But everything has two sides. Drinking tea is good for health, but there are also rules. If you drink it at the wrong time, it may harm your health. It is best to avoid tea during the following four periods.

On an empty stomach

Because tea leaves contain caffeine and other alkaloids, drinking tea on an empty stomach can easily cause the intestines to absorb too much caffeine, which may cause symptoms of overstimulation in some people, such as heart palpitations, dizziness, weakness in the hands and feet, and mental confusion. Those 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 intoxication. Once tea intoxication occurs, it can be relieved by sucking on candy or drinking some sugar water. Compared to young people, the elderly have more fragile gastrointestinal tracts. Middle-aged and elderly people suffering from gastric or duodenal ulcers should avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach, especially strong tea. Because too much tannic acid can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, worsening the condition, and may even cause indigestion or constipation.

After drinking alcohol

Tea has an excitatory effect on the central nervous system. Drinking strong tea after becoming drunk can increase the burden on the heart. For elderly people with poor heart and kidney function, it is especially important not to drink large amounts of strong tea after drinking alcohol. Instead, methods such as eating plenty of fruit or drinking small amounts of vinegar can be used to accelerate the body's metabolism and relieve intoxication.

Before sleep

Substances such as theophylline in tea, after being absorbed by the human body, have a significant excitatory effect on the central nervous system. Drinking tea can stimulate the mind, affect sleep, and even cause insomnia, especially with freshly picked green tea, which has a more pronounced effect. Tea also has a diuretic effect. Drinking tea before sleep in the elderly can easily lead to frequent urination at night, affecting sleep quality.

During medication period

Some elderly people with chronic diseases need to take medication for a long time. Many medications should not be taken with tea. For example, sedative-hypnotic drugs and antiarrhythmic drugs. Theophylline can reduce the analgesic effect of certain drugs. Therefore, it is also not advisable to drink tea when taking analgesic drugs.