Drinking tea offers numerous benefits. According to the latest research from the Institute of Food Science at National Taiwan University, mold-fermented Pu-erh tea is particularly effective in lowering blood lipids. Meanwhile, after consuming garlic, drinking a cup of black tea or chewing the leftover tea leaves can also help eliminate bad breath and freshen the mouth. Tea is one of the oldest and most widely consumed beverages in the world, cherished for its unique aroma. In recent years, studies on the various health benefits of tea have increased. It is already known that green tea, rich in catechins, can help prevent cancer and provide antioxidant effects. Research commissioned by the Department of Health and conducted by Professor Sun Luxi from the Institute of Food Science at National Taiwan University on various teas has further uncovered the health benefits of Pu-erh tea and black tea.

After eating strong-smelling foods like garlic or onions, besides chewing gum to mask the odor, you might try black tea. Experts point out that while there are many causes of bad breath, including oral or digestive system issues, the main component of bad breath is methyl mercaptan. Since Japanese scholars previously discovered that catechins in green tea can eliminate bad breath, she specifically selected various teas such as green tea, Baozhong tea, oolong tea, and black tea for research on eliminating bad breath. Surprisingly, she found that black tea, which contains very few catechins but is rich in theaflavins, is exceptionally effective at removing bad breath, comparable to green tea.

After consuming strong-smelling foods like stinky tofu, garlic, or onions, you can drink a cup of black tea to combat bad breath. If the odor persists after drinking the tea, you can also chew the remaining tea leaves to help restore fresh breath.