Drinking tea is a habit in many people's daily life, which can not only quench thirst, but also play a role in health care, because tea is a healthy drink. Tea is rich in a variety of beneficial components, such as tea polyphenols, catechins, etc., which have physiological activities such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and are helpful for cardiovascular health, immune system and metabolic function.
Many people enjoy the habit of drinking tea every day, but there are some doubts about the effects of the ingredients contained in tea on kidney health. Some people worry that drinking tea can cause kidney damage. Next, let's talk about this topic and hear what the doctor has to say.
1. Drinking tea incorrectly may cause kidney damage
Peng Hui, chief physician of the Department of Nephrology at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, pointed out that normal tea drinking usually does not cause acute kidney injury. The ingredients in tea are not harmful to the kidneys in moderation, and some studies have even shown that drinking tea in moderation is beneficial to the kidneys. However, excessive tea consumption may cause damage to the kidneys.
A 12-year study of more than 500,000 people showed that people who drank more than 3.5 cups of tea per day had a significantly increased risk of acute kidney injury. This suggests that excessive tea consumption may pose a threat to kidney health. In addition, the risk of acute kidney injury may be further increased if coffee is further consumed at the same time as tea drinking. Therefore, tea drinkers need to pay attention to controlling the amount of tea they drink to avoid the potential risk of kidney damage.
In addition, Naning, chief physician of the Kidney Transplantation Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, mentioned that tea contains theophylline, and excessive tea consumption will lead to an increase in theophylline intake, which in turn will increase the formation of crystalline salts, which may cause kidney stones. Kidney stones are a common kidney problem that can lead to severe pain and other complications if left unchecked.
2. Ingredients in tea that may hurt the kidneys
While most of the ingredients in tea are beneficial to the body, tea also contains some components that may be detrimental to kidney health, especially theophylline. Theophylline is a substance that stimulates the central nervous system and is also a diuretic, and its excessive intake may cause some burden on the kidneys.
Theophylline is an alkaloid in tea, which does not cause much harm to the human body in moderate amounts, but helps to refresh the mind. However, if you consume theophylline excessively, especially if you drink a large amount of strong tea for a long time, theophylline will stimulate the kidneys and increase the production of urine, which may lead to an increase in the burden on the kidneys and even cause acute kidney injury.
In addition, theophylline may also promote increased uric acid excretion and increase the formation of uric acid crystals, which in turn can cause problems such as gout and kidney stones.
In addition to theophylline, the caffeine in tea is also an ingredient to focus on. Caffeine is similar to theophylline in that it also has a diuretic effect. This diuretic effect may be further enhanced if coffee or other caffeinated beverages are further consumed at the same time as tea, leading to an increased burden on the kidneys and an increased risk of kidney damage. Therefore, it is also very important for tea drinkers to pay attention to the amount of caffeine they consume.
In addition, the fluoride content in tea is also a concern. Tea has a high level of fluoride, and if consumed in excess over a long period of time, it may lead to chronic fluorosis, causing problems such as bone disease and kidney damage. Therefore, especially those who drink a lot of tea for a long time, they should pay attention to the fluoride content in the tea and avoid excessive intake.
In other words, drinking tea normally does not cause significant harm to kidney health. Some of the ingredients in tea may even be beneficial for the kidneys. However, excessive tea consumption, especially strong tea, may increase the risk of kidney damage. Therefore, people who love tea should pay attention to the appropriate amount when drinking tea and not drink too much.
In addition to being mindful of the amount of tea you drink, there are some other suggestions to help protect your kidney health. First, maintain a good diet, limit your intake of foods high in salt, sugar, and fat, and increase your intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Secondly, maintaining proper water intake and drinking enough water can help dilute the urine and reduce the formation of crystalline salts.
In addition, it is important to have regular medical check-ups to detect and deal with any potential kidney problems in a timely manner. People with pre-existing kidney problems should consult their doctor for professional advice if they have any concerns or discomfort.