Doctors often advise against drinking tea on an empty stomach in the morning or before bedtime, as tea's stimulating properties can cause stomach pain, insomnia, and other side effects. This perception leads many consumers to believe that drinking tea on an empty stomach or regularly causes stomach discomfort. However, this notion is not entirely accurate.
The primary causes of stomach pain and insomnia from tea consumption stem from undesirable components like raw water and green water present in tea leaves. If these elements aren't fully removed during roasting, they can easily trigger stomach discomfort or sleep disturbances. Individuals with sensitive digestive systems should avoid raw tea, as it contains high levels of raw water and green water, which can cause stomach discomfort.Tea can be consumed on an empty stomach or before bed, though it's advisable to avoid overly strong brews before sleep. Moderate, timely consumption benefits health. By carefully selecting teas suited to one's constitution, discomfort or gastrointestinal pain can be avoided.
For those with sensitive stomachs, opt for heavily roasted teas like 2-point roast, 3-point roast, 8-point roast, aged teas, or old teas according to personal preference. Roasted teas have a milder nature, allowing long-term consumption without side effects like stomach pain or insomnia.
Avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach in the morning. Upon waking, refrain from drinking tea immediately before eating. Tea contains alkaloids like caffeine. Consuming tea on an empty stomach allows excessive caffeine absorption in the intestines, potentially causing temporary adrenal cortex hyperactivity in some individuals. Symptoms may include palpitations, dizziness, weakness in limbs, and mental confusion.Individuals who do not regularly consume tea, particularly those who drink strong tea on an empty stomach in the morning, are more susceptible to these symptoms. This phenomenon is medically termed "tea intoxication." Should it occur, simply sucking on candy or drinking sugary water can alleviate the discomfort.
Middle-aged and elderly individuals with gastric or duodenal ulcers should avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach in the morning, especially strong tea. Excessive tannic acid can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, potentially worsening the condition and causing indigestion or constipation.
Additionally, most teas contain fluoride, and drinking tea on an empty stomach can lead to excessive fluoride intake. Accumulation of fluoride in the body may cause intestinal disorders, reduce muscle elasticity, impair nerve function, damage teeth, and even have toxic effects on bone health.Measurements indicate that compressed tea releases 0.25 milligrams of fluoride per gram, while fresh tea leaves release only 0.06 milligrams per gram. Generally, consuming 3 to 10 grams of tea daily, as calculated above, clearly won't cause excessive fluoride intake. However, drinking tea on an empty stomach in the morning, especially strong tea, over the long term may lead to chronic fluoride poisoning and trigger the aforementioned symptoms.