Tea is a popular drink worldwide, loved for its delicious taste and potential health benefits. However, like everything else, excessive or improper tea drinking can have negative impacts on health. This article will explore common bad tea drinking habits and their effects on your body.
Excessive Tea Drinking
1.1. Effects of Drinking Too Much Tea
Drinking too much tea can lead to several negative health effects, including:
- Sleep Disorders: Tea contains caffeine, a nervous system stimulant. Consuming too much caffeine from tea can cause difficulty sleeping, insomnia, and poor sleep quality.
- Anxiety and Restlessness: Caffeine in tea can increase cortisol levels, the stress hormone, leading to feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and irritability.
- Digestive Issues: Drinking too much of certain types of tea, like black tea, can cause indigestion, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea.
- High Blood Pressure: Caffeine in tea can temporarily increase blood pressure, especially in those sensitive to caffeine.
- Heart Palpitations: Caffeine can increase heart rate, causing feelings of heart palpitations and discomfort.
- Dizziness and Fatigue: Drinking too much tea can lead to feelings of dizziness, fatigue, and body weakness.
1.2. Safe Amount of Tea Consumption
The safe amount of tea consumption varies for each person, depending on factors such as age, weight, health, and caffeine sensitivity. Generally, the recommended caffeine intake limit for adults is 400mg per day. However, you should limit caffeine intake from all sources, including tea, coffee, soda, and chocolate.
1.3. Safe Tea Drinking Practices
To avoid the negative effects of drinking too much tea, you should:
- Drink tea in moderation: Limit to 3-4 cups of tea per day.
- Avoid drinking tea too late in the day: Drinking tea before bed can cause sleep difficulties.
- Drink light tea: Drinking light tea will help reduce caffeine intake.
- Drink green or white tea: These types of tea contain less caffeine than black tea.
- Drink ginger tea: Ginger tea helps reduce nausea and heartburn.
2. Drinking Tea at the Wrong Time
2.1. Avoid Drinking Tea in the Evening
Drinking tea in the evening, especially black tea, can cause sleep difficulties due to the caffeine content in tea. Caffeine can increase nervous system activity, making it difficult to relax and sleep soundly.
2.2. Avoid Drinking Tea Immediately After Meals
Drinking tea immediately after meals can affect the digestion process. Substances in tea can slow down the digestion of food, leading to bloating, indigestion, heartburn, and other digestive issues.
2.3. Avoid Drinking Tea on an Empty Stomach
Drinking tea on an empty stomach can increase the acid levels in your stomach, causing discomfort and stomach pain. Additionally, the caffeine in tea can stimulate the stomach, increasing the risk of stomach ulcers.
2.4. Avoid Drinking Tea When Sick
Drinking tea when sick can be harmful to your health. Caffeine in tea can increase heart rate and blood pressure, especially dangerous for those with cardiovascular diseases.
Table 1: Appropriate Times to Drink Tea
Tea Type | Appropriate Time |
Black, Green | Morning |
Herbal | Evening |
Ginger | When feeling unwell |
3. Improper Tea Preparation
3.1. Using Water That is Too Hot
Drinking tea that is too hot can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, increasing the risk of esophageal cancer. The recommended safe temperature for drinking tea is 60-70°C.
3.2. Using Unclean Teapots
Using unclean teapots can create conditions for bacteria and mold to thrive, contaminating the tea and affecting health. Teapots should be regularly cleaned with dishwashing liquid and hot water.
3.3. Drinking Tea That Has Been Steeped Too Long
Drinking tea that has been steeped too long can make the tea bitter and lose its pleasant flavor. Additionally, overly steeped tea can contain harmful substances. It is best to drink tea immediately after brewing or within 30 minutes.
4. Tea Interacting with Medication
4.1. Some Medications That Interact with Tea
Tea contains substances that can interact with certain medications, causing side effects or reducing the effectiveness of the medication. Some common medications that can interact with tea include:
- Diuretics
- Blood pressure medications
- Anticoagulants
- Cardiovascular medications
- Diabetes medications
4.2. Effects of Tea on Medication Absorption
Tea can affect the absorption of medication in the body. Tannins in tea can combine with components in medications, reducing their absorption.
4.3. Precautions When Drinking Tea with Medication
- Always consult a doctor or pharmacist before drinking tea with medication.
- Avoid drinking tea within 1 hour before or after taking medication.
- Drink plenty of water to help the medication absorb more effectively.
5. Unsafely Prepared Tea
5.1. Tea Prepared with Unverified Ingredients
Tea prepared from unverified ingredients can contain harmful substances and pose health risks. It is best to buy tea from reputable sources with food safety certification.
5.2. Tea Prepared with Sugar, Milk, Cream, Flavorings
Tea prepared with sugar, milk, cream, etc., can contain high calories, sugar, and fat, increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. It is advisable to drink unsweetened or lightly sweetened tea to limit calorie and sugar intake.
5.3. Using Unverified Additives
Tea prepared with additives such as artificial colors, flavorings, etc., from unverified sources can contain harmful substances and affect health. Choose tea prepared with natural, safe additives.
6. Bacterial Contamination in Tea
6.1. Causes of Bacterial Contamination in Tea
Tea can become contaminated due to:
- Using unclean water for brewing.
- Using unclean teapots.
- Improper tea storage.
- Tea exposed to insects or animals.
6.2. Symptoms of Bacterial Contamination from Tea
Bacterial contamination from tea can cause symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
6.3. Preventing Bacterial Contamination in Tea
- Use clean water to brew tea.
- Regularly clean teapots with dishwashing liquid and hot water.
- Store tea in a dry, cool place.
- Do not store tea in containers that have held other beverages.
Conclusion
While drinking tea is generally a healthy habit, improper tea drinking practices can lead to potential risks. To enjoy the benefits of tea safely, pay attention to bad tea drinking habits and adjust your practices accordingly. Drink tea wisely and scientifically to protect your health!