Drinking tea is one of life’s greatest pleasures—it helps you stay alert, relieves stress, and enhances social gatherings. However, many people experience stomach pain when drinking tea on an empty stomach, sometimes severe enough to make them afraid of tea altogether. Let us walk you through why drinking tea on an empty stomach causes stomachaches and share some simple tips to prevent them.
Why Does Drinking Tea on an Empty Stomach Cause Stomach Pain?
The main culprit is theophylline in tea leaves. Theophylline stimulates gastric acid secretion. When there is no food in your stomach, stomach acid directly contacts the stomach lining, leading to discomfort or pain. Additionally, tea polyphenols can irritate the stomach when it’s empty, making discomfort even more noticeable for those with sensitive digestive systems.
What to Do If You Get a Stomach Ache After Drinking Tea?
Avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach: The most direct and effective prevention method is simply not drinking tea on an empty stomach. Don’t reach for tea the moment you wake up; eat a small snack first, such as toast or crackers.
Choose fermented teas: Black tea, Pu-erh, and heavily fermented oolongs contain less free theophylline and are much gentler on the stomach. In contrast, fresh tea leaves, green tea, and lightly fermented oolong teas are more likely to trigger discomfort.
Reduce tea concentration: Ingesting too much theophylline is the main cause of stomach aches, so avoiding overly strong tea is key. Try using less tea leaf and shortening the steeping time to lower the concentration of theophylline and caffeine.
Avoid drinking large quantities of tea: For the same reason, consuming a large amount of tea in a short period—even if it’s light—accumulates enough theophylline to trigger a stomach ache. This is especially true for tea beginners or those who rarely drink tea, as their bodies have lower tolerance and are easily prone to stomach discomfort.
What to Do If You Get a Stomach Ache After Drinking Tea?
Drinking tea is a healthy and beneficial habit, but while enjoying your brew, it’s important to avoid putting unnecessary stress on your body. By choosing the right teas, adjusting how you drink them, and avoiding empty stomachs, you can effectively minimize the chances of stomach pain.