Tea Drinking Taboos for the Elderly

Taboos for the Elderly when Drinking Tea

　　Do not drink before or after meals

　　Drinking tea within 20 minutes before or after meals is not advisable, as it will dilute gastric acid and affect food digestion. Drinking tea on an empty stomach can even cause symptoms such as palpitations, headaches, dizziness, and restlessness, and can also lead to gastric mucositis. The correct approach is to drink tea one hour after meals, sipping slowly and replenishing with water two to three times.

　　Do not drink in large quantities

　　Intake of a large amount of liquid into the blood vessels can increase the burden on the heart. In addition, the caffeine and theophylline in tea are both stimulants, which can accelerate heart rate and increase blood pressure. Elderly people with poor cardiac function, especially those with coronary heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, and hypertension, may experience discomfort such as chest tightness and palpitations from drinking too much tea. Moreover, drinking a large amount of strong tea can dilute gastric acid and decrease its concentration, leading to symptoms such as indigestion, bloating, and abdominal pain. This is especially important for elderly people with poor stomach conditions.

　　Do not drink strong tea

　　Tea contains tannic acid, which reacts with iron in food to form insoluble substances that are difficult to absorb. Drinking strong tea regularly can hinder iron absorption, especially for elderly people with iron-deficiency anemia. Compared to weak tea, strong tea also contains higher levels of caffeine, which can lead to accelerated heart rate and arrhythmia. It is recommended to use about 2 grams of tea leaves per brewing.

　　Do not drink before bedtime

　　Tea has a refreshing and diuretic effect. Elderly people often experience varying degrees of sleep disorders, so it is advisable not to drink tea in the evening to avoid the stimulation of wakefulness, increased urination, and the impact on sleep quality. It is not advisable to drink tea within 2 hours before bedtime, and if thirsty, it is recommended to drink plain water instead.

　　Do not drink overnight tea

　　It is best to drink freshly brewed tea. If tea is left for too long, not only will the health benefits be weakened, but the taste will also be compromised. If the brewed tea is left for too long, it will oxidize and promote microbial growth, which can be harmful to the body.

　　Do not drink when taking medication

　　The tannins and alkaloids in tea can react with certain medications. In particular, elderly individuals taking sedatives, tranquilizers, iron supplements, enzyme preparations, protein-containing medications, etc., should not take tea with their medication to avoid interfering with the medication's effectiveness. Additionally, certain Chinese herbal medicines such as ginseng, dangshen, yuanhu, mandala, niuxi, ma huang, gou teng, and huanglian should not be mixed with tea.

　　Drinking tea in moderation is beneficial to the body. Different types of tea contain active ingredients that can lower blood pressure, blood lipids, promote diuresis and digestion, refresh the mind, protect against radiation, and prevent and fight against cancer. It is a good health drink. Regular tea consumption by the elderly does have benefits, such as softening blood vessels, clearing heat, antibacterial effects, and lowering blood pressure. However, it is important to avoid overly strong tea and not to drink overnight tea. Furthermore, if there are gastrointestinal diseases, it is best to avoid tea consumption, as tea contains tannins that can irritate the stomach.