For those of us accustomed to a fast-paced life, having tea as a companion is a very pleasant and poetic thing. However, everything has two sides. Drinking tea is beneficial to the body, but it also requires attention. If consumed at the wrong time, it may instead harm health. In our daily tea drinking, it is best to avoid the following three time periods.

On an empty stomach

Because tea leaves contain alkaloids such as caffeine, drinking tea on an empty stomach can easily lead to excessive absorption of caffeine by the intestines, which may cause hyperactive symptoms in some people, such as palpitations, dizziness, weakness in hands and feet, and mental confusion. People who do not drink tea regularly, especially drinking tea on an empty stomach in the early morning, are more likely to experience the above symptoms. This is called "tea drunkenness." Once tea drunkenness occurs, sucking on candy or drinking some sugar water can help relieve it. Compared to young people, the elderly have more fragile digestive systems. Middle-aged and elderly people suffering from gastric or duodenal ulcers should especially avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach, particularly strong tea. Excessive tannic acid can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, thereby worsening the condition, and some may even experience indigestion or constipation.

When intoxicated

Tea has the effect of stimulating the nerve center. Drinking strong tea after intoxication can increase the burden on the heart. For elderly people with relatively poor heart and kidney function, it is especially important not to drink large amounts of strong tea after alcohol consumption. Methods such as eating a large amount of fruit or taking small sips of vinegar can be used to speed up the body's metabolism and alleviate intoxication.

Before sleep

Substances such as theophylline in tea, after being absorbed by the body, have a significant stimulating effect on the central nervous system. Drinking tea can cause mental excitement, affect sleep, and even lead to insomnia, especially with freshly picked green tea, where the effect is more pronounced. Additionally, tea has a diuretic effect. Elderly people drinking tea before bed are also prone to frequent urination at night, affecting sleep quality.