Uncle Wu (pseudonym) is a retired old man who likes to drink tea, and he will make several pots of good tea every day to enjoy a moment of leisure. Recently, however, he has started to feel an upset stomach and often has reflux of acids, which bothers him. In order to solve this problem, Uncle Wu decided to go to the hospital to consult Dr. Sun, a professional gastroenterologist. Dr. Sun patiently listened to Uncle Wu's description and learned more about his eating habits and lifestyle.
Dr. Sun explained, "Uncle Wu, you drink tea regularly, and the caffeine and polyphenols in tea may irritate the stomach and cause symptoms of acid reflux. Especially for older people, the stomach may be more sensitive. ”
Uncle Wu listened to Dr. Sun's explanation and understood a little in his heart. He admits that the amount of tea he drinks has indeed increased a bit recently, as he has more time to make tea and taste tea after retirement. But he didn't want to give up that preference either.
Dr. Sun gave suggestions to solve the problem: "Uncle Wu, I suggest that you properly control the amount and time of drinking tea, especially at night before going to bed. Alternatively, you can opt for some decaffeinated teas or dilute them with strong tea to reduce stomach irritation. ”
After listening to Dr. Sun's advice, Uncle Wu decided to change his tea drinking habits. He began to control the amount and timing of tea drinking, and chose some decaffeinated teas. Gradually, his stomach discomfort was relieved.
Composition of tea and its effects on the body
Tea polyphenols: Tea polyphenols are one of the most important components in tea, which has a strong antioxidant effect, helps to scavenge free radicals, and prevents aging, cancer and other diseases. However, excessive intake of tea polyphenols may irritate the stomach, leading to stomach pain, acid reflux and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Caffeine: The caffeine in tea is a stimulant that refreshes the mind, enhances concentration and memory. Moderate intake of caffeine can improve mood and increase metabolic rate, but excessive intake can lead to problems such as nervous excitement, insomnia, and heart palpitations.
Amino acids: The amino acids in tea, especially theanine and tea polypeptides, have the effect of regulating the nervous system, reducing fatigue, improving immunity, etc., and helping to maintain physical and mental health.
Vitamins: Tea is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin E, which help to enhance immunity, promote metabolism, and delay aging.
In general, drinking tea in moderation is beneficial to the body, but excessive or improper consumption may bring some adverse effects. Therefore, when drinking tea, we should pay attention to the appropriate amount, and choose the appropriate tea type and drinking method according to personal physique and health status to achieve the purpose of health.
Recommendations for drinking tea
Control the amount you drink: Although tea contains a variety of beneficial ingredients, excessive consumption can increase the burden on the body, especially on the stomach and cardiovascular system. It is recommended to drink no more than 3-4 cups of tea per day to avoid adverse effects.
Choose the right time: The timing of tea is also important. In the morning, it is suitable to drink fresh and refreshing green tea, which can refresh the mind; After lunch, you can choose oolong tea or pu-erh tea, which helps to promote digestion; It is best not to drink tea at night so as not to affect the quality of sleep.
Pay attention to the type of tea: Different kinds of tea have different effects on the body. Green tea is rich in tea polyphenols, which are suitable for clearing heat and quenching thirst; Black tea and oolong tea are high in caffeine, which is good for refreshing the mind; Pu-erh tea is fermented to aid digestion and absorption. Choose the right tea according to your own situation.
Avoid drinking on an empty stomach: It is best to drink tea half an hour after eating, and avoid drinking on an empty stomach, so as not to irritate the gastric mucosa and cause stomach discomfort.
Add condiments as appropriate: If the taste of the tea is too strong or bitter, you can add lemon slices, honey and other condiments in moderation to improve the taste and increase the pleasure of drinking.
Drinking tea reasonably has certain benefits for maintaining good health, but it is necessary to pay attention to the choice of quantity, timing and type of drinking, as well as avoiding drinking on an empty stomach, in order to bring out the best effect of tea and avoid adverse effects.
Disadvantages of drinking too much tea
Drinking tea in moderation is good for your health, but excessive consumption may have adverse health effects, especially for middle-aged and elderly people.
Affect stomach health: Tea polyphenols and caffeine in tea, if consumed in excess, may irritate the gastric mucosa, cause stomach discomfort, pain and other problems, and even aggravate the symptoms of stomach problems.
Affect cardiovascular health: Caffeine is a major ingredient in tea, and excessive intake may cause adverse reactions such as heart palpitations and increased blood pressure, which can burden the cardiovascular system and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Affect sleep quality: If you drink too much tea at night, the caffeine in tea can stimulate the nervous system, leading to insomnia or decreased sleep quality, affecting the rest and recovery function of the body.
Affect digestive function: Theophylline and other components in tea may promote gastrointestinal peristalsis and accelerate the speed of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
Although tea is rich in nutrients and health benefits, excessive consumption may have a negative impact on physical health, especially for middle-aged and elderly people. Controlling the amount of tea to drink, choosing the right time and type of tea, and avoiding drinking on an empty stomach are the keys to maintaining good health. Let's enjoy the delicious taste of tea at the same time, but also pay attention to physical health, so that we can drink tea moderately and live a healthy life.