Drinking Green Tea on Empty Stomach: Is It Okay?

Green tea is a drink with many health benefits, including antioxidant and fat-burning effects, but there are times when you need to be mindful of when you drink it.

Here are some tips for drinking green tea on an empty stomach.

By understanding the most effective timing and method of drinking green tea, you can reduce the strain on your stomach and intestines while helping to maintain your daily health.

What Happens When Drinking Green Tea on Empty Stomach?

Strongly brewed tea is characterized by its rich umami and sweetness, allowing the original flavor and aroma of the tea to be strongly felt.

However, because it contains high levels of tannin, an astringent component, drinking it on an empty stomach can stimulate the stomach lining and cause stomach pain and indigestion.

The caffeine in green tea also stimulates the nerves and promotes the secretion of stomach acid, which can lead to stomach irritation.

Drinking green tea on an empty stomach should be done with caution.

Possible Side Effects of Drinking Green Tea on Empty Stomach

Strongly brewed tea contains large amounts of tannins and caffeine.

Tannins are the source of tea’s astringency and are known for their antioxidant properties.

However, if consumed on an empty stomach, tannins can stimulate the stomach lining and cause stomach pain and indigestion.

Additionally, the caffeine in green tea has stimulating and fatigue-relieving effects and activates the nerves that promote fat burning, but if consumed on an empty stomach, it stimulates the secretion of stomach acid and may cause stomach irritation.

It is best to avoid drinking green tea on an empty stomach or to drink it lightly brewed.

Ideally, green tea should be enjoyed after meals or with a light snack to fully reap its health benefits.

By carefully timing your consumption of green tea, you can reduce the strain on your stomach and intestines and enjoy the tea in a tasty and healthy way.

Stomach Pain / Stomachache

Although it varies from person to person, drinking green tea or other teas containing tannins and caffeine on an empty stomach may cause stomach pain and heartburn.

This is because tannins can stimulate the stomach lining, leading to stomach pain and indigestion.

Additionally, caffeine stimulates the secretion of stomach acid, which may cause stomach irritation.

For this reason, it is recommended to avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach.

Since coffee and tea also contain caffeine, those with sensitive stomachs may want to choose caffeine-free teas.

Nausea

The caffeine in green tea helps relieve fatigue and relax the body, but consuming large amounts at once may cause chest pain, dizziness, insomnia, and other symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting due to digestive irritation.

As long as you are mindful of the amount you consume, caffeine can have a positive effect on the body.

Green tea, in particular, contains theanine, which has a calming effect and helps moderate the strong effects of caffeine.

Enjoy green tea by being mindful of the amount you consume and when you drink it.

Burning Sensation

Drinking green tea on an empty stomach may cause symptoms of heartburn, such as a “queasy feeling in the chest” or “pain in the chest area.”

Heartburn is thought to be caused by the backflow of stomach contents, including stomach acid, into the esophagus, which stimulates the esophageal mucous membrane.

The caffeine and tannins in green tea are believed to stimulate the gastric mucosa when consumed in large quantities, causing discomfort and other heartburn symptoms.

When drinking tea on an empty stomach, it is best to choose hojicha, barley tea, or herbal teas that do not contain caffeine.

Constipation

Although green tea is considered healthy, drinking too much caffeine can cause diarrhea.

This is because caffeine stimulates the digestive system.

It is important to monitor your intake when enjoying green tea.

On the other hand, green tea is rich in dietary fiber, which helps regulate the intestinal environment.

Dietary fiber stimulates bowel movement and helps relieve constipation, so consuming an appropriate amount can help maintain a healthy stomach.

When drinking green tea, it is important to be careful not to drink too much and to observe moderation.

Drink green tea to maximize its health benefits from its rich nutrients while avoiding the potential downsides of excessive caffeine.

The Best Time to Drink Green Tea

Green tea contains high levels of tannin and caffeine when brewed in concentrated amounts.

Tannin is the source of tea’s astringency and has antioxidant properties, but if ingested on an empty stomach, it can stimulate the stomach lining and cause stomach pain and indigestion.

The caffeine in green tea has stimulant and fatigue-relieving effects and promotes fat burning, but if consumed on an empty stomach, it stimulates the secretion of stomach acid, which can cause stomach irritation.

Therefore, it is best to avoid strong green tea on an empty stomach or opt for a lighter brew.

To maximize the health benefits of green tea, enjoy it before or after meals, or with light snacks, to take advantage of its antioxidant and fat-burning effects while reducing the strain on your stomach.

By carefully timing your consumption, you can effectively absorb the abundant nutrients in green tea.