Don’t think that all tea is good for your health! Harvard doctor reveals 7 tea-drinking habits that are bad for your stomach and liver

Tea is beneficial to the human body, but if you drink tea in an improper way on a daily basis, it may invisibly harm the stomach and liver. A Harvard-trained gastroenterologist warned that tea drinks that appear to be healthy actually have hidden dangers. He compiled the top 7 tea-drinking habits that are most damaging to the stomach and liver.

Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist who trained at Harvard, reminded on Instagram that you should review your tea drinking habits, because some habits may be quietly harming your health. He listed 7 of the worst tea-drinking habits that can ruin your stomach and liver, and explained the common mistakes and their health risks one by one.

{9 99} 1. Drink tea on an empty stomach

Dr. Sethi warns not to drink tea on an empty stomach. It is best to drink tea before or with food. Drinking tea on an empty stomach will irritate the gastric mucosa due to the acidity, caffeine and tannins of the tea, causing gastroesophageal reflux, nausea or discomfort. Tea has a diuretic effect and may cause mild dehydration. It can also interfere with iron absorption, which is especially detrimental to people with iron deficiency anemia.

2． Drink high-sugar iced tea or milk tea

He reminded that iced tea or milk tea often contains 30 to 40 grams of sugar (about the amount of 1 to 1.3 cans of sugary drinks). Long-term intake of such high-sugar tea drinks will increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes.

3. Detox tea, slimming tea

Many teas advertised as detoxifying or slimming actually have the effect of "laxative ingredients". Excessive drinking can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and even damage to gastrointestinal health. He reminded not to drink excessive amounts and to follow the medical unit’s guidelines on the use of laxatives.

4. Excessive intake of green tea extract

Although green tea itself is healthy and contains antioxidants and polyphenols, if you don't like the taste of tea and take green tea supplements instead, you need to pay special attention. He pointed out that excessive use of green tea extract is associated with "rare but real liver toxicity" and that reliance on supplements should be avoided.

5． Dr. Sethi recommends that after drinking hot tea that has been boiled, it must be cooled to below 65% 26 degrees C before drinking.

Studies show that regular drinking of tea with a concentration higher than 65% 26deg;C will increase the risk of esophageal cancer. A 2020 Chinese study even pointed out that the habit of drinking very hot tea is related to an increased risk of "esophageal squamous cell cancer".

6. Drink caffeinated tea at night

Although tea contains less caffeine than coffee, you should still avoid drinking tea with caffeine such as milk tea, black tea, and green tea at night. Caffeine will interfere with sleep quality, and disrupted sleep will reduce the body's ability to repair at night, including the repair of the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

7. Excessive consumption of bubble milk tea

He reminded that bubble milk tea contains a lot of sugar, and the pearls made from tapioca powder tend to accumulate calories, which often makes people consume too much without realizing it. Long-term overdose may lead to insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

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A post shared by Saurabh Sethi MD MPH | Gastroenterologist (@doctor.sethi)