Discovered and utilized over 5,000 years ago, it contains large amounts of tannic acid, theophylline, caffeine, and small amounts of aromatic oils, various vitamins, chlorophyll, and other components. Drinking tea in moderation can quench thirst, remove dampness and heat, refresh the mind, and promote health. However, as a special beverage, tea has its inherent taboos. Medical experts warn that only proper tea drinking can be a healthy habit for healthcare. Here, we introduce the question of "how to drink tea more healthily" to tea enthusiasts:

How to drink tea more healthily?

1. Choose the right tea: For example, black tea nourishes the stomach, green tea refreshes the mind, oolong aids weight loss, and Pu-erh tea aids digestion. Select tea based on your physique and needs to benefit both body and mind.

2. Choose good tea: The quality of tea varies. Generally, good tea offers many benefits, while poor-quality tea may taste bitter or astringent, with the worse consequence being harm to the stomach.

3. Drink tea properly: Besides using good teaware and brewing scientifically, avoid drinking moldy tea, tea on an empty stomach, or overnight tea. Try not to drink strong tea before bedtime. Generally, fresh tea is better, but aged tea like aged black tea or aged Pu-erh can also be consumed, as it is effective for treating stomach ailments.

4. Timing: Drink black tea in the morning, as it is fermented and gentle on the body; green tea during the day to refresh the mind; and oolong tea after dinner to aid digestion without affecting sleep.

5. Regional considerations: The director of the China Tea Quality Supervision and Inspection Center advocates drinking tea based on regional habits, as local environments shape local preferences. For example, people in Guangdong and Fujian often drink oolong tea, while ethnic minority regions prefer brick tea.

6. Physique matching: For instance, those with a hot constitution suit green tea, while those with stomach issues should opt for fermented tea. A traditional Chinese medicine expert recommends drinking green tea in spring to reduce internal heat, floral tea to soothe the liver when feeling down, and semi-fermented teas like oolong or tieguanyin to relieve dampness when experiencing thick tongue coating, bloating, or poor digestion.

Reminder: Drinking tea on an empty stomach harms health

Drinking tea on an empty stomach directly irritates the gastrointestinal tract. It also dilutes digestive juices, impairing digestion. Additionally, caffeine and other substances in tea are more easily absorbed on an empty stomach, potentially leading to "tea drunkenness."