Drinking tea in moderation can have beneficial effects on the body, but caution should be taken with some types of tea and ways of drinking tea to avoid any negative health impacts.
1. Strong Tea
Strong tea can easily cause cardiac discomfort as it contains caffeine and theophylline. In addition, the tannic acid in strong tea may interact with the iron element in food, forming insoluble substances that interfere with iron absorption.
2. Moldy Tea
Moldy tea leaves may be contaminated by microorganisms like Penicillium and Aspergillus, causing the tea to lose its normal aroma. Consuming moldy tea could potentially harm the body and cause symptoms such as dizziness and diarrhea. Moldy tea leaves usually have visible white mold spots and emit a damp, musty odor. Therefore, tea leaves should be stored in a dry place to avoid becoming moldy.
3. Scalding Tea
While tea generally needs to be brewed with boiling water, drinking scalding tea could cause injuries to the oral and esophageal mucosa, leading to ulcers. Long-term consumption of scalding tea may increase the risk of oral and esophageal cancer.
4. Burnt-Tasting Tea
If the tea leaves are over-roasted during the manufacturing process, they can develop a burnt taste. This could potentially damage the beneficial nutrients in the tea leaves and certain components that determine the taste of the tea. Additionally, burnt-tasting tea may contain a certain amount of carcinogens.