Drinking Pu'er Tea is a habit for many people, and Pu'er tea is one of the most famous types of tea in China. Rich in various vitamins and trace elements, as well as proteins, amino acids, and minerals, Pu'er tea offers numerous benefits to the body. While drinking Pu'er tea generally does not have significant side effects, consuming it too strong or in excessive amounts can affect health, especially during critical periods. Therefore, being aware of the taboos associated with drinking Pu'er tea is also very important.

Side Effects of Pu'er Tea:

1. Long-term consumption of Pu'er tea can cause calcium loss.

2. Pu'er tea, once absorbed by the body, can easily induce dizziness, palpitations, and weakness in the limbs.

3. It can be harmful to the stomach. Pu'er tea stimulates the gastrointestinal mucosa, particularly new teas, which can be very severe. This can easily trigger swelling and congestion of the gastric mucosa and exacerbate the condition of patients with gastric ulcers, potentially even causing perforation.

Taboos for Drinking Pu'er Tea:

1. Avoid drinking new tea: New tea, due to its short storage time, contains a large amount of unoxidized polyphenols, aldehydes, alcohols, and other substances that can strongly stimulate the gastrointestinal mucosa and easily induce gastric diseases. Therefore, one should drink less new tea and avoid tea stored for less than half a month.

2. Do not drink on an empty stomach: Drinking Tea on an empty stomach dilutes gastric juices, reducing digestive function. The high absorption rate of water can lead to a large amount of undesirable components from the tea entering the bloodstream, causing symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and weakness in the limbs, known as “tea drunkenness.”

3. Do not drink when feverish: Tea contains theophylline, which can increase body temperature. Drinking tea when feverish is akin to “adding fuel to the fire.”

4. Do not drink during menstruation or pregnancy: Drinking tea during menstruation, especially strong tea, can induce or aggravate menstrual syndrome. The high content of tea polyphenols, caffeine, and other substances in tea can be detrimental to fetal development in the womb. To ensure normal fetal brain development and avoid excessive stimulation of the fetus by caffeine, pregnant women should drink less or no tea.

5. Patients with liver disease should not drink tea: Most of the substances in tea, such as caffeine, are metabolized by the liver. If there is liver disease, drinking too much tea beyond the liver's metabolic capacity can damage liver tissue.

6. Insomniacs should not drink tea: Due to the stimulating effect of Pu'er tea, insomniacs should avoid drinking tea before bedtime.

How to Drink Pu'er Tea More Healthily?

1. Choose Good Quality Pu'er Tea

To enjoy healthy Pu'er tea, you first need to choose good quality Pu'er tea. High-quality Pu'er tea should be naturally grown without the use of any chemical fertilizers or pesticides. In addition, good Pu'er tea should have excellent texture and aroma.

2. Control the Amount You Consume

While Pu'er tea has many Health benefits, it also has certain side effects. Overconsumption can easily lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, and other adverse reactions. The daily intake of Pu'er tea should be controlled at around one or two teaspoons.

3. Proper brewing Technique

Proper brewing is key to unleashing the health benefits of Pu'er tea. First, use an appropriate amount of tea leaves and rinse them. Then, brew the Pu'er tea with boiling water, with the Steeping time kept between 1 to 2 minutes. Pour the tea into a cup and drink slowly.

4. Pay Attention to Drinking Time

The timing of drinking Pu'er tea also needs attention. Pu'er tea contains caffeine, and drinking it in the evening or before bedtime can easily cause insomnia. Drink Pu'er tea in the morning or afternoon.

5. Pair with Suitable Foods

Pu'er tea helps promote digestion, and pairing it with suitable foods can better leverage its benefits. For example, pair it with light and easily digestible foods like seafood and vegetables.

Pu'er tea is a type of tea with many health benefits, but to make the most of these benefits, you need to master the correct method of consumption. Choosing good quality Pu'er tea, controlling the amount consumed, proper brewing, paying attention to the drinking time, and pairing with suitable foods are all keys to making Pu'er tea healthier.