Long ago, ancient people learned to drink Tea. Now, tea has become a national health drink. The benefits of Drinking Tea are well known.

Although tea is a healthy beverage, it is not a panacea. Drinking tea incorrectly can still affect your health. In fact, there are many taboos when drinking tea, and the most commonly violated ones amount to nine.

One taboo is drinking moldy tea

Does it even need to be said if it's already moldy? Moldy tea contains various mycotoxins that could severely impact the functions of internal organs, posing a significant risk to your health.

Many tea enthusiasts who are obsessed with tea have seen their cherished old batches of Ban Zhang tea go moldy due to storage issues. Heartbroken over both the loss of the tea and the money, they are reluctant to throw it away. Some stubbornly brew and drink it, only to end up with an upset stomach. Therefore, no matter how good or expensive the tea, once it has molded, it should be discarded; it's not worth risking your health.

Two taboo is drinking tea left steeped for too long

No type of tea should be left in water for an extended period. After steeping for too long, the concentration of the tea becomes excessively high, and substances that do not easily dissolve in water may also leach out, which can be detrimental to your health. Therefore, even the best tea should be brewed and consumed immediately, and the tea leaves should be separated from the tea infusion.

Three taboo is drinking overnight tea

This issue is akin to asking whether leftover food is safe to eat – even if it were safe, few would want to consume it. Brewed tea that has been left standing for a long time often breeds and multiplies large amounts of bacteria, much like spoiled food, which can irritate the digestive system and cause inflammation. In short, any tea that has been sitting for a while should not be consumed.

Four taboo is drinking scorched tea

“Scorched tea” refers to tea that has been overcooked, resulting in scorched edges and burnt spots on the leaves, giving off a distinct burnt flavor. Such tea loses its nutritional value and may produce carcinogenic substances.

Severely scorched tea, like other charred foods, can generate “3,4-benzopyrene.” Those with some knowledge of chemistry will know that this is a dangerous carcinogen that, when accumulated in the body, can lead to cell mutations and pose a cancer risk.

Therefore, whether considering taste or health, one should avoid drinking scorched tea. However, it can be spread in damp areas to absorb moisture, making it useful in another way.

Five taboo is drinking tea that has absorbed other odors

Tea that has absorbed other odors during storage is called “odor-absorbed tea.” Tea has a strong odor adsorption capacity and can easily absorb foreign odors in environments with unpleasant smells, diminishing its value for consumption. Especially after absorbing toxic odors such as paint, camphor, or the mixed smell of a refrigerator, long-term consumption can harm the respiratory system and cause allergic reactions in the body.

Furthermore, who would want to drink tea with such a pungent odor? Before drinking tea, carefully check if there are any signs of odor absorption.

Six taboo is drinking cold tea

Tea should be consumed warm, as cold tea can lead to cold retention and phlegm accumulation. Long-term consumption can lower gastrointestinal immunity and trigger symptoms such as dampness and cold. Individuals with rheumatism, menstrual pain, gout, chronic digestive diseases, gastritis, enteritis, migraines, pharyngitis, or low immunity should avoid drinking cold tea altogether.

Moreover, for those with weaker constitutions, especially women, not only should cold tea be avoided but also Iced tea. After all, indulging in the summer might make winter less enjoyable.

Seven taboo is drinking overly strong tea

Strong tea contains a large amount of stimulating substances such as Caffeine and theobromine, excessive consumption of which can lead to insomnia, headaches, tinnitus, heart discomfort, and harm to the digestive system. Additionally, a popular folk saying about “drinking tea” mentions that “mild tea drunk warm is most beneficial to health.”

There are many tea drinkers who prefer strong tea, but unless they have robust health, it's advisable to drink it less frequently.

Eight taboo is drinking scalding hot tea

Very hot tea can strongly stimulate the oral cavity, throat, esophagus, and stomach. Tea is typically brewed with hot water, and many experienced tea drinkers particularly enjoy scalding hot tea.

According to foreign research, beverages consumed at temperatures above 62°C can more easily damage the stomach lining and lead to gastric disorders, and there is even a possibility of developing mouth floor cancer. Therefore, it's better to patiently wait for the tea to cool down a bit before drinking it.

Nine taboo is drinking tea on an empty stomach

Drinking tea on an empty stomach can affect the lungs and spleen, irritate the stomach and intestines, leading to loss of appetite and poor digestion. Especially for those who don't usually drink tea, consuming too much or too strong tea on an empty stomach can easily cause “tea drunkenness,” characterized by palpitations, dizziness, weakness in the limbs, and confusion.

If experiencing tea drunkenness, eating something, sucking on candy, or drinking sugary water can help alleviate the symptoms.

For any food item, moderation is key. Just as a soft-spoken girl once said on TV, “Even though [spirits] are good, don't overindulge.” Tea is a healthy beverage, but it does not cure all ailments and isn't suitable for everyone.

Those with severe nervous disorders, gastric ulcers, gastritis, or pregnant women should avoid drinking tea and opt for more suitable beverages instead. Drink according to your physical condition and within your limits!