Is tea easy on the stomach for those with sensitive digestive systems? Tea is only a mildly acidic drink so it is highly unlikely to cause stomach irritation. Most people tolerate mild to moderate consumption of tea.
I have researched the health benefits of tea significantly as a nutritionist and a dietician. Some of my clients ask if they can drink tea with stomach sensitivity problems. I tell them to go for it unless their doctors have specifically advised against it.
Read ahead to find out:
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Let’s be clear, tea is an acidic drink. Certain acidic foods can unsettle your stomach depending on what you eat. Acid levels in tea, however, are mild to very low. This means that most people can safely drink tea without worrying about abdominal pain or nausea.
Tea does contain mild to moderate levels of caffeine. If your digestive tract is sensitive to caffeine, drinking tea might cause symptoms of an upset stomach. Drinking decaffeinated tea will help you avoid any morning unpleasantness, if this is the case.
Tea also contains chemicals known as tannins. These compounds give tea its signature bitter taste. A regular cup of tea does not have enough tannin to cause health problems. However, if you drink more than three cups a day, these tannins might increase the acidity of your stomach, and cause pain.
Whether tea is good for an upset stomach or not depends on your condition. If your belly is hurting because of indigestion, menstrual cramps, or constipation, a cup of tea might help relieve the symptoms.
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Drinking tea will not help if your upset stomach is caused by an infection, food poisoning, food allergies, strained or pulled stomach muscles, or irritable bowel syndrome. Tea might even irritate your stomach if these problems are present.
Tea can help your upset stomach if the pain is temporary. If your stomach hurts for days on end, or if the pain keeps getting worse, you will need to go see a doctor immediately.
The varieties of tea found in the market today also affect your body differently. Not all teas have the same benefits. Here is a list of some of the best types of teas to relieve symptoms of an upset stomach:
You may already know that green tea has many health benefits. This tea is high in chemicals like polyphenols and catechins that can potentially reduce inflammation. So green tea is a safe bet if you want a morning beverage that won’t irritate your stomach.
Black tea is similar to green tea in health benefits. Researchers have been studying this tea for its purported ability to battle diarrhea. All in all, black tea will be a good choice if you want something that your stomach can easily tackle.
Peppermint has properties that can relieve pain and help intestinal muscles. Most people find the cooling feeling peppermint creates to be quite soothing. You can expect a cup of peppermint tea to go down easily.
There are studies to show that ginger root can help ease morning sickness and nausea. So, ginger tea is likely to provide relief for stomach sensitivity problems.
Tea is a mildly acidic drink that most people can drink without any problem. Certain varieties of tea may even help you ease problems of a sensitive or upset stomach.
However, drinking the right amount is important. If you overindulge, tea will not have a soothing effect on your body. Make sure to stick to one or two cups a day to make the most of the beverage and help ease your stomach condition.
