Introduction: Many people are accustomed to drinking a cup of tea immediately after meals, believing that it can aid digestion. In fact, this is not a good habit; it can lead to indigestion and even increase the risk of developing kidney stones. Thus, there's a saying in Chinese folklore: "Drinking tea after a meal is like drinking poison." So, what exactly is the reason behind this?
"Tea contains tannic acid and theobromine, both of which can affect the body's digestion of food," explained a researcher from a pharmaceutical institute in an interview with *Life Times*. Gastric and intestinal fluids are essential for digesting food. However, when tannic acid enters the gastrointestinal tract, it inhibits the secretion of these fluids, leading to indigestion. Moreover, tannic acid can bind with proteins found in meat, eggs, tofu, dairy products, and other foods, forming insoluble tannin-protein complexes that are difficult to digest.
It is particularly important to note that if your food contains metallic elements such as iron or magnesium, tannic acid may react with them, potentially causing stone formation over time.
Additionally, gastric acid is acidic, while tea is alkaline. Drinking tea immediately after a meal not only suppresses the secretion of gastric acid but also dilutes it, affecting the secretion of enzymes like pepsin and thereby impairing digestion. Experiments have shown that consuming tea made from 15 grams of tea leaves after a meal can reduce the absorption of iron from food by 50%. The stronger the tea, the more harmful it is to the body.
When dining at a restaurant, people often order a cup of tea before the food arrives. Li Hongzhu reminds us that it’s best to avoid drinking tea before meals as well. If you must drink tea, opt for lighter teas like chrysanthemum tea, but remember not to drink tea during the meal, as this can exacerbate indigestion.
So, what should we drink after eating? Experts suggest that plain water is the best post-meal beverage—it refreshes the mouth without affecting digestion. You can drink light tea about half an hour after eating.
What else should we avoid doing after meals?
**1. Don't eat fruit immediately after meals**
Eating fruit right after a meal is a common habit, but it is incorrect. Fruits contain simple sugars, which are usually absorbed in the small intestine. When eaten after a meal, fruits can be blocked by other foods in the stomach, leading to two problems: first, they interfere with food digestion, and second, if they stay too long, the simple sugars may ferment, causing bloating, diarrhea, excessive stomach acid, or constipation.
Also, after eating fish or shrimp, it's not advisable to consume acidic fruits like grapes immediately, as the high protein and calcium content in fish and shrimp can react with the tannins in fruits, forming substances that are hard to digest and causing gastrointestinal discomfort.
The best time to eat fruit is 2-3 hours after a meal or 1 hour before eating. If you've consumed processed meats, eating citrus fruits like oranges or lemons can be beneficial because the vitamin C in these fruits can effectively inhibit the formation of nitrosamines, a preservative used in some processed meats, promoting health.
**2. Avoid bathing, brushing teeth, and loosening your belt**
Bathing after meals increases blood flow to the skin, reducing blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract and weakening digestive function, leading to indigestion. Some people enjoy brushing their teeth right after eating, but this can damage the enamel that has become softened. Additionally, loosening your belt might feel comfortable, but it decreases intra-abdominal pressure, forcing the stomach to sag. This increases the load on digestive organs and ligaments, intensifies intestinal peristalsis, and can lead to issues like intestinal torsion, obstruction, or even gastropexy (stomach prolapse).
**3. Avoid exercising and singing**
Although the saying "take a hundred steps after a meal" has some merit, elderly individuals should avoid exercising within half an hour of eating, as the stomach becomes heavy due to food intake. Physical activity at this time causes the stomach to endure "turbulence," affecting digestion. Immediate walking after meals can cause dizziness, fatigue, and vertigo in seniors with coronary heart disease or myocardial infarction. For those with ulcers or gastropexy, it can worsen their condition. It's better to sit quietly for 30 minutes after eating before engaging in any activity.
For younger people, it's best not to sing on a full stomach. As the saying goes, "sing hungry, blow full," because singing after a large meal lowers the diaphragm and increases abdominal pressure, leading to mild indigestion or severe gastrointestinal discomfort.
**4. Avoid sleeping immediately after eating**
After eating, the stomach is full of food, and the digestive system is active. Sleeping at this time interferes with gastric digestion and affects nutrient absorption. Additionally, the brain receives less blood supply after meals, and going straight to bed can lead to insufficient blood flow to certain areas of the brain, increasing the risk of stroke. Furthermore, sleeping slows down the body's metabolic rate, making it easier for calories from food to convert into fat, leading to weight gain.
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