The Art of Tea: Benefits, Restrictions, and Brewing Tips

Often you can see scenes like this, where someone has a big teacup filled with tea leaves, and they don't know how long it has been steeping. They take a sip from time to time. Let's not discuss how long they have steeped it for, but it is definitely strong. Many people drink tea for the bitter taste, as the stronger the flavor, the more invigorating it feels. Otherwise, tea without taste would be meaningless. However, some people cannot drink tea.

What are the benefits of drinking tea regularly?

1. Improves muscle endurance.

Research has found that tea contains an antioxidant called "catechin" that can increase the body's ability to burn fat, improve muscle endurance, and help fight fatigue, allowing for longer periods of physical exercise. Green tea is particularly effective.

2. Resists UV rays.

Tea polyphenols are water-soluble substances. Washing the face with tea can remove facial oil, shrink pores, and have disinfectant, bactericidal, and anti-aging effects. It can also reduce the damage caused by UV rays in sunlight, acting as a natural "sunscreen".

3. Protects against radiation.

Foreign studies have shown that tea polyphenols and their oxidized products can absorb some radioactive substances, protect cells from radiation damage, and help repair damaged cells. Clinical studies have shown that tea extracts can effectively treat mild radiation sickness caused by radiation therapy in tumor patients, such as reducing blood cell and leukocyte counts.

What types of people should not drink tea?

1. People with iron deficiency anemia: Tannic acid in tea can affect the absorption of iron in the body, aggravating anemia.

2. People with neurasthenia or insomnia: The caffeine in tea has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, which can worsen neurasthenia or insomnia.

3. Patients with active gastric ulcers: Caffeine stimulates gastric acid secretion, aggravating the condition and affecting ulcer healing.

4. People with urinary stones: The oxalic acid in tea can increase the formation of stones.

5. People with impaired liver function: Most of the caffeine is metabolized by the liver. Drinking tea with impaired liver function will increase the burden on the liver.

6. People with constipation: Tannic acid in tea has an astringent effect, can weaken intestinal peristalsis, and worsen constipation.

7. People with heart disease: Drinking too much tea can accelerate heart rate and even cause arrhythmia.

8. People who are intoxicated: Alcohol has a significant cardiovascular stimulus, and caffeine can increase heart rate. The combination of the two is very dangerous for those with poor heart function.

What should not be eaten after drinking tea?

1. Do not eat eggs after drinking tea.

Eggs are high-protein foods. Tea contains a lot of tannic acid, which reacts with the protein in food to form indigestible coagulants, affecting the absorption of protein by the body. The combination of tea and eggs can stimulate the stomach and lead to anemia. Eating tea eggs excessively can cause calcium deficiency and osteoporosis, which is not beneficial to health.

2. Do not eat crabs after drinking tea.

Do not drink tea within one hour before or after eating crabs. Tea can dilute gastric acid and make certain components in crabs coagulate, which is not conducive to digestion and absorption and may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.

3. Do not eat white sugar after drinking tea.

Tea has a bitter and cold taste. People drink tea to stimulate the secretion of digestive glands and enhance digestion. Adding sugar to tea will inhibit this function.

What tea-drinking habits are harmful to the body?

1. Drinking strong tea.

Strong tea contains more caffeine and theophylline, which can cause headaches and insomnia. It can also cause rapid heartbeat, which is not good for patients with tachycardia, premature beats, and atrial fibrillation. Women should especially avoid drinking strong tea during menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation.

2. Drinking excessively hot tea.

Excessively high temperatures can cause strong irritation to the throat, esophagus, and stomach, and long-term consumption of excessively hot tea may cause diseases in these organs. Research shows that people who regularly drink tea above 62℃ are more likely to damage their gastric walls and develop gastric diseases.

3. Reusing tea leaves for multiple brews.

The first brew of tea can extract 50% of the total soluble substances, the second brew can extract 30%, the third brew 10%, and the fourth brew only 1-3%. Reusing tea leaves can also extract some harmful substances, as these substances tend to be released in the last brew. Therefore, it is not recommended to reuse tea leaves.

What should beginners pay attention to when brewing tea?

1. Avoid using a thermos to brew tea.

Tea should be brewed in a ceramic teapot or cup, not a thermos. Brewing tea in a thermos keeps the tea at a high temperature for a long time, causing some aromatic oils to evaporate, reducing the flavor. Excessive tannic acid and caffeine are also extracted, making the tea taste bitter and losing some nutritional value.

2. Use boiling water to brew tea.

Using boiling water to brew tea can destroy many nutrients. For example, vitamin C and P will be destroyed when the water temperature exceeds 80℃, and excessive tannic acid will be dissolved, making the tea taste bitter. Therefore, the water temperature for brewing tea should generally be between 70℃-80℃. This is especially true for green tea, as too high a temperature can turn the tea leaves brown, losing the original fragrance and refreshing taste.

3. Do not brew tea for too long.

The best time to drink tea is after 4-6 minutes of steeping, as at this point, 80% of the caffeine and 60% of other soluble substances have been extracted. Steeping tea for too long will make the tea taste bitter. Tea that has been boiled or kept warm for a long time can undergo chemical changes and should not be consumed.

4. Do not throw away the steeped tea leaves.

Most people throw away the tea leaves after brewing tea. In fact, this is wasteful. The tea leaves should be chewed and swallowed because they contain a lot of carotene, dietary fiber, and other nutrients.