Tea, in the eyes of Chinese people, is not just a simple beverage but a beneficial substance for health and disease prevention. Drinking tea is not straightforward; there are many things to pay attention to. Today, Daodaojun will introduce the beneficial treasures in tea leaves for health and several major taboos of drinking tea.

First Treasure: Tea Tannins Fight Cancer

The bitterness and astringency in tea come from tea tannins, which account for 40% to 60% of the soluble components in tea leaves. Tea tannins are the "number one contributor" in tea leaves. They can抗氧化 (antioxidize), boost immunity, and have preventive effects against many cancers, including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, etc.

Second Treasure: Caffeine Boosts Alertness

The soluble components of tea contain 8% to 10% caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic, helping to accelerate the elimination of waste from the body, while also having a refreshing effect. Additionally, it can increase metabolism and promote muscle contraction. However, the longer tea is steeped, the more caffeine is released. People with poor sleep, those prone to emotional fluctuations, pregnant women, etc., should drink less.

Third Treasure: Theanine Enhances Memory

Theanine is a unique free amino acid in tea leaves. It is responsible for the refreshing and sweet taste in tea. Research has found that theanine can increase the physiological activity of dopamine in the brain, thereby promoting a sense of well-being and enhancing memory and learning ability.

Five Taboos of Drinking Tea

Avoid Steeping for Too Long: If tea is steeped for too long, it may deteriorate and even breed harmful microorganisms.

Avoid Large Amounts Before Meals: Drinking large amounts of tea before meals may affect food digestion and absorption, leading to decreased appetite.

Avoid Drinking Strong Tea Immediately After Meals: Generally, drinking tea after meals helps with digestion and fat reduction. However, drinking strong tea immediately after meals may hinder the absorption of nutrients from the diet, affecting the absorption of iron and protein.

Avoid Brewing Tea Too Strongly: The stronger the tea, the greater the irritation. Frequently drinking large amounts of strong tea can cause headaches, nausea, insomnia, irritability, etc.

Avoid Too Many Infusions: Except for a few teas like aged white tea, most teas can only be steeped 3 times. If steeped too many times, over 90% of the nutrients and functional components will have been extracted, and the distinctive flavor and aroma will no longer be noticeable.