Why Does Tea Make You Nauseated? (2024)

EC: Why Does Tea Make You Nauseated?

Why Does Tea Make You Nauseated? (2)

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After drinking tea, have you ever wondered why tea makes you feel nauseated, or have you questioned why you’re throwing up after drinking tea? You’re not the only one. Even if you’re a consistent tea drinker, it’s possible that tea makes you feel sick. The reasons behind nausea don’t have to do with the type of tea you’re consuming, or whether it’s served hot or cold. In fact, it all comes down to one ingredient that you probably didn’t know is present in all teas: tannin. Wondering what is tannin? Tannin is a bitter-tasting, organic substance, and you’ll most likely hear of it while a sommelier is describing wine. When a wine is high in tannins or is tannic, you might experience a dry sensation in your mouth while drinking a glass. Tea, like wine, contains tannin, and consuming it, especially on an empty stomach, can lead you to feel nauseated.

Why is tannin in tea to begin with? Tannin is known to kill bacteria, and it’s a naturally occurring compound in tea––and especially potent in black tea––that results in that bitter tang. So, whenever any type of tea is brewed for longer than two minutes, the tannin from the tea leaves will seep into the brew. The stronger the tea, the more tannin there will be. If you prefer less tannin in your tea to avoid feeling sick, brew it at a lower heat for less time.

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Why Does Tea Make You Nauseated? (3)

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You can also try adding milk to tea; milk binds the tannin, lowering its nausea-inducing capabilities. Most importantly, if you’re planning on drinking tea, make sure that you’ve eaten something beforehand to guarantee your stomach isn’t empty. Or do like the Brits, and serve your tea with biscuits.

If you sip tea and find that you’re unable to escape the nausea, we have a couple of suggestions to help you feel better.

1. For quick relief, eat a piece of bread or other starches like rice.
2. Eat or drink ginger. Chewing a piece right off the root (without swallowing it) will help with the nausea.
3. Drink baking soda and water. Stir ½ teaspoon into one cup of water.

Why Does Tea Make You Nauseated? (2024)

FAQs

Why Does Tea Make You Nauseated? ›

Tea, like wine, contains tannin, and consuming it, especially on an empty stomach, can lead you to feel nauseated. Why is tannin in tea to begin with? Tannin is known to kill bacteria, and it's a naturally occurring compound in tea — and especially potent in black tea — that results in that bitter tang.

Why does tea make you nauseous? ›

Tannins in tea leaves are responsible for the bitter, dry taste of tea. The astringent nature of tannins can also irritate digestive tissue, potentially leading to uncomfortable symptoms, such as nausea or stomach ache ( 8 ). The amount of tea required to have this effect can vary dramatically depending on the person.

Why don't I feel good after drinking tea? ›

**Caffeine Sensitivity:** Tea contains caffeine, which is a stimulant. If you're sensitive to caffeine, even a moderate amount from tea can lead to symptoms like jitteriness, increased heart rate, and feeling weak or fatigued.

Why does green tea make me nauseous but not black tea? ›

The tannins present in the green tea increase the stomach acid which may cause stomach ache, nauseous feeling, or cause constipation. Thus, green tea is not consumed on an empty stomach . It is best to drink green tea after a meal or in-between meals.

Does tea make you feel less sick? ›

Lemon, peppermint or ginger teas have a pleasant taste and are also refreshing. The last two may also help to relieve nausea. It may help to avoid coffee, which has a strong taste and may also make you thirstier.

Does tea make nausea worse? ›

Does tea make nausea worse? While many teas are great for treating symptoms of nausea, sometimes tea can make you feel worse. In particular, if you consume too much caffeinated tea, it could exacerbate symptoms of nausea.

Why does tea and coffee make me nauseous? ›

Caffeine is a stimulant, so it encourages the digestive system to work a little faster, including creating more stomach acid than necessary. The specific acidity of the beans used in your brew can vary, so they may be the cause of your nausea.

Can you become intolerant to tea? ›

Allergies to tea are considered rare but do happen. In those cases, it is likely due to the tannins found in tea. These are groups of complex organic chemicals. They are oxidized during the curing process in tea, which is where black teas get their rich, full-bodied flavors.

Why do I feel weak and shaky after drinking tea? ›

Too much caffeine: Healthy adults can usually safely consume 400 mg of caffeine per day, but higher doses can be harmful. However, some people are more sensitive to caffeine, so they may experience negative effects — such as shakiness, weakness, and tiredness — at lower doses.

What tea is good when you don't feel good? ›

A comparison of the best teas for anxiety
TeaCaffeine-free?Best for
peppermintyesstress-relief, fatigue
chamomileyesrelaxation, stomach upset
lavenderyesanxiety-relief
valerianyesinsomnia
16 more rows
Jun 23, 2022

How to stop nausea fast? ›

Things that may help you stop feeling sick
  1. get plenty of fresh air.
  2. distract yourself – for example, listen to music or watch a film.
  3. take regular sips of a cold drink.
  4. drink ginger or peppermint tea.
  5. eat foods containing ginger – such as ginger biscuits.
  6. eat smaller, more frequent meals.

Who should avoid green tea? ›

Caffeine, including caffeine from green tea, may increase blood pressure in people taking propranolol (Inderal) and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL). These medications are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease. Blood-Thinning Medications. People who take warfarin (Coudamin) should not drink green tea.

Which tea has no tannins? ›

Herbal tea - normally no tannins or caffeine

Varieties include ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, hibiscus, jasmine, rosehip, peppermint, rooibos (red tea), chamomile, and echinacea.

What is the healthiest tea to drink daily? ›

What is the healthiest tea? Green tea will get you “the most bang for your buck” when it comes to nutritional benefits, Crumble Smith said. It has better antioxidant properties than black tea because it contains more polyphenols. Green tea contains several types of catechins, a group of flavonoid compounds.

Why do I feel nauseous all the time but never throw up? ›

What are the Most Common Causes of Constant Nausea? Chronic nausea lasts over a month. It may come and go, vary by day, or be constant. It could be caused by gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), pregnancy, other medical conditions, or even anxiety.

Why does co*ke help with nausea? ›

“Carbonation can help to reduce the total acidity of the stomach, which may help the nausea dissipate,” Dr. Szarka says. Because many people associate sweet flavors with contentment, a soda might further help bring that queasy feeling under control.

Are tannins in tea bad for you? ›

Tannins are considered nutritionally undesirable because they precipitate proteins, inhibit digestive enzymes and affect the utilization of vitamins and minerals. Tannin components have also been implicated in the high levels of cheek and oesophageal cancers in certain regions of the world.

How to neutralize tannins in tea? ›

If you have sensitive digestion, you can neutralize some of the tannins by adding a splash of milk to your teacup or having some food with your drink. As with everything, moderation is key.

What tea to drink when you feel nauseous? ›

6 Teas to Help with Nausea and an Upset Stomach
  • Ginger tea. If you're feeling under the weather, a cup of ginger tea is the best thing you can do! ...
  • Chamomile tea. ...
  • Peppermint tea. ...
  • Licorice root tea. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Black tea.
Aug 11, 2022

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