Pu'er tea is a popular type of tea in China. From a Traditional Chinese medicine perspective, Pu'er tea has a relatively gentle nature and can effectively clear damp heat from the liver and gallbladder. Drinking Pu'er tea regularly can help alleviate irritability and may relieve symptoms of certain skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis. Since Pu'er tea can clear liver fire, it can also help with clinical symptoms such as bad breath and dry mouth. From an experimental standpoint, Pu'er tea contains potent antioxidants that can eliminate free radicals and reduce the content of unsaturated fatty acids, thereby decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The benefits and effects of Pu'er tea

One: Nourishing and protecting the stomach

Modern research confirms that drinking aged Pu'er tea or ripe Pu'er tea in moderation can warm the stomach. This indicates that Pu'er tea has high medicinal value. Scientific studies show that, in addition to sharing common functions with other teas, modern research confirms that Pu'er tea has more prominent therapeutic effects in the following areas: nourishing and protecting the stomach. Under appropriate concentration, drinking mild Pu'er tea does not stimulate the stomach. The viscous, smooth, and rich Pu'er tea forms a protective layer when it enters the human stomach, adhering to the stomach lining and creating a beneficial protective layer for the stomach. Long-term consumption of Pu'er tea can nourish and protect the stomach.

Two: Lowering blood pressure

Pu'er tea contains substances like tea polyphenols, vitamin C, and vitamin P, which are effective in lowering blood pressure. Taking tea polyphenols as an example, they can directly act on capillaries and improve capillary function; they can significantly inhibit the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme, thus lowering blood pressure.

Three: Weight loss and lipid-lowering

The tea polyphenols in Pu'er tea can significantly inhibit the increase in cholesterol and triglycerides (main components of blood lipids) within the body, promote the excretion of lipophilic compounds, and improve the elasticity of capillary walls. Therefore, Pu'er tea plays an important role in preventing and controlling atherosclerosis, hypertension, and obesity.

Four: Anti-aging

Studies have shown that lipid peroxidation is one of the mechanisms of human aging. Pu'er tea contains substances like vitamin C, vitamin E, tea polyphenols, amino acids, and trace elements, which have antioxidant properties and can slow down the aging process. Thus, Pu'er tea is known as longevity tea.

Five: Deep detoxification

Pu'er tea has effects like quenching thirst, relieving summer heat, detoxifying, and promoting bowel movements. Therefore, regular consumption of Pu'er tea can regulate the digestive system and restore normal function.

Precautions for drinking Pu'er tea

1. Drinking strong Pu'er tea on an empty stomach is not recommended. It is better to choose the right time to drink it. As the saying goes, “Tea on an empty stomach causes palpitations, and evening tea makes it hard to sleep.” Drinking Tea on an empty stomach dilutes gastric acid, inhibits gastric juice secretion, hinders digestion, and may cause symptoms like palpitations, headaches, gastric discomfort, blurred vision, and irritability due to “tea intoxication,” as well as interfere with protein absorption.

2. Pu'er tea should be drunk immediately after brewing, and drinking overnight Pu'er tea is not recommended. After prolonged Steeping, harmful substances like heavy metals can leach out from the tea, and tea polyphenols undergo significant oxidation, causing the tea color to become cloudy and reducing its Health benefits.

3. Freshly made Pu'er tea should not be consumed. From a nutritional standpoint, newly made Pu'er tea has not been aged for a period of time, so its nutrients have not undergone oxidation. Elderly patients who lack stomach acid or have chronic gastric ulcers may experience adverse reactions if they consume it over a long period of time.

4. Pu'er tea is best consumed warm, not scalding hot or cold. “Mild tea, warm, prolongs life.” Drinking cold Pu'er tea can have adverse effects on the mouth, throat, and digestive system, especially for those with poor spleen and stomach health. Therefore, it is recommended to drink it warm to promote health and wellness.

5. Drinking large amounts of Pu'er tea before or after meals should be avoided. Drinking large quantities of Pu'er tea before meals can dilute saliva and affect food digestion. Drinking it after meals should be timed appropriately rather than done blindly. For optimal health benefits, there should be at least an hour between meals and tea consumption.

6. Drinking Pu'er tea before bed should be moderate. Drinking Pu'er tea (raw tea) two hours before bedtime can cause mental stimulation, affecting sleep and even causing insomnia. However, small amounts of milder, aged Pu'er tea can be consumed.