In the vast world of beverages, tea has become an integral part of many cultures due to its unique charm and health benefits. Since ancient times, tea has been praised as an elixir that uplifts the spirit and purifies the mind. However, just as everything in the world is not suitable for everyone, some ingredients in tea may not be completely harmless to people with certain constitutions and conditions. This is often overlooked, as the popularity and cultural background of tea make it easy to overlook its potential inappropriateness.
Patients with chronic gastritis: irritating components in tea
Tea, as a widely popular beverage around the world, has attracted countless enthusiasts with its unique taste and health benefits. However, for people with chronic gastritis, some of the ingredients in tea may not be so friendly. The main ones are caffeine and tannins, two substances that have a certain irritation in the human body.
Caffeine, as a central nervous system stimulant, not only refreshes the mind, but also increases gastric acid secretion. For people with chronic gastritis, too much stomach acid may exacerbate inflammation of the gastric mucosa, causing stomach pain. In addition, tannic acid is high in tea, it can bind to the gastric mucosa, and long-term excessive intake may cause gastric mucosal irritation and aggravate stomach discomfort.
For this group of people, it is recommended to reduce the intake of tea, especially black tea and black tea with higher concentration and higher caffeine content. Consider replacing it with low-caffeine green or herbal teas, such as chrysanthemum tea, peppermint tea, etc. These alternatives provide both a mild taste and less stomach irritation.
Iron Absorption Disorders: Effect of Tea on Iron Absorption
When discussing the relationship between tea and health, it is impossible to ignore its impact on the absorption of trace elements in the human body, especially iron. Tea contains a lot of tannic acid, which is combined with iron to form a complex that is difficult to absorb by the body. This is especially important in people with iron malabsorption, such as those with iron deficiency anemia.
Tannic acid is mainly found in black tea and some strong teas, where it binds to non-heme iron in food, thereby reducing iron bioavailability. Long-term consumption of large amounts of this type of tea may exacerbate iron deficiency. Therefore, it is recommended that such people try to choose tea varieties with lower concentration and less tannin content, such as green tea or white tea, and avoid drinking tea when eating iron-containing foods to avoid affecting iron absorption.
Patients with anxiety or sleep disorders: caffeine in tea
The caffeine in tea is a factor that should not be ignored for people with anxiety or sleep disorders. Although the caffeine content in tea is generally lower than that of coffee, long-term high intake may still have a stimulating effect on the nervous system, which can exacerbate anxiety symptoms or affect sleep quality.
Especially for those who are sensitive to caffeine, even small amounts of caffeine can cause reactions such as rapid heartbeat and nervousness. Therefore, for this group of people, it is advisable to reduce the intake of tea, especially in the evening or before bedtime. As an alternative, opt for decaf herbal teas, such as chamomile or lavender, which have a calming effect and help you sleep.
Specific drug users: Tea interacts with medications
Many people may not know that some of the ingredients in tea may interact with specific medications, affecting the effectiveness of the medications. The most typical examples are anticoagulants and certain antidepressants. The vitamin K and certain antioxidants in tea may interact with anticoagulants, reducing the effectiveness of the drug and increasing the risk of bleeding.
On the other hand, certain antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may interact with the caffeine in tea, resulting in changes in the rate of drug metabolism, affecting efficacy and side effects. In these cases, it is advisable to discuss tea intake with a doctor while taking the relevant medications, and reduce or avoid drinking if necessary, especially strong teas and high-caffeinated teas.