What are the green tea benefits for stomach? 🤔
In this article, we are going to find out! We’ll answer the question is green tea good for the stomach and show you why.
We’ll also see if you can drink green tea on an empty stomach and is green tea good for upset stomach.
Let’s get started! 🍃
An overview on green tea benefits for stomach
There are so many green tea benefits for stomach it is difficult to know where to start! We outlined a few key green tea benefits of green tea for stomach and in the next section we’ll cover is green tea good for your stomach.
By the way, the benefits of tea go way beyond stomach health. If you want to learn about the full list of health benefits, you should read this article here 👉 Is green tea good for you? A Tea Expert Weighs in
Anti-inflammatory Properties:
Is green tea good for your stomach? If you have issues with inflammation it is! Green tea may help reduce inflammation in the stomach lining, potentially alleviating symptoms of gastritis or other inflammatory conditions.
Antioxidant Effects
The high concentration of antioxidants in green tea, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), helps neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Antioxidants may protect the stomach from oxidative stress, which can contribute to the development of various gastrointestinal issues.
Improved Digestive Function:
The green tea benefits for stomach go beyond just inflammation. Green tea has also been linked to improved digestion by promoting the activity of digestive enzymes.
The enhanced enzymatic activity may aid in the breakdown of food, making it easier for the stomach to process nutrients and reducing the likelihood of indigestion.
Reduced Risk of Helicobacter pylori Infection:
Is green tea good for stomach issues like Helicobacter pylori? The research looks promising! Green tea has been studied for its potential to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium associated with peptic ulcers and gastritis.
By reducing the risk of H. pylori infection, green tea may contribute to maintaining a healthier stomach environment.
Protective Effect Against Gastric Cancer:
Finally, on a more serious note is green tea good for stomach cancer prevention? Some studies suggest that the antioxidants in green tea may have a protective effect against the development of gastric cancer.
Regular consumption of green tea has been associated with a lower risk of stomach cancer, possibly due to its anti-cancer properties and ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. It is important to mention that this is in no way a treatment, but with very limited side effects it is worth trying.
Minerals
Some teas can also be higher in minerals, which can soothe the stomach. If you are having problems with digestion or bloating, it is actually not a bad idea to drink one of these mineral rich teas after a meal.
The Best Green Tea for Upset Stomach
If you want to really take advantage of the green tea benefits for stomach, you will want to get some Bancha.
This tea is the best for the stomach. It is made from the older leaves of the tea plant, which means it has less caffeine and more minerals. In Japan, people often drink this tea after a meal to help with digestion.
Why is green tea good for the stomach?
So we’ve talked about the green tea benefits for stomach, but we haven’t talked about why is green tea good for your stomach. Let’s cover 3 mechanisms in green tea that can lead to the green tea benefits for stomach.
Polyphenols
Some of the green tea benefits for stomach come from the fact that it is rich in polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant. The most notable polyphenols in green tea are catechins, with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) being the most studied.
These polyphenols have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to protect the stomach lining from damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation.
Catechins
Catechins are a subgroup of polyphenols found in green tea, and they are known for their various health benefits. Catechins, particularly EGCG, have been associated with anti-cancer properties and the inhibition of Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium linked to stomach ulcers and gastritis.
By reducing the growth of H. pylori, green tea may contribute to a healthier stomach environment.
L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid present in green tea that has calming and relaxing effects. It may help in reducing stress and anxiety, which can be beneficial for individuals with stress-related digestive issues.
Stress is known to impact the digestive system negatively, and the calming effects of L-theanine may indirectly support stomach health. One of the reasons why is green tea good for upset stomach, is because it can help reduce stress which can cause an upset stomach.
Can you drink green tea empty stomach
This is a question we get asked all the time, can you drink green tea on an empty stomach.
The answer for most people is yes. But there is a difference between can you drink green tea empty stomach and should you be drinking green tea on empty stomach.
Some people can get a stomach ache from green tea if they have been drinking green tea in empty stomach, and in the next section, we are going to explore why!
By the way, if the reason you have an empty stomach is because you are fasting, you'll definitely want to read this article 👉 Can you drink tea while fasting?
Why you should avoid drinking green tea on empty stomach
Now that we’ve talked about the can you drink green tea empty stomach problem, let’s discuss why you should avoid green tea on an empty stomach. Later we will talk about is green tea good for stomach ache, but it is important to show you why you will want to avoid drinking it on an upset stomach.
By the way, if you are getting nauseous from green tea, you may want to read this article 👉 Tea Troubles: Why Does Tea Make Me Nauseous?
The Caffeine Question
Green tea contains caffeine, although in lower amounts compared to coffee. For individuals sensitive to caffeine, drinking green tea on an empty stomach may lead to increased acidity and stomach discomfort. Caffeine can stimulate the production of stomach acid, potentially causing irritation in the absence of food.
If you want to be extra careful and find a list of the teas that are lowest in caffeine, we made a complete guide for you 👉 8 Lowest Caffeine Tea: from Lowest to Highest
Polyphenols - the risk of green tea on empty stomach
Green tea contains tannins and polyphenols, which can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients, such as iron. Drinking green tea on an empty stomach may exacerbate this effect, potentially affecting iron absorption. This is of particular concern for individuals with iron deficiency anemia.
So if you are on an empty stomach and you drink green tea upset stomach issues may occur down the road.
Is green tea good for upset stomach
So is green tea good for stomach upset? There are a few reasons why drinking green tea for stomach upset may be a good idea. Let’s cover two of them here.
Inflammation Reduction
So is green tea good for upset stomach? If the upset stomach is caused by inflammation it can be!
Green tea contains polyphenols, particularly catechins, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds may help reduce inflammation in the stomach lining and alleviate discomfort associated with an upset stomach.
Gentler on the Stomach
Green tea is often considered a gentler option compared to some other caffeinated beverages, like coffee. It's less likely to cause stomach irritation for many individuals. It may be better to drink water if you are having bad stomach issues, but green tea for upset stomach is not the worst thing you can have!
Can you get a stomach ache from green tea
So you think you have a stomach ache from green tea? As we mentioned before, the two things that may cause a green tea stomach ache are the caffeine and the polyphenols. There are some tricks you can use to avoid the green tea stomach ache.
How to avoid a green tea stomach ache
So if you find that you are getting a stomach ache from green tea, there are some great teas you can try to avoid this like Bancha (as we mentioned before) genmaicha and kukicha. These are lower in caffeine and higher in minerals, so you can take advantage of the green tea benefits for stomach.
If you want to try some genmaicha, a tea made with toasted rice, you can browse our selection here 👉 Shop Our Genmaicha
