Tea Is Good, But Should Be Lightly Brewed
Drinking tea has a long history in China, where Chinese tea culture is renowned worldwide. Green tea is recognized globally as the top of the six major health-promoting beverages.
Tea offers numerous health benefits such as invigorating the mind, aiding digestion, promoting diuresis, clearing heat, reducing fire, improving eyesight, and preventing cancer. Combined with its refreshing aroma and pleasant taste, whether sipping tea alone or sharing it with friends while chatting, it brings great joy and relaxation. Thus, not only in China—the birthplace of tea—but also in Western countries and Japan, more and more people are embracing tea-drinking habits.
However, though tea is good, it should be lightly brewed.
Just as all diets should be moderate, so too should tea consumption. The concentration of tea directly affects health. In general, light tea is preferable because drinking strong tea harms health.
Drinking too much strong tea damages the stomach. Strong tea dilutes gastric juices, lowering their concentration and impairing normal digestion, leading to indigestion, bloating, abdominal pain, and even duodenal ulcers in those with weak stomachs.
Regular consumption of strong tea increases the burden on the cardiovascular system and kidneys, potentially causing palpitations, chest tightness, frequent urination, urgency, dizziness, and other symptoms. This is because caffeine in strong tea accelerates heart rate and raises blood pressure, thereby increasing strain on the heart and kidneys.
Long-term consumption of strong tea increases fracture risk in the elderly. In 1991, Brown University in the U.S., together with Boston University, discovered that strong tea significantly increases the likelihood of fractures in older adults. Study results showed that individuals drinking five cups of strong tea daily had about 70% higher risk of pelvic fractures compared to those drinking weak tea or no tea at all—some cases even exceeding 80%. In other words, the stronger the tea consumed by the elderly, the greater their risk of fractures.
Drinking strong tea before noon breaks or before bedtime can cause insomnia and impair sleep quality. Tea contains caffeine, which excites the nervous system. Over time, this may lead to neurasthenia.
Strong tea also easily causes constipation. Tannins in tea bind with dietary proteins to form undigestible tannin-protein complexes, leading to constipation. If not corrected promptly, this may increase absorption of toxic and carcinogenic substances.
Drinking strong tea after alcohol consumption is particularly harmful. Some mistakenly believe that strong tea can cure drunkenness. In reality, both alcohol and strong tea stimulate the heart. Combining them worsens cardiac and cardiovascular strain. For those with poor heart function or existing heart disease, the consequences could be disastrous. Thus, drinking strong tea after alcohol does not relieve intoxication—it harms the body.
Additionally, excessive intake of strong tea may lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Tannins in tea bind with iron, hindering the body’s absorption of iron.
In summary, tea is an ideal health beverage suitable for people of all ages. With its unique charm, enjoy it lightly—avoid strong brews.