Staying hydrated is important during summer. Many people drink various types of tea instead of plain water, but there are some precautions to be aware of.

 

◇Caution: Excessive caffeine intake

 

If you drink green tea, black tea, or coffee instead of water, you should be cautious about excessive caffeine intake. Caffeine promotes diuresis, which can actually lead to greater dehydration in the body. The caffeine content per 100mL is approximately 25-50mg for green tea and 20-60mg for black tea. The recommended daily caffeine intake for adults is less than 400mg. If you drink green or black tea like water, you may exceed the appropriate caffeine intake. Excessive caffeine consumption can cause nervousness, insomnia, and gastrointestinal disturbances.

◇The day after drinking alcohol, only the appropriate amount of hovenia tea

 

Hovenia tea should not be consumed excessively either. Consuming high concentrations of components such as ampheropsin and hovenin from the Hovenia tree can impair liver function. In particular, people with elevated liver enzymes or existing liver conditions should avoid it. A study by the Seoul Asan Medical Center team analyzing patients who underwent liver transplants due to acute toxic hepatitis over 15 years identified Hovenia tree as one of the main causes.

 

 

◇A single glass of delicious plum tea in summer

 

Drinking more than three glasses of plum extract tea can actually irritate the stomach and intestines. The sugar content in plum extract is higher than expected. According to the Korea Consumer Agency, an investigation into the sugar content of 33 types of homemade plum extract showed that the average sugar content is 49.6g per 100g. Diluting plum extract with water in a 1:4 ratio to a 200-milliliter serving (the standard single serving of fruit and vegetable beverages) results in an intake of about 20g of sugar. Drinking two glasses would introduce 40 to 46g of sugar into the body. This amount is comparable to the World Health Organization's daily recommended sugar intake of 50g. Homemade plum extract may have a lower sugar content than commercially available ones, but the difference is not significant.

 

Excessive intake of sugar prevents it from being properly expelled from the body, causing it to circulate throughout the entire body. During this process, sugar can act as a toxin and induce toxicity. In particular, sugar is converted into fat and accumulates, making it easy to gain weight. Diabetic patients should be cautious, as even a small amount of plum extract can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. It is recommended to drink only one glass of water mixed with plum extract per day.

 

◇Recommend grain tea as a substitute for water

 

Grain teas such as barley tea and brown rice tea are representative teas that can be consumed instead of water.

 

Grain tea contains no sugar or caffeine and is rich in dietary fiber and minerals. It also protects the stomach lining and improves intestinal function, aiding bowel movements. It contains beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which eliminate active oxygen in the body, boost immunity, and have anti-aging effects. Among herbal teas, hibiscus tea and chamomile tea are also good to drink instead of water. Hibiscus tea, which has a tangy and sweet taste, contains catechin and gallic acid, which help with weight loss. It also helps control cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Chamomile tea has excellent nerve calming effects and helps with sleep. According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania, people who drank chamomile tea experienced a reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to before drinking.

 

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Tea with a little bit of sugar

For those who find it difficult to drink water in a day

 

Grain tea (water substitute tea) is also good for health.