The hot summer has arrived, and people often prefer cold drinks to cool down in the heat. In fact, drinking tea can also help relieve the heat, and it is more beneficial than drinking ordinary beverages, especially Anxi Tieguanyin, one of China's top ten famous teas. In the scorching summer, brewing a cup of Anxi Tieguanyin and letting the orchid fragrance spread creates a peaceful and leisurely summer atmosphere...
The benefits of drinking tea in summer mainly include the following aspects:
Tea is a natural beverage without additives
No additives are used in the production of tea, and its color, aroma, and taste are solely determined by the quality of the raw materials and the production process. In contrast, many other beverages often require the addition of chemicals such as colorants, flavorings, and sweeteners to enhance their sensory qualities. Sometimes, stimulants, sedatives, or preservatives are also added depending on the beverage's purpose. Currently, China uses over 200 types of food additives. Experts recommend consuming fewer beverages with chemical additives and opting for more natural drinks, with tea being an ideal choice.
Drinking tea helps dissipate heat and quench thirst
During the scorching summer, tea is far more effective at cooling and quenching thirst than ordinary beverages. This is due to the combined effects of various active ingredients in tea. The caffeine in tea plays a significant role in regulating the body's temperature control center in the hypothalamus. Additionally, the aromatic substances in tea act as natural cooling agents, dissipating heat from the body's pores as they evaporate. Drinking hot tea in summer is the most effective way to cool down. The caffeine in tea also has a diuretic effect. Furthermore, the polyphenols, amino acids, soluble pectin, and aromatic substances in tea stimulate the oral mucosa, promote saliva secretion, and help quench thirst.
Drinking tea can prevent gastrointestinal diseases
In the hot summer, slight negligence in food hygiene can lead to the rapid growth of bacteria, making summer a peak season for digestive diseases. Scientific research shows that tea has antibacterial, bactericidal, and gut microbiome-improving properties. Drinking tea can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria while promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, thereby enhancing intestinal immunity.
Drinking tea replenishes potassium salts and fluids
High summer temperatures cause excessive sweating, leading to the loss of potassium salts from the body. At the same time, physical exertion results in the accumulation of metabolic byproducts such as pyruvate, lactic acid, and carbon dioxide, disrupting the body's acid-base balance and metabolism. This can cause fatigue, drowsiness, loss of appetite, weakness, and even dizziness.
Tea is a potassium-rich food. Researchers have used atomic absorption spectroscopy to determine that the average potassium content in Tieguanyin tea is about 10 milligrams per gram of tea. Drinking tea in summer helps replenish potassium salts, maintaining normal osmotic pressure and acid-base balance in the body's cells and supporting regular physiological metabolic activities. This is why drinking tea is highly recommended during the sweaty summer months.