Tea is a common beverage in people's lives, known for its refreshing, mild, and mellow taste. It not only quenches thirst but also promotes health, making it a favorite for many. However, did you know that tea can become toxic if consumed improperly? Today, we will discuss what combinations with tea can turn it into poison.

1

Tea and Alcohol

Many people like to drink tea after alcohol, hoping to achieve the effects of moistening dryness, sobering up, aiding digestion, and regulating water metabolism. However, this is harmful to the kidneys. Drinking tea after alcohol causes the diuretic effect of theophylline, and the acetaldehyde converted from alcohol has not yet fully decomposed. It enters the kidneys due to the diuretic effect of theophylline, and acetaldehyde has a strong irritant effect on the kidneys, potentially causing damage to kidney function. Symptoms such as kidney cold, impotence, frequent turbid urination, and testicular pain may follow.

2

Tea and Eggs

Boiling eggs in tea results in a very concentrated tea solution. Strong tea contains a high amount of tannic acid, which can coagulate the protein in food, making it difficult to digest and absorb. Eggs are high-protein foods, so it is not advisable to boil eggs in tea.

3

Tea and Medicine

The tannic acid in tea leaves can react with certain medications (such as ferrous sulfate tablets, ferric ammonium citrate, berberine, etc.) to form precipitates, affecting drug absorption.

If tea is used to take sedatives (such as phenobarbital, diazepam, etc.), the caffeine and theophylline in tea, as stimulants, will counteract or weaken the sedative effects of the drugs.

4

Tea and Dog Meat

Dog meat is rich in protein, while tea contains a lot of tannic acid. Drinking tea immediately after eating dog meat will cause the tannic acid in tea to combine with the protein in dog meat, forming tannin protein. This substance has an astringent effect, weakening intestinal peristalsis and causing constipation. The toxic substances and carcinogens produced by metabolism remain in the intestines and are passively absorbed, which is harmful to health. Therefore, avoid drinking tea after eating dog meat.

5

Tea and Lamb

Although eating lamb regularly is beneficial to health, drinking tea while eating lamb can cause the rich protein in lamb to combine with the tannic acid in tea, forming a substance called carbonate protein. This substance has a certain astringent effect on the intestines, weakening intestinal peristalsis and reducing water in the stool, which can easily lead to constipation.

6

Tea and Sugar

Tea is bitter and cold in nature. People drink tea to stimulate the digestive glands with its bitterness, promoting the secretion of digestive juices to enhance digestive function, and to achieve heat-clearing and detoxifying effects with its cold nature. Adding sugar to tea will inhibit these functions.

Who Should Avoid Drinking Tea?

1. Pregnant women should avoid drinking tea, especially strong tea. Tea contains a large amount of tea polyphenols, caffeine, etc., which are harmful to the growth of the fetus in the womb. To ensure the normal development of the fetus's intelligence and avoid excessive stimulation from caffeine, pregnant women should drink little or no tea.

2. Avoid drinking tea when you have a fever. The caffeine in tea can raise body temperature and reduce the effectiveness of medication.

3. People with liver diseases should avoid drinking tea. Most of the caffeine and other substances in tea are metabolized by the liver. If the liver is diseased, excessive tea consumption can damage liver tissue.

4. People with neurasthenia should drink tea cautiously. The caffeine in tea stimulates the central nervous system. Drinking strong tea, especially in the afternoon and evening, can cause insomnia and worsen the condition. They can drink tea once in the morning and once in the afternoon, such as flower tea in the morning and green tea in the afternoon, and avoid tea in the evening. This way, patients can feel energetic during the day and relaxed at night, helping them fall asleep earlier.

5. Anemia patients should avoid drinking tea. The tannic acid in tea can combine with iron to form insoluble compounds, depriving the body of sufficient iron sources. Therefore, anemia patients should not drink tea.

6. Patients with urinary stones should avoid drinking tea. Urinary stones are usually calcium oxalate stones. Since tea contains oxalic acid, it can form stones with calcium excreted in the urine. If patients with urinary stones drink large amounts of tea, it will worsen the condition.

7. Ulcer patients should drink tea cautiously. Tea is a stimulant for gastric acid secretion. Drinking tea can increase gastric acid secretion, exacerbating the stimulation of ulcer surfaces. Drinking strong tea regularly can worsen the condition. However, for mild patients, drinking some weak tea two hours after taking medication, such as sugared black tea or milk tea, can help with inflammation and protect the gastric mucosa, having a certain therapeutic effect on ulcers. Drinking tea can also block the synthesis of nitrosamines in the body, preventing precancerous mutations.