Mr. Li is a tea lover, and he always finds time to make a good cup of tea every day, whether he is busy or not, which he believes is the secret of his health.
However, one day, he read in an article that certain types of tea may be bad for health and even increase the risk of disease. This surprised and confused him, was it wrong to insist all along?
1. The positive association between tea and health
Tea, as a beverage with a long history, has long been integrated into the daily life of countless people. Not only that, but scientific studies have also confirmed the positive association between tea and health.
According to research, tea contains 28 of the 86 elements necessary for the human body, and these elements play a variety of important roles in the human body.
For example, iron contributes to blood formation, zinc is essential for the immune system, and potassium is essential for heart health.
Drinking tea is like adding a subtle regulator to the body, which can help us adjust our physique, improve immunity, and even reduce the risk of disease.
Data show that compared with those who do not drink tea, the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are significantly reduced, and the overall mortality risk is reduced by about 15%. This can't help but amaze people that this seemingly ordinary cup of tea has such magical powers.
2. The potential risks of specific teas
However, just as there is no such thing as a perfect person, there is another side to tea. Among the many teas, there are so many that they may bring unnecessary risks to our body.
Spoiled tea leaves are the first thing to be wary of. When tea leaves become moldy because of moisture, it can produce aflatoxin, a strong carcinogen.
Drinking tea leaves containing aflatoxin for a long time may increase the risk of liver cancer. In addition, scalding tea is not a good choice. Overheated tea may cause damage to the lining of the esophagus and stomach, which may increase the risk of esophageal cancer over time.
As for the first tea, because of the high possibility of pesticide residues, long-term consumption may cause chronic damage to the body. Finally, excessive concentrations of heavy metals and other harmful chemicals in long-brewed tea can also pose a threat to our health.
Behind this story, we see not only the tea itself, but also the thinking about how to make healthy choices. Tea is not a medicine, it doesn't have that effect, but it does have the ability to play a positive role in our lives.
As long as we choose and drink wisely, we will be able to enjoy the aroma of tea while having a healthy life. And this is exactly what every tea lover should remember.
Three or four types of tea should be avoided
While enjoying the benefits of tea, we also need to be wary of certain types of tea that can pose a threat to our health. Here are four types of tea that should be consumed as little as possible.
The first is spoiled tea. If the tea is not stored properly, it is susceptible to moisture and mildew, and the mildew tea will produce harmful substances such as aflatoxin, which is recognized as a strong carcinogen, and even if it is ingested in small amounts for a long time, it may increase the risk of liver cancer and other diseases.
Therefore, when choosing tea, it is important to pay attention to its freshness and avoid drinking tea leaves that have an off-flavor, abnormal color, or are obviously moldy.
Then there is the hot tea. Drinking overheated tea may cause damage to the esophageal and gastric mucosa, which may increase the risk of digestive disorders, including esophageal cancer, in the long run.
One study showed that people who regularly consumed hot beverages over 65°C had a higher risk of esophageal cancer than those who regularly consumed beverages at lower temperatures.
The first tea, the first brewing liquid of the tea leaves, often contains high pesticide residues. Although the tea plant itself is more adaptable to the environment, in modern agricultural production, the use of pesticides in order to increase yields has become almost universal. The concentration of pesticide residues in toudao tea is often the highest, and long-term consumption may cause adverse effects on human health.
Finally, there is the long-brewed tea. If the tea leaves are soaked in water for too long, it will cause a large amount of nutrients and harmful substances in the tea to be released at the same time.
In particular, the heavy metals and some harmful chemicals in tea will be dissolved in water in large quantities after long-term soaking, and may have adverse effects on the human body after drinking.
Fourth, the best practice of drinking tea
To make the most of the health benefits of tea while avoiding potential risks, it's crucial to adopt the right tea drinking habits.
When choosing tea, you should give preference to brands with good reputation and guaranteed quality, pay attention to check the production date and shelf life, and try to buy fresh tea. When storing tea, it is necessary to ensure that the storage environment is dry and ventilated to avoid the tea being damp and moldy.
The temperature at which the tea is consumed is also a detail that should not be overlooked. The recommended drinking temperature should be below 60°C, which can not only avoid damage to the esophagus and gastric mucosa, but also better retain the nutrients in the tea.
For the first course tea, it is recommended not to drink it directly. It can be brewed with hot water once, then discarded, and then brewed a second time to drink. This not only reduces the intake of pesticide residues, but also ensures the taste of the tea.
As for the tea brewing time, it is generally recommended to take 3 to 5 minutes. The time is too short, and the aroma and nutrients of tea are not fully released; If it takes too long, it may cause the tea to become bitter and the harmful substances will increase.
Through these best tea drinking practices, we can not only enjoy the health benefits of tea, but also effectively avoid potential health risks, and truly promote health while enjoying.
5. Drink tea reasonably and enjoy a healthy life
In daily life, tea, as a healthy drink, undoubtedly brings us many benefits. However, to fully enjoy the benefits of tea while avoiding potential risks, a reasonable tea drinking habit is crucial.
Drinking tea reasonably is not only a way of life, but also a healthy attitude. By choosing high-quality teas, controlling the water temperature and brewing time, avoiding overheated teas, and avoiding spoiled tea, we can maximize the benefits of tea while minimizing potential health risks.
When enjoying the pleasure of tea, we should also keep in mind that health is paramount. We should not only pay attention to the diversity and balance of the diet, but also pay attention to the safety and health of the diet.
summary
As an important drink, the choice and drinking method of tea need to be treated carefully. Only through the scientific way of drinking tea can we truly enjoy the health benefits brought by tea and make tea a boost to our healthy life.