Eight Tea Facts You Should Know

1. Can drinking tea reduce the harm of smoking?

Smoking narrows blood vessels, raises blood pressure, accelerates arteriosclerosis, and depletes vitamin C, speeding up aging. Drinking green tea regularly can help enhance the body's resistance and inhibit carcinogens in cigarettes. So, while tea can't eliminate the harm of smoking, it can help reduce it.

2. Can you drink tea immediately after a meal?

It’s best not to drink tea immediately after eating. Doing so can dilute stomach acid, increase digestive burden, and potentially lead to digestive issues. The ideal time to drink tea is about an hour after a meal. Green tea, floral tea, and oolong tea are good choices.

3. Is it safe to drink tea that's been left overnight?

There is a misconception that overnight tea contains carcinogens like nitrosamines. In reality, tea polyphenols and vitamin C act as natural nitrosamine inhibitors, so overnight tea is generally safe if it hasn’t spoiled. However, if tea has been exposed to air for too long and has gone sour, its content of tea polyphenols and vitamin C decreases significantly, making it unsuitable for drinking. It's best to drink freshly brewed tea.

4. Can you use tea to take medication?

Tea should not be used to take medication. The compounds in tea can interact chemically with medications, potentially reducing their effectiveness or causing harm. Avoid drinking tea within two hours before or after taking medication.

5. Can children drink tea?

Moderate tea consumption can be beneficial for children. Tea can aid digestion, and fluoride in tea helps prevent tooth decay. Additionally, tea has diuretic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial.

6. Can women drink tea during menstruation?

Women should avoid strong tea during their menstrual period. The tea polyphenols and caffeine in tea can stimulate the cardiovascular and nervous systems, potentially leading to increased menstrual pain, heavier bleeding, longer periods, and iron deficiency anemia. It’s better to avoid tea or drink it in moderation. If drinking tea, opt for lighter varieties or consult a doctor for appropriate herbal teas.

7. Can pregnant women drink tea?

Pregnant women can drink tea in moderation, but it’s best to choose lighter, less concentrated teas. Avoid strong tea as it contains more caffeine, which can affect fetal development and increase the burden on the kidneys, potentially causing palpitations, insomnia, and other discomforts.

8. Is it okay to drink tea after consuming alcohol?

Tea stimulates the central nervous system, and drinking strong tea after alcohol can increase heart strain. Tea also has a diuretic effect, which can hasten the excretion of alcohol from the body and place additional stress on the kidneys. Those with heart or kidney issues should avoid drinking tea after alcohol, especially strong tea. Healthy individuals can have a small amount of light tea if desired.