Will drinking tea cause acid reflux?

Will drinking tea cause tooth decay?

Will drinking tea cause stomach acidity?

Tea has been a beloved beverage for centuries, cherished for its diverse flavors and potential health benefits. However, there’s often confusion surrounding its acidity level. Many people believe that tea is acidic, but the reality is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Let’s delve into the science behind tea’s acidity and debunk some common misconceptions.

Black Teas

While I am not a medical researcher or a gastroenterologist, I can only provide a general guide based on research and studies that I have come across about the acidity in tea. Needless to say, those with serious or chronic gastric ailments need to check with qualified physicians and specialists.

Before we go on to the key question – is tea acidic, let us quickly have a look.

Stomach Acidity or Acid Reflux

The chronic name of stomach acidity is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, also known as Acid Reflux. Stomach acidity, commonly known as acid reflux, occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing discomfort such as heartburn or indigestion. Certain foods and beverages, including acidic drinks like coffee and citrus juices, can exacerbate acid reflux symptoms. Other symptoms of Acid Reflux include Bloating, Burping, Hiccups, Nausea and Dry Cough.

Is Tea Acidic?

Acidity is determined on the pH scale. The neutral point in the pH scale is 7. Pure distilled water is 7 on the pH scale. Lemon is around 2 on the pH scale, indicating it is highly acidic.

Any food below 4 on the pH scale is considered to be highly acidic and is very likely to have a detrimental effect on digestion and cause Acid Reflux as well as tooth decay.

Fortunately, most teas are very mildly acidic. All Black Teas are between 4.9-and 5.5 on the pH scale. However, there are some teas where the acidity falls as low as 3 on the pH scale. It would also be important to remember that the exact acidity level in each tea will depend on several factors like the type of tea, the region where it was grown and the season when it was harvested. Green Tea, for example, is known to be less acidic than Black Tea, with a pH of 7-10. Herbal Teas like Chamomile Tea, Mint Tea and Fennel Tea are very close to neutral, ranging between 6-7 on the pH scale, while Fruit Teas like Blackberry and Rosehip are very acidic, ranging between 2-3 on the pH scale.

Understanding the pH of popular teas can help individuals make informed choices about their beverage preferences.

pH of Popular Teas

TEA	pH Scale Average
Black Tea	4.9 – 5.5
Green Tea	7 – 10
Herbal Teas (Chamomile, Mint)	6 – 7
Fruit Teas (Blackberry)	2 – 3

In comparison, pure fruit juices have pH between 3-4, while fizzy drinks (regular or diet), sports drinks and other energy drinks have pH between 2-3.

How To Make Tea (Yet Less) Acidic

If you still want to make your tea less acidic, here are simple ways to do this:

• For Black Tea – steep your tea for less than the recommended time
• For Black Tea – use a lesser quantity of tea leaves per serving
• Go for more neutral teas like Green Tea or Herbal Tea
• Use jaggery instead of sugar to sweeten your tea
• Avoid lemon in your tea
• Store teas properly in an air-tight glass jar and keep the jar away from light.
• Generally, home-brewed teas are less acidic

As a general rule, brewing tea for a shorter duration, using lower water temperatures, or opting for certain tea varieties can help mitigate acidity.

Most teas also are only mildly acidic.

So, go on and keep drinking your favourite Darjeeling or Assam, Earl Grey or English Breakfast Tea, Matcha or Muscatel… and many more!