Tea is a very healthy drink -- and most people in the world can attest to this. Although it has been drunk for thousands of years (particularly green tea, in China, where it originated from), modern tea drinkers still have a lot of questions (which are very legit. For instance, some of you may ask yourselves "Is tea acidic?", as well as "how does tea affect my stomach and my digestive system?".
If you are among those who have such questions, you are in the right place. Our tea blog has answers -- so read on if you want to find out more.
Is Tea Acidic?
As is the case with any other drink, the answer to this question depends on the type of tea you are drinking. For example, black tea is more acidic than green tea because it is oxidized. This is why black tea has a stronger flavor and is more astringent than green tea.
Interestingly, white tea is also less acidic than green tea because it is made from young leaves and buds which haven't been exposed to as much sunlight. This means that the production process for white tea is much slower, and results in a milder flavor.
That said, all types of tea have different levels of acidity due to the different processing methods used (fermentation, oxidation, etc). Here is a list of some of the most popular types of tea (including herbal teas) and how acidic they are:
- Green tea: pH 3.5
- Oolong tea: pH 4.0
- Black tea: pH 4.5
- White tea: pH 5.0
- Chamomile tea: pH 6.0
- Peppermint tea: pH 6.5
- Rooibos tea: pH 7.0
- Honeybush tea: pH 7.5
As you can see, green tea is the least acidic of all the teas on this list. However, it is important to note that even green tea has some level of acidity -- so if you are particularly sensitive to acids, you may want to avoid drinking it.
How Does Tea Affect My Stomach and Digestive System?
Again, this depends on the type of tea you are drinking. Black and green teas contain caffeine, which is a stimulant and can cause gastric problems such as heartburn.
Furthermore, what you add to your tea might actually have a huge influence on how acidic your drink becomes. For instance (as it would come without saying), adding lemon or orange to your tea would automatically make it more acidic.
Other than that, tea is known to have positive effects on your digestive system's health. Green tea, in particular, is a powerful antioxidant and has been linked with lower rates of cancer and heart disease. Furthermore, it also helps make digestion more efficient.
Other teas, such as peppermint tea and chamomile tea are also known to be used as remedies for upset stomachs. So if you're feeling a little queasy, why not try drinking some tea instead of turning to over-the-counter medication?
Acidic Tea: FAQs
What tea is good for acid reflux?
If you are looking for a tea that is specifically good for acid reflux, try drinking chamomile or ginger tea. Both of these teas are known to help soothe the stomach and reduce inflammation.
Is green tea good for acid reflux?
Although green tea is not specifically good for acid reflux, it is a low-acid tea that is gentle on the stomach. This makes it a good choice for people who are struggling with GERD or acid reflux.
