Green Tea Acidic? Is Tea Bad for Acid Reflux?

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical concerns.

There are many other people who are wondering the same thing as you. Is the drink acid, or will my favorite cup of tea aggravate my stomach?

Tea is one of the most consumed drinks in the world. However, there are always questions about its acidity, effect on digestion and even benefits to health.

In this guide, I will take you through everything from the pH of tea. Then, whether green tea is really acidic or alkaline, and how that affects your stomach.

By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect from your cup of green tea, and whether you should keep it on your daily menu.

What Makes Tea Acidic in the First Place?

As tea is made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, it contains such naturally occurring compounds like caffeine, polyphenols, and tannin.

These compounds also help to define what taste any particular type of tea will have as well as influencing how acidic or alkaline it can be.

When tea leaves are brewed, the compounds mix with water to create different levels of acidity depending on what kind of tea you’re drinking, how it’s been made, and maybe even how much tea you happen to be drinking.

On the pH scale, which, when going from 0 to 14, gives a measure of acidity to alkalinity, tea is typically slightly acidic, most teas will fall between 5 and 6.

This means that tea is both acidic and less acidic than some other beverages, such as coffee, which can reach a pH value of 4, or soda with a rating of 3.

Nevertheless, anyone with acid reflux symptoms knows that even slightly acidic tea may, at times, cause discomfort.

It is also worth noting that the sour taste of tea changes with the length of steeping. A quick brew may yield less sour tea, but a longer brew time will increase bitterness and sourness, both in sensation and in taste.

Is Green Tea Acidic Compared to Other Teas?

Green tea is typically considered milder in taste than black tea’s characteristic bitterness, but is green tea acidic?

The answer is: yes, just a bit. Generally speaking, green tea will taste a little more sour than black tea. (If you ask people who drink it, most will say that they find it milder in its aftertaste than black teas.) That makes it easier on many people’s stomachs.

Green tea also has caffeine content, although less than that found in black tea and coffee. The tannins and caffeine content mean that green tea is somewhat acid-producing at base within nature, although not too bitter or acidic in flavour.

In fact, green tea prepared will usually fall within a pH range of 7-10 and thus be slightly alkaline, close to the same as water from your sink!

For this reason, since green tea itself is not uniform, bottled green teas are usually more acidic than loose-leaf ones. Bottled versions usually contain preservatives, such as ascorbic acid or sugar, which increase the final product’s acidity.

Unless you are particularly sensitive to this, it would probably be wise not to develop an intolerance for it on the one hand, because bottle green can cause illnesses to come out of nowhere these days. Then, by all means, purchase a high-quality loose-leaf green tea.

If you prefer a trusted specialty brand, I recommend Art of Tea. They offer high-quality loose-leaf green teas (including gentle Japanese senchas and mild bancha) with clear sourcing information.

Choosing a simple, lightly steamed green from Art of Tea and brewing it lightly can give you the flavor and antioxidants of green tea without the extra acidity found in many bottled products.

Is Tea Acidic or Alkaline on the pH Scale?

But now things get interesting: while ordinary tea is a bit acid, depending on how it is brewed and additives used some teas like green tea end up more neutral or even slightly alkaline.

On the pH scale, fruits and oils are acids with a pH of less than 7 while alkalis push it above seven. So green tea may be near neutral; thus it’s less likely to inflame conditions such as acid reflux.

Nevertheless, there is a brewing process involved in the PH change of green tea. Adding milk and sugar does n’t alter the PH greatly, while lemon juice ( adding something acidic ) braces it.

So is tea acid or alkali? The fact is both! Different types of tea, processing methods, and whether it is green tea without anything added in determine.

Can Green Tea Trigger Acid Reflux Symptoms?

Green tea, less acidic than black tea, might still cause some people at least a little bit of discomfort. The caffeine in green tea helps relax your lower esophageal sphincter. This is the valve in your esophagus that keeps stomach acid where it belongs.

When it stops working, stomach acid can rise into your esophagus and cause heartburn or reflux. Caffeine and tannins increase production of stomach acid.

Hence, drinking green tea can produce irritation on an empty stomach. However, many people report that green tea helps digestion.

It tends to be lighter and also less acidic than coffee. As for the effects of green tea, surely all of these variations in experience depend on this.

So if you find reflux following consumption, it could be just how much you drank, the strength of the brew, or if the tea was eaten together with other food.

How Acidic Is Green Tea Compared to Black Tea?

When you compare black tea to green tea, the latter is generally more acidic.

The full oxidation of black tea gives you a stronger flavor, higher caffeine, and more acid than any other type, whereas green teas like this can be traced back to camellia sinensis leaves that are minimally processed, with a pH reading in between mildly acidic or even slightly alkaline.

Thus, while tea is generally acidic, green tea is less acidic than traditional Chinese varieties. White tea, another type of tea, is generally the least acidic, and so it is often recommended for people who suffer from stomach ailments.

If you suffer from stomach trouble, say, reflux or a stomachache, and can not bear more sour things on top of that, then some green tea may be easier on your digestion than black tea, especially white tea.

How Does Caffeine in Green Tea Affect Acidity?

Green tea is usually more acidic than black tea. When black tea is fully oxidized, you get a deep, rich flavor with higher caffeine and more acid content.

Whereas green teas like this come from leaves that are only slightly oxidized. The pH reading ranges from mildly acidic to even slightly alkaline.

This is why, while regular types of tea are usually acidic, green tea is actually not as acidic. White tea, another type, again in honor of her majesty (the Emperor who made it his favorite brew), is generally the least acidic of all teas and so recommended for people with stomach upset.

Should you have stomach trouble, for instance, a stomachache or reflux, if you cannot bear more sour things on top of that and cannot take much food into your stomach at all, leave the tea aside.

Some green tea might be listed as less hard for digestion than black tea is, especially white tea.

Are Bottled Green Teas More Acidic?

Yes, bottled green teas are often more acidic than brewed green tea. Many bottled green teas contain ascorbic acid, which lowers the pH and makes them even more acidic.

Bottled iterations can taste light and refreshing, but the addition of ingredients like acid can erode the lining of your esophagus (or food tube).

Brewed green tea is much less acidic than bottled tea. You can manage the acidity level yourself with loose-leaf green teas in particular.

If you want to drink green tea without all the extra acid, simply don’t use bottled versions and make your own at home.

A fresh, hot cup of green tea is actually much kinder on your stomach lining than any old acidic variety from a bottle.

Does Green Tea Hurt Your Teeth or Stomach?

Most people won’t experience strong reactions to their teeth or stomach from green tea. That is, unless you have it at the wrong time, make it too strong, or drink too much.

Green tea is like olive oil. It is healthy and beneficial, but the body responds differently according to context.

Conversely, if you like green tea and it really feels good in your body, then go ahead and drink it. You may just have to fine-tune your appreciation of your own body’s needs a bit! Green tea is enjoyable, not harsh.

Do remember to follow this:

• Green tea stains teeth only lightly, without damaging the enamel
• Rinse your mouth with water to alleviate most stains
• Drinking green tea on an empty stomach can cause distress for the stomach
• A more mellow method of brewing makes a significant difference
• The solution is to drink it just between meals

Green tea is supposed to be relaxing, not harsh. This is usually the way things turn out if you drink it in a relaxed mood.

Herbal Teas: A Less Acidic Alternative

When your acid reflux is acting up, and you think tea may be the trigger that “breaks the back”, it might be time to make yet another switch: from unhealthy black teas over to healthier, more gentle herbal varieties.

Herbal tea does not come from the plant camellia sinensis; rather, ingredients are herbs, flowers and fruit for it.

Therefore, herbal teas are generally less acidic than regular teas and are caffeine-free, making them more restful on the stomach.

When it comes to Herbal teas such as chamomile, rooibos or ginger tea, they tend to be a bit alkaline or neutral. Therefore, they are less likely than green tea to trigger your reflux.

For someone who has had acid reflux from green tea, herbal teas are a calming alternative that helps keep the stomach quiet.

For lots of hot herbal teas made from fruits, this may still not be enough to make them non-acidic.

Tips On Drinking Green Tea If You Have Acid Reflux

If you suffer from acid reflux but love to drink green tea, then give this a try:

• Don’t steep your green tea for too long, like in 3-4 minutes, the acidity levels are lower.
• The bottle often has added ascorbic acid if it is bottled green tea. Choose loose-leaf tea instead.
• It might be wise to eat something before steeped tea can irritate the stomach.
• Tea alone isn’t so good for the stomach; drink it with a meal.
• If caffeine is a cause of reflux, opt for herbal tea or decaf green tea instead.

Green tea gives you tons of health benefits and is packed with antioxidants. There’s no need to give it up completely, but take your time and prepare to make it clear how much you enjoy that cup of green tea.

Final Thoughts: Is Green Tea Bad for Acid Reflux?

So is green tea bad for acid reflux? It depends.

Although green tea contains caffeine, which can trigger reflux in some people, its overall damage is relatively minor compared to white wines or black teas.

The overall acid level of green tea is low, and whether green tea actually causes your stomach any trouble boils down to how you prepare it, your portion size, and whether you’re a sensitive type.

Herbal teas, if well tolerated by you, are a calming substitute when tea only worsens your reflux. Many people find that green tea helps settle the stomach, is a good digestive aid, and is health-promoting.