When you feel uncomfortable during the process of drinking tea, consider whether it might be tea drunkenness.

Just as one can get drunk from alcohol, one can also get drunk from tea. Tea drunkenness is no more comfortable than alcohol intoxication. It often occurs when drinking excessive amounts of strong tea on an empty stomach. Symptoms of tea drunkenness include dizziness, tinnitus, general weakness, and a feeling of emptiness in the stomach yet as if something is churning inside, from the stomach to the throat, causing nausea without the ability to vomit. In severe cases, it can lead to frothing at the mouth, which is quite unseemly.

Medically, "tea drunkenness" is described as an imbalance of electrolytes in the body caused by drinking tea, which in turn disrupts the normal activity of enzymes, leading to metabolic disorders and a series of adverse reactions such as accelerated blood circulation and rapid breathing. The main culprit behind tea drunkenness is the caffeine in tea leaves.

After drinking several cups of strong tea, some people often experience symptoms such as sensory hypersensitivity, insomnia, headache, nausea, unsteadiness, hand and foot tremors, and decreased fine motor efficiency. In severe cases, muscle tremors, heart rhythm disorders, and even convulsions or seizures may occur. This is essentially the result of absorbing excessive caffeine from tea.

Typically, a 150ml cup of tea contains about 80mg of caffeine. Drinking 5-6 cups a day equates to consuming approximately 0.4g of caffeine. The maximum daily limit of caffeine intake for a person is 0.65g. Exceeding this limit may pose risks to health.

Why does tea drunkenness occur?

Tea contains various alkaloids and tea polyphenols, which stimulate the brain nerves, promote increased heart function, and affect the normal secretion of gastric juices. Consuming large amounts can easily lead to symptoms similar to drunkenness, such as palpitations and dizziness.

Theophylline is a central nervous system stimulant. Excessive concentration and quantity can easily cause "tea drunkenness": accelerated blood circulation, rapid breathing, and a series of adverse reactions. This disrupts the body's electrolyte balance, which in turn affects enzyme activity, leading to metabolic disorders.

Which situations are likely to cause tea drunkenness?

First, people who rarely drink tea may experience it after consuming slightly more than usual.

Second, those who usually drink highly fermented ripe teas, such as black tea, Taiwanese oolong tea, or aged teas, which contain relatively less caffeine, may experience tea drunkenness if they suddenly switch to lightly fermented or unfermented green tea or raw tea and drink it in excess.

Third, drinking tea on an empty stomach can also lead to tea drunkenness. Additionally, tea enthusiasts who drink freshly roasted Pu-erh tea in pursuit of freshness may also be prone to tea drunkenness.

How to relieve tea drunkenness?

The simplest method is to eat some sweets after experiencing tea drunkenness. This can greatly alleviate or even eliminate the discomfort. To prevent tea drunkenness, you can take measures while drinking tea, such as eating walnuts, red dates, peanuts, candy, nuts, pastries, etc. This way, you can enjoy the tea aroma while minimizing the risk of tea drunkenness.

Prevention Methods

1. Avoid drinking tea that is too strong. Since tea contains caffeine, drinking several cups of strong tea in a row can lead to a large amount of caffeine being absorbed into the bloodstream, causing dizziness, headache, nervous excitement, and even symptoms such as muscle tremors, heart rhythm disorders, and convulsions—this is "tea drunkenness."

2. Avoid drinking too much tea. Tea contains various vitamins and amino acids, which help with digestion, diuresis, and stimulating the nerves. However, more is not always better. Excessive tea consumption can cause tea to accumulate in the intestines, hindering diaphragm movement and affecting normal absorption. Additionally, a large amount of water entering the body rapidly increases blood volume, burdening the heart and potentially causing abnormal cardiopulmonary function. This is particularly risky for elderly or frail individuals with heart conditions. Generally, drinking tea 1–2 times a day is appropriate.

3. Do not drink tea on an empty stomach. When fasting, the stomach contains a large amount of gastric acid. Tea can dilute gastric juices, reducing digestive function.

4. Tea is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with conditions such as neurasthenia, insomnia, hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, heart disease, stomach issues, or intestinal ulcers should avoid tea. Breastfeeding and pregnant women, as well as infants and young children, should also refrain from tea. If you enjoy drinking tea, it is recommended to opt for mild or ripe teas.