Lao Zhang, who is 65 years old this year, has a habit of making a pot of hot tea every morning, sitting on the balcony and watching the pedestrians rush by on the street. This habit has been going on for decades, but recently he has found that he doesn't sleep well at night, waking up in the middle of the night and feeling bad the next day.
Lao Zhang's son, a doctor, told him that it might have something to do with the tea he drank — especially the strong evening tea.
As we get older, should we adjust our tea drinking habits? Many people may say, "Don't drink tea when you're older", but is there really a scientific basis?
1. "Drinking tea at an old age": the scientific basis behind it
For many seniors, tea is not just a drink, but also a enjoyment of life. However, as we age, the various functions of the body also gradually decline.
For older adults, sleep quality and nutrient absorption are of particular concern, both of which can be affected by tea intake.
1. Sleep quality and tea intake: Caffeine in tea is a known central nervous system stimulant. Studies have shown that older people may have increased sensitivity to caffeine because of physiological changes.
As a result, excessive caffeine intake, especially at night, may interfere with normal sleep patterns and lead to decreased sleep quality. Controlling caffeine intake in moderation, especially avoiding high-caffeinated beverages at night, is a key to maintaining a good night's sleep.
2. Tannic acid and nutrient absorption in tea: Tea not only contains caffeine, but also has a certain amount of tannic acid. Tannic acid binds to iron ions in food and certain vitamins such as vitamin B1, affecting the absorption of these nutrients.
This is especially important for older people who are already at risk of malnutrition. Therefore, appropriately reducing the intake of tea, especially drinking strong tea immediately after meals, can avoid this nutrient absorption interference.
2. The benefits of drinking tea in moderation
Despite these concerns, drinking tea in moderation can still have many benefits for the elderly. Tea not only provides a sense of solace for the soul, but also helps to keep the body healthy.
Several studies have shown that the antioxidants in tea can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Green and black teas, in particular, are rich in substances such as polyphenols and catechins that are thought to be beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Although tea intake has its pros and cons, the elderly can still enjoy the benefits of tea on the basis of maintaining moderate amounts.
3. Precautions: "2 don't drink, 3 don't do"
The elderly need to pay special attention to some details when drinking tea to avoid the adverse effects of tea. Here are the do's and don'ts of "2 don't drink, 3 don't do":
1. Don't drink strong tea: Strong tea has a high content of caffeine and tannins, which can easily cause a burden on the body. Studies have shown that excessive intake of caffeine may cause heart palpitations, headaches and other uncomfortable symptoms, while tannic acid may interfere with the absorption of iron ions and vitamin B1, affecting the nutritional status of the body.
Therefore, the elderly should try to avoid too strong tea, and choosing the right amount of tea is more beneficial to health.
2. Don't drink long-brewed tea: If the tea leaves are soaked in water for too long, it will lead to the release of harmful substances in the tea, such as the substances produced by the oxidation of tea polyphenols, which may be bad for the body.
At the same time, long-term soaking will also cause more dissolution of components such as caffeine and tannic acid in the tea, increasing the intake of these harmful components. Therefore, the elderly should pay attention to the time when making tea and control the steeping time of the tea to avoid the tea becoming too strong.
3. It is not advisable to drink tea on an empty stomach: Drinking tea on an empty stomach may irritate the gastric mucosa, increase the burden on the stomach, and cause problems such as indigestion. Especially for the elderly with a sensitive gastrointestinal tract, drinking tea on an empty stomach may cause stomach discomfort and even aggravate gastritis and other diseases. Therefore, it is best for the elderly to eat something before drinking tea to reduce the irritation of the stomach caused by tea.
Fourth, it is not advisable to drink tea immediately after eating
Drinking tea immediately after a meal may affect the normal functioning of the digestive system. On the one hand, ingredients such as caffeine and tannic acid in tea may interfere with the absorption of nutrients from foods, especially for foods containing ingredients such as iron ions and vitamin B1.
On the other hand, the caffeine in tea may stimulate gastric acid secretion, leading to an increase in gastric acid, which in turn affects the digestive function of the stomach and causes problems such as stomach discomfort.
Therefore, it is best for the elderly to wait for a period of time after meals before drinking tea to ensure the normal absorption of nutrients in food and avoid the irritation of the stomach by tea.
Fifth, the right time and way to drink tea
In the tea drinking habits of the elderly, it is not only necessary to pay attention to avoid "2 do not drink, 3 do not do", but also master the correct time and way of drinking tea to make full use of the health benefits of tea.
1. Choose the right time to drink tea: For the elderly, the morning or afternoon can be the best time to drink tea. During these two periods, the physical and mental state of the person is relatively stable, and drinking tea can provide the necessary refreshing effect without excessively affecting the night's sleep.
Afternoon tea, in particular, is not only a way for the elderly to relax and unwind, but also to replenish the energy gradually consumed throughout the day.
2. Reasonable control of tea type and temperature: Different tea varieties have different health benefits. For example, green tea is rich in catechins, which help boost antioxidant capacity; Black tea is rich in thearubigins, which help improve blood circulation.
Choosing tea that suits your physique can better play the health care function of tea. At the same time, avoid drinking excessively hot tea to reduce irritation to the mouth and esophagus.
6. Interaction between tea and drugs
For older people who are taking certain medications, it is also important to be aware of possible interactions between the medication and the tea ingredients when drinking tea.
Certain medications, such as iron, certain antibiotics, etc., react with the tannic acid in tea and may affect the absorption and effectiveness of the drug.
Therefore, if older people are taking these medications, they should avoid drinking tea immediately before and after taking them. It is advisable to communicate with a doctor or pharmacist to understand the specific interactions between the medication you are taking and the tea to avoid potential health risks.
summary
While there are many potential benefits of tea drinking for the elderly, the right way to drink tea and proper precautions are key to ensuring that these benefits are realized.
While enjoying the pleasure of drinking tea, the elderly should also pay attention to adjusting their tea drinking habits to adapt to the changes in their bodies with age. Hopefully, this information will help seniors enjoy every cup of tea healthier.