Many retirees find great pleasure in a cup of tea and a newspaper, representing a tranquil late-life routine. However, everything has two sides. While tea is beneficial for health, its consumption requires attention to timing, as drinking it at the wrong time may harm health. Elderly individuals should especially avoid drinking tea during the following four time periods.

On an empty stomach.

Because tea leaves contain alkaloids such as caffeine, drinking tea on an empty stomach can lead to excessive absorption of caffeine in the intestines, causing hyperactive symptoms in some people, such as heart palpitations, dizziness, weakness in the hands and feet, and mental haziness. Those unaccustomed to tea, especially when drinking it on an empty stomach in the early morning, are more prone to these symptoms. This is referred to as "tea drunkenness." If tea drunkenness occurs, sucking on candy or drinking some sugar water can help alleviate it. Compared to younger people, the elderly have more fragile digestive systems. Middle-aged and older adults with gastric or duodenal ulcers should particularly avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach, especially strong tea. Excessive tannic acid can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, worsening the condition and potentially leading to indigestion or constipation.

When drunk.

Tea has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. Drinking strong tea after alcohol intoxication can increase the burden on the heart. For elderly individuals with relatively poor heart and kidney function, it is especially important not to consume large amounts of strong tea after drinking alcohol. Instead, methods such as eating a large amount of fruit or taking small sips of vinegar can be used to accelerate the body's metabolic rate and relieve intoxication.

Before sleep.

The substances in tea, such as theophylline, have a clear stimulating effect on the central nervous system after being absorbed by the body. Drinking tea can cause mental excitement, affect sleep, and even lead to insomnia, especially with freshly picked green tea, which has a more pronounced effect. Additionally, tea has a diuretic effect, making elderly individuals prone to frequent urination at night if they drink tea before bed, thereby affecting sleep quality.

During medication periods.

Some elderly people with chronic illnesses require long-term medication, and many drugs should not be taken with tea. Examples include sedative sleep aids and anti-arrhythmic drugs. Theophylline can reduce the analgesic effect of certain medications, so it is also inadvisable to drink tea when taking pain relievers.