4 Times Not to Drink Tea: Traditional Chinese Advice
Chinese tea drinkers traditionally avoid tea on four occasions: on an empty stomach, together with alcohol, with medicine, and right before bed. The reasons come down to caffeine and tea polyphenols, which can feel harsh on an empty stomach, add to the stimulation of alcohol, interact with some medicines and keep you awake at night.
Here is the traditional advice for each occasion, plus simple ways to enjoy tea at the right time.
Why not drink tea on an empty stomach?
When you haven’t eaten, your blood sugar is low. Traditional advice says the caffeine and tea polyphenols in tea can then leave you dizzy, weak or with an upset stomach. Chinese tea drinkers call this feeling 茶醉 (chá zuì, “tea drunk”). Have a small snack first, or start with a mellow black tea or ripe pu-erh rather than strong green tea.
Should you drink tea with alcohol?
Many people drink strong tea to sober up, but traditional advice says this is a mistake. Both caffeine and alcohol stimulate the body, and tea doesn’t speed up sobering up. If you’ve been drinking, plain water is the better choice.
Can you take medicine with tea?
Traditional advice says no. Compounds in tea may react with some medicines and make them work less effectively. A common rule of thumb is to wait about 2 hours after taking pills before drinking tea. Always follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s advice for your own medicine.
Is it okay to drink tea before bed?
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, so tea late at night can keep you awake. If you love an evening cup, choose a lighter brew, use less leaf and finish it a few hours before bedtime. See caffeine in different types of tea for gentler options.
These are traditional views, not medical claims. Tea is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.
When is the best time to drink tea?
- Mid-morning: green or white tea, after breakfast.
- After lunch: oolong or ripe pu-erh, which tradition says suits a full stomach.
- Afternoon: black tea, warm and mellow.
For more, read tea at different times of day and why tea can’t replace water.
FAQ
Can I drink tea first thing in the morning?
Traditional advice suggests eating something first. A mellow black tea after breakfast is a gentle start.
How long after medicine should I wait to drink tea?
A common rule of thumb is about 2 hours, but ask your doctor or pharmacist about your specific medicine.
What tea is best in the evening?
A light brew of ripe pu-erh or black tea, finished a few hours before bed, is the usual choice.