In the clinic, patients often ask: “Doctor, I usually enjoy drinking tea, but I am taking Chinese medicine recently. Can I drink tea while taking Chinese medicine? Will it affect the efficacy of the Chinese medicine?” Today, let's talk about how to drink tea scientifically.
Nine categories of situations where tea drinking is not recommended:
① When taking iron supplements
Anemic patients typically take iron-containing medications, and the tannic acid in tea reacts with iron to form insoluble precipitates. This not only affects the absorption of the drug but also stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, causing discomfort. Therefore, drinking tea while taking iron supplements means the iron intake is essentially wasted, and the iron deficiency anemia will not be corrected.
② When taking Chinese herbs primarily composed of alkaloids
When taking Chinese herbs such as Ephedra or Coptis, which are primarily composed of alkaloids, tea consumption should be avoided. The tannic acid in tea easily reacts with alkaloids to form insoluble precipitates, affecting the effectiveness of the medication.
③ When taking tonifying Chinese herbs
When taking tonifying Chinese herbs such as Codonopsis, Astragalus, Polygonum multiflorum, or Psoralea, tea drinking is not recommended. The tannic acid in tea has astringent properties, which can hinder the absorption of proteins and other nutrients, weakening the tonifying effects.
④ When taking tranquilizing and sedative drugs
Patients with palpitations, insomnia, or frequent dreaming who are taking tranquilizing and sedative drugs should avoid drinking tea. The caffeine and theobromine in tea have a central nervous system stimulating effect, reducing the efficacy of the sedatives and impacting treatment.
⑤ During medication for gastrointestinal diseases
During the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, especially during the active phase of peptic ulcers, tea consumption should be avoided, particularly strong tea. Strong tea contains high levels of caffeine, which can increase gastric juice secretion and affect ulcer healing.
⑥ When uric acid levels are elevated or during gout attacks
Individuals with high uric acid levels or gout should avoid drinking strong tea, as the caffeine in tea can break down into new uric acid in the body, raising uric acid levels and worsening the condition.
⑦ When drunk
Drinking strong tea after alcohol intoxication can increase the burden on the heart. Additionally, tea accelerates urine production, allowing toxic acetaldehyde, which has not yet been broken down, to be excreted through the kidneys, potentially harming the kidneys.
⑧ Children and adolescents
Caffeine in tea can enter the central nervous system, causing excitement and impacting sleep. It may even affect children's growth and development.
⑨ Women during menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation
Women in these three special stages need to increase their intake of iron. Tannic acid in tea hinders iron absorption, and long-term consumption of strong tea can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Furthermore, excessive intake of caffeine by pregnant or lactating women can impact fetal and infant development.
Tea should be consumed at appropriate times and temperatures:
Pay attention to timing
Avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach. Drinking tea on an empty stomach dilutes gastric acid and inhibits gastric juice secretion, possibly causing discomforts such as palpitations, headaches, gastric discomfort, blurred vision, and irritability. Drinking tea immediately after meals should also be avoided. Tea dilutes gastric juices, affecting digestion and absorption of food. Additionally, the tannic acid in tea can hinder the absorption of iron and protein. Overnight tea should also be avoided. After being left overnight, tea loses many nutrients and can easily harbor spoilage microorganisms, leading to mild spoilage.
Pay attention to temperature
Avoid drinking scalding hot tea, which is tea water above 65°C. Very hot tea can scald the oral cavity and esophageal mucosa. Repeated injury and repair of the mucosa can cause chronic inflammation, increasing the risk of cancer.