Tea, as a healthy health-preserving beverage, is deeply loved by everyone. Nowadays, many friends enjoy drinking tea, especially among successful men who find solace in a pot and a cup of tea. However, recently, many tea enthusiasts have raised a question: Does long-term tea drinking have a positive or negative impact on kidney function?
To put it simply, tea has a long history of medicinal use, and its effects on the kidneys are generally positive. However, everything has two sides, so the impact of tea drinking varies from person to person. Below, we will discuss the effects of tea on kidney function.

Overall, tea offers many benefits for the kidneys.
From a pharmacological perspective, tea is beneficial for the kidneys. Regardless of the type of tea, tannins, polyphenols, and vitamins are highly effective in regulating blood lipids and uric acid. Raw Pu'er tea is particularly notable in this regard. Friends with obesity, high blood lipids, or high uric acid might want to give it a try. Consuming 5-10 grams daily can help with kidney stone removal. Here are some benefits of drinking tea:
1. Tea can invigorate the spirit and enhance thinking and memory.
2. Tea helps eliminate fatigue and promotes metabolism.
3. Tea can delay and prevent the formation of lipid plaques in blood vessels, preventing conditions like arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and cerebral thrombosis.
4. Tea has excellent weight loss and beauty effects.
5. Tea helps maintain the normal acid-base balance of the blood. The alkaline substances and xanthines in tea leaves are quickly absorbed and oxidized in the body, producing highly concentrated alkaline metabolites that neutralize acidic metabolites in the blood.
6. Tea has anti-radiation effects. Drinking tea while watching TV can reduce the harm of radiation and protect eyesight.

Under what circumstances can tea harm the kidneys?
1. Drinking tea while consuming alcohol can harm the kidneys.
Drinking tea alone does not harm the kidneys, but if you have the habit of drinking tea while consuming alcohol, it may cause harm. Alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde, and the alkaloids in tea have a strong diuretic effect. Acetaldehyde, which is toxic, may enter the kidneys before being broken down, potentially damaging them.
2. Drinking tea on an empty stomach can harm the kidneys.
Some people have the habit of drinking tea first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Tea contains a large amount of caffeine, which stimulates and excites the body, accelerating heart rate and causing palpitations. It also promotes kidney urination, increasing the burden on the kidneys. In severe cases, it can impair kidney function and affect overall health. Therefore, tea lovers should avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach and may drink some water before tea.
3. Drinking overly strong tea can harm the kidneys.
Drinking overly strong tea can cause frequent urination, increasing the burden on the kidneys and potentially harming them. Therefore, it is better to drink mild tea daily for greater health benefits.

The Tang Dynasty's "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "All medicines are for specific diseases, but tea is the medicine for all diseases." This highlights the significant medicinal effects of tea. Therefore, as long as tea is consumed in moderation and common pitfalls are avoided, it offers substantial health benefits.