast milk and indirectly affect the infant, which is detrimental to the baby's health.
6. Menopause
Women going through menopause may, in addition to dizziness and general fatigue, experience symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, irritability, and poor sleep quality. Drinking too much tea can worsen these symptoms. Therefore, if you enjoy tea and are in this special stage of life, it's best to drink it in moderation.
Best times for women to drink tea
Different teas have different effects, but drinking the right tea at the right time can be highly beneficial for your health. It's best to follow these guidelines for tea consumption:
1. Morning:
Green tea, rich in powerful antioxidants and Vitamin C, not only helps eliminate free radicals in the body, providing anti-aging and anti-cancer benefits, but also stimulates the secretion of hormones that combat stress. Its small amount of caffeine can also stimulate the central nervous system, refreshing the mind.
2. Afternoon:
Chrysanthemum tea, which is good for the eyes and helps clear the liver. Drinking it with goji berries or adding honey can help alleviate irritability.
3. Evening
Goji berry tea, which is rich in beta-carotene, Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, calcium, and iron. It is known to nourish the liver, benefit the kidneys, and improve vision.
4. When working overtime
Cassia seed tea, which has the effects of clearing heat, improving vision, nourishing the brain, calming the liver, and strengthening bones and muscles. If you suffer from constipation, drinking it after dinner can be very effective.
Don'ts of Drinking Tea
1. Avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach, as it can harm the spleen and stomach;
2. Avoid drinking tea that is too hot; it's best below 56°C;
3. Avoid drinking cold tea, as it is considered cold and can cause phlegm buildup;
4. Avoid steeping tea for too long to prevent oxidation and bacterial contamination;
5. Avoid brewing tea too many times, as harmful trace elements are released in the later brews;
6. Avoid drinking tea before meals, as it can dilute stomach acid;
7. Avoid drinking tea immediately after a meal, as the tannic acid in tea can interfere with digestion;
8. Avoid taking medicine with tea, as the tannic acid can affect the medicine's efficacy;
9. Avoid drinking overnight tea, as it can spoil over time.