Chinese people enjoy using tea for health preservation, with different teas offering various health benefits. Although tea has many advantages, and we have even incorporated it into food—meals with tea leaves carry a unique tea aroma—the pairing of tea and food seems like it should enhance nutritional effects. However, it also has its own dietary禁忌.

Tea is well-known for the following benefits:

Cancer prevention: Scientists have found that tea brewed in a pot is more beneficial for health. Compared to simply steeping tea in a cup of boiling water, the boiling method releases more anticancer chemical compounds.

Disease prevention: Black tea has strong antibacterial properties. Gargling with black tea can prevent colds caused by filterable viruses, prevent tooth decay and food poisoning, and lower blood sugar and blood pressure. Research shows that black tea is no less effective than green tea and is more beneficial for heart health.

When paired with food, these nutrients can be better utilized. However, tea cannot be consumed with all ingredients. For example, combining tea with black fungus may lead to anemia.

Tea with black fungus may cause anemia

Black fungus is delicious, versatile, and nutritious. It is sweet and neutral in nature, with many medicinal properties. It can invigorate qi, strengthen the body, and promote blood circulation. Due to its rich iron content, black fungus is particularly effective in treating anemia. However, when black fungus meets tea, this advantage is completely negated. This is because black fungus, when consumed with tea containing tannic acid, reduces the body's absorption of iron. Prolonged consumption in this manner can easily lead to severe iron deficiency, resulting in anemia and other diseases.

Tea with eggs should be consumed in moderation

Tea eggs are a common snack in China, known for their ability to refresh and energize the mind. However, it has become a topic of debate whether tea and eggs can truly be consumed together. Some experts point out that tea contains acidic compounds in addition to alkaloids, which can combine with the iron in eggs, irritating the stomach and hindering digestion and absorption. Therefore, it is advisable to consume tea eggs in moderation, especially for patients, the elderly, and children.

Tea with alcohol increases heart load

Tea should not be consumed with alcohol. Not only should you avoid drinking alcohol while drinking tea, but you should also not drink tea immediately after consuming alcohol. Alcohol contains a significant amount of ethanol, and strong tea has a stimulating effect on the heart. The alcohol in drinks strongly stimulates the cardiovascular system, and when combined with tea's stimulation, the heart faces dual stimulation. This enhances excitability while increasing the heart's load, which is unhealthy for the heart. Therefore, tea and alcohol must be consumed separately.

Tea should also not be consumed with dog meat, coffee, seaweed, red wine, or pork. Combining tea with dog meat may lead to the absorption of toxic and carcinogenic substances. Tea with coffee, seaweed, or red wine can reduce the body's iron absorption. Tea with pork may cause symptoms such as constipation.

In addition, people with stomach issues should also avoid certain aspects of tea consumption.

Green tea (e.g., Longjing, Biluochun, Maojian), chrysanthemum tea, and raw Pu'er are slightly cold or cool in nature and can easily irritate the stomach. Those with a cold stomach or frequent stomach pain should consume less or avoid these teas. It is recommended that people with stomach issues drink warmer teas such as white tea, black tea, or ripe Pu'er. These teas are fermented and are gentler on the stomach, less likely to cause stomach pain. Fujian white tea, in particular, is well-suited for those with stomach problems.

Furthermore, people with stomach issues should try to avoid overly strong tea. Use less tea leaves when brewing to make the flavor lighter.

While tea can refresh the mind and prevent various diseases, it is also important to keep in mind the precautions mentioned above regarding tea consumption.