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Uremia is a serious kidney disease that often occurs in association with long-term renal impairment. In mainland China, the incidence of uremia is on the rise, which has attracted widespread attention from the medical community.
In recent years, some studies have shown that certain tea-drinking habits may be associated with the development of kidney disease. So, does drinking tea really cause uremia? Which teas are bad for the kidneys? Let's find out.
Aunt Li is a 62-year-old retired teacher whose biggest hobby on weekdays is tea drinking. She drinks several cups of strong tea every day, believing that it will be a good way to maintain health. However, in the past six months, Aunt Li has always felt unwell, often feeling fatigue and fatigue, loss of appetite, and mild edema.
Under the persuasion of her family, Aunt Li came to the central hospital for treatment. After carefully inquiring about Aunt Li's symptoms and lifestyle habits, the doctor decided to do a series of examinations for her.
Doctor: Aunt Li, how are your usual eating habits? Especially the habit of drinking tea?
Aunt Li: I drink tea every day, a cup of strong Pu'er tea in the morning to refresh me, some green tea to digest at noon, and a cup of black tea to help me sleep in the evening. I think drinking tea is quite healthy.
Doctor: I understand your thoughts. However, based on your symptoms and test results, I suspect that you may have chronic renal insufficiency and even risk of developing uremia.
Aunt Li (surprised): How can this be? I've been paying attention to my health, is it a problem with drinking tea?
Doctor: Aunt Li, you're right, drinking tea may indeed be related to your kidney function problems. While drinking tea in moderation is good for your health, excessive consumption of certain tea leaves, especially strong tea, may cause damage to the kidneys.
Aunt Li: So which teas are harmful to the kidneys?
Doctor: According to research, the following four types of tea can cause greater damage to the kidneys: the first is strong tea, the second is low-quality tea, the third is fermented tea, and the fourth is tea with additives.
Among them, strong and fermented teas, such as Pu-erh tea and black tea, which you often drink, contain higher concentrations of oxalic acid and tannic acid, and long-term consumption of large amounts may increase the risk of kidney stones and kidney damage.
Aunt Li: I always thought that the stronger the tea, the better. So how should you drink tea to be healthy?
Doctor: Drinking tea in moderation is key. It is recommended that you drink no more than 3 grams of tea per day, and it is best to choose weak tea, such as green tea or white tea. At the same time, avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach, because it is easy to irritate the gastric mucosa and affect nutrient absorption.
Aunt Li: Am I in serious condition now? Is there any salvation?
Doctor: Don't worry, Aunt Li. Your situation is not too serious, and it is good to find out in time. Next, we will develop a comprehensive treatment plan for you, including dietary changes, medication and regular check-ups. As long as you actively cooperate with the treatment and maintain good lifestyle habits, it is possible to improve kidney function.
Aunt Li's experience is not unique. According to statistics, there are currently about 120 million patients with chronic kidney disease in mainland China, of which more than 1 million are uremia patients. Behind this number, improper tea drinking habits may be an important factor that has been overlooked.
How to protect the health of your kidneys while enjoying the aroma of tea? Here are some suggestions:
Choose high-quality teas: Avoid buying tea leaves of unknown or inferior origin to reduce the risk of pesticide residues and heavy metal contamination.
Control the amount of tea you drink: Drink no more than 3 grams of tea per day, and avoid drinking a large amount of strong tea for a long time.
Reasonable matching: When drinking tea, you can match some protein foods, such as milk, soy milk, etc., to reduce the impact of tea polyphenols on protein absorption.
Avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach: It is best to wait half an hour to an hour after a meal to reduce irritation to the gastrointestinal tract.
Choose the right type of tea: Light fermented teas such as green tea and white tea are relatively healthier and can be appropriately substituted for heavy fermented tea.
Regular physical examination: Especially for middle-aged and elderly people, renal function tests should be done every year to detect problems early.
Returning to Aunt Li's story, after three months of treatment and conditioning, her kidney function has improved significantly. She has now developed a healthy habit of drinking tea, drinking only a small cup of light green tea every day, and her mental state is much better than before.
Tea, as an important part of traditional Chinese culture, does have its own unique charm and health value. However, we also need to recognize that it is too much. Drinking tea in moderation and choosing a healthy way to drink tea can truly enjoy the benefits of tea and protect our kidney health.
I hope everyone can be like Aunt Li, pay attention to their health and develop good living habits. Let's work together to taste a healthy and beautiful life while tasting tea.
What do you have to say about this? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!