Is there any harm in adding ice cubes to tea?
Generally, adding ice cubes to tea can pose certain health risks. The specific reasons are as follows:
Tea contains abundant flavonoids, polyphenols, and other substances that help refresh the mind and prevent symptoms such as fatigue and weakness. However, adding ice cubes to tea may inhibit the production of conversion enzymes and could lead to loss of nutritional components in the tea. Drinking iced tea on an empty stomach may irritate the stomach, causing gastric spasms and resulting in poor appetite, nausea, or vomiting. Furthermore, iced tea contains higher levels of tannic acid, which may stimulate excessive gastric acid secretion after consumption. This over-secretion can lead to conditions such as gastric ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or duodenal ulcers.
When drinking tea, it is important to avoid consuming it before bedtime, as it may cause excessive mental alertness and lead to insomnia. If symptoms are severe, sleep disorders or even neurasthenia may develop.