Drinking Tea in These Ways Can Harm Your Health
Drinking Tea in These Ways Can Harm Your Health
Tea culture is an essential part of traditional Chinese culture, and it holds a significant place in traditional wellness practices. While drinking the right tea can have health benefits, there are certain teas that should be avoided as they can harm your health. So, which teas should you steer clear of?
Seven Types of Tea You Should Avoid:
Scalding Tea
Tea that is too hot can be harsh on your throat, esophagus, and stomach, causing irritation. Prolonged consumption of excessively hot tea can damage the stomach lining and lead to organ issues. It's best to drink tea at a temperature not exceeding 70 degrees Celsius, with around 50 degrees Celsius being the most suitable.
Cold Tea
Cold tea lacks aroma, tends to have a bitter taste, and has likely been left for an hour or more, leading to oxidation. Drinking cold tea has a chilling effect on the body and can result in side effects like coughing and phlegm buildup.
Repeatedly Brewed Tea
After the first steeping, tea leaves typically release about 55% of their soluble content; the second steeping yields approximately 30%; the third steeping only gives around 10%; and by the fourth steeping, there's barely 1%-3% left. Vitamins C and amino acids in tea are already 80% released during the first steeping, and over 95% are released during the second steeping. After three steepings, the nutritional value is nearly depleted. Prolonged steeping of tea can also lead to the extraction of harmful substances like heavy metals, especially detrimental to the kidneys.
Overnight Tea
Tea leaves contain a significant amount of protein, most of which is not soluble in hot water and remains in the leaves. When the water temperature is high, proteins on the tea leaves can deteriorate. After sitting overnight, enzymatic reactions occur, and the remaining tannic acid in the tea becomes an irritating and strong oxidizing substance, causing inflammation in the digestive tract. Therefore, it's not advisable to consume tea that has been left overnight.
Strong Tea
Strong tea contains higher levels of caffeine and is more stimulating. It can be harsh on the stomach and kidneys, leading to issues like insomnia and headaches. This is especially unsuitable for individuals with conditions like hypertension, gastritis, anemia, or heart problems.
Spoiled Tea
Tea can spoil if not stored properly and may become moldy. Some people may be reluctant to discard spoiled tea due to their love for tea or to avoid waste. Spoiled tea contains harmful substances and bacteria and should never be consumed. Even high-quality tea, if left unused for too long, can become spoiled due to oxidation and microbial growth, making it unsafe to drink.
Raw Tea Is Not Suitable for the Elderly
Raw tea refers to green tea that is dried directly without undergoing the kneading process after withering. This type of tea retains its natural green color and contains compounds similar to fresh leaves. It has a low boiling point, and the aldehydes and alcohols it contains can be irritating. Drinking this type of green tea can be harsh on the stomach lining, causing stomachaches, especially in the elderly. Even young individuals might feel discomfort in their stomachs after consuming it, often referred to as a "stomach upset."
To enjoy the health benefits of tea, it's essential to choose the right type of tea and prepare it correctly, while also being mindful of factors like temperature and storage to avoid potential health risks.
Tea culture is an essential part of traditional Chinese culture, and it holds a significant place in traditional wellness practices. While drinking the right tea can have health benefits, there are certain teas that should be avoided as they can harm your health. So, which teas should you steer clear of?
Seven Types of Tea You Should Avoid:
Scalding Tea
Tea that is too hot can be harsh on your throat, esophagus, and stomach, causing irritation. Prolonged consumption of excessively hot tea can damage the stomach lining and lead to organ issues. It's best to drink tea at a temperature not exceeding 70 degrees Celsius, with around 50 degrees Celsius being the most suitable.
Cold Tea
Cold tea lacks aroma, tends to have a bitter taste, and has likely been left for an hour or more, leading to oxidation. Drinking cold tea has a chilling effect on the body and can result in side effects like coughing and phlegm buildup.
Repeatedly Brewed Tea
After the first steeping, tea leaves typically release about 55% of their soluble content; the second steeping yields approximately 30%; the third steeping only gives around 10%; and by the fourth steeping, there's barely 1%-3% left. Vitamins C and amino acids in tea are already 80% released during the first steeping, and over 95% are released during the second steeping. After three steepings, the nutritional value is nearly depleted. Prolonged steeping of tea can also lead to the extraction of harmful substances like heavy metals, especially detrimental to the kidneys.
Overnight Tea
Tea leaves contain a significant amount of protein, most of which is not soluble in hot water and remains in the leaves. When the water temperature is high, proteins on the tea leaves can deteriorate. After sitting overnight, enzymatic reactions occur, and the remaining tannic acid in the tea becomes an irritating and strong oxidizing substance, causing inflammation in the digestive tract. Therefore, it's not advisable to consume tea that has been left overnight.
Strong Tea
Strong tea contains higher levels of caffeine and is more stimulating. It can be harsh on the stomach and kidneys, leading to issues like insomnia and headaches. This is especially unsuitable for individuals with conditions like hypertension, gastritis, anemia, or heart problems.
Spoiled Tea
Tea can spoil if not stored properly and may become moldy. Some people may be reluctant to discard spoiled tea due to their love for tea or to avoid waste. Spoiled tea contains harmful substances and bacteria and should never be consumed. Even high-quality tea, if left unused for too long, can become spoiled due to oxidation and microbial growth, making it unsafe to drink.
Raw Tea Is Not Suitable for the Elderly
Raw tea refers to green tea that is dried directly without undergoing the kneading process after withering. This type of tea retains its natural green color and contains compounds similar to fresh leaves. It has a low boiling point, and the aldehydes and alcohols it contains can be irritating. Drinking this type of green tea can be harsh on the stomach lining, causing stomachaches, especially in the elderly. Even young individuals might feel discomfort in their stomachs after consuming it, often referred to as a "stomach upset."
To enjoy the health benefits of tea, it's essential to choose the right type of tea and prepare it correctly, while also being mindful of factors like temperature and storage to avoid potential health risks.
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