With the arrival of winter, the temperatures drop and days become shorter. While we can increase our caloric intake to fight off the cold, we should not overlook the importance of nourishing and maintaining our bodies for the sake of indulgence alone. For Chinese people, Drinking Tea for health is a tradition that has lasted thousands of years. In recent years, research into the health benefits of Tea has increased, leading more consumers to try it. So, what are the nutritional components in tea, and how can they be consumed to achieve maximum health benefits?

(1) Can Positive Patients drink tea?

A positive result refers to a positive test for COVID-19 via nucleic acid testing or antigen testing, indicating the presence of the virus. Generally, positive patients with COVID-19 can drink tea but should do so in moderation.

COVID-19 is primarily an acute upper respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. After infection, most patients will experience symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue, and dry cough. Some positive patients may carry the virus without displaying any noticeable symptoms. Tea has a stimulating and refreshing effect, provides vitamins and hydration, and moderate consumption can help accelerate metabolism and promote recovery from illness.

However, tea contains substances like polyphenols and tannins. Excessive consumption may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, increase digestive burden, and affect the absorption of other nutrients. Therefore, moderate tea consumption does not have adverse effects on patients with COVID-19. More importantly, patients should consume fresh fruits and vegetables, maintain good living habits such as early bedtime and regular meals, strengthen their constitution, and shorten the duration of the illness.

(2) What Are the Health Benefits of Drinking Tea?

Firstly, all types of tea share common properties: drinking tea can invigorate the mind, enhance alertness, and improve memory. It stimulates the central nervous system, increases physical capacity, promotes gastric secretion, aids digestion, boosts appetite, and eliminates bad breath. Drinking tea can also relieve fatigue and promote metabolism.

Moderate tea consumption benefits the stomach's muscle tissue, relaxes intestinal tension, promotes small intestine movement, and increases bile and intestinal fluid secretion. The caffeine, polyphenols, and vitamins in tea regulate fat metabolism and aid digestion and absorption.

(3) What Type of Tea Is Best for You?

Different types of tea have distinct flavors and characteristics. Black Tea is sweet and warm, helping to nurture the body's yang energy; green tea is cool and can clear heat; oolong tea soothes the throat and quenches thirst; flower teas nourish the liver and gallbladder. According to traditional Chinese medicine, drinking tea can help prevent diseases.

01

Black Tea Is Ideal for Winter

Black tea is sweet and warm, nurturing the body's yang energy. It contains abundant proteins and sugars that generate warmth and nourish the abdomen, enhancing the body's resistance to cold. It also aids digestion and reduces greasy foods. As a fermented tea, black tea is mild and suitable for those with poor digestion, making it widely popular. In some parts of China, there is a habit of adding Sugar, milk, and sesame to black tea, which not only warms the body but also adds nutrition and strengthens the body. Studies have found that black tea can reduce the incidence of stroke and heart disease. Since these conditions are more prevalent in winter, elderly individuals with cardiovascular disease can benefit from regularly drinking warm black tea, which can both warm the body and prevent illness.

02

Drink Green Tea to Cool Down

The dry winter climate, combined with a preference for greasy and spicy foods, often leads to internal heat (or “fire”) and related issues such as constipation and dry mouth. In such cases, drinking green tea is recommended. As an unfermented tea, green tea is cool and can clear heat, aiding digestion and eliminating phlegm. It can also help heal mild gastric ulcers, lower blood lipids, and prevent vascular hardening.

Those who easily get internal heat, regularly smoke or drink alcohol, or are overweight (usually have a real heat constitution) are well-suited to drinking green tea. However, those with weak spleen and stomach should avoid green tea.

03

Drink Aged White Tea to Warm and Nourish

Cooking a pot of aged white tea in winter has become a common practice for many. The fragrant aroma fills the air, creating a beautiful and romantic atmosphere. During winter, especially when the weather is damp and cold, the human body can be susceptible to cold and dampness. Gentle aged white tea is an excellent beverage for keeping warm and dispelling cold. Aged white tea is rich in flavonoids, which accumulate over time, giving it strong medicinal properties. Drinking aged white tea in moderation during winter is beneficial for the body.

Winter is a season when colds are prevalent. Aged white tea, besides having a mellow taste, is rich in flavonoids. Research has shown that flavonoids can react with bacterial proteins, causing them to coagulate and effectively killing the bacteria. Thus, regularly drinking aged white tea can help prevent colds.

04

Dried Tangerine Peel: The Ultimate Companion

Dried tangerine peel is processed tangerine peel and a common ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Cold winter weather can lead to coughs and excess phlegm, and boiling water with dried tangerine peel can effectively promote bronchial dilation, benefiting lung health. Drinking tangerine peel water in winter helps eliminate phlegm, relieve cough, strengthen the spleen, and stimulate appetite. It also has potential benefits for preventing cardiovascular disease and promoting beauty and complexion.

Moreover, dried tangerine peel can be combined with various health-promoting ingredients, such as ginger and red dates. Boiling water with dried tangerine peel and ginger can improve blood circulation and expel dampness from the body. Drinking water boiled with dried tangerine peel and red dates can help replenish qi and blood, promoting beauty and complexion, making this combination ideal for women. Consider drinking more of this blend.