Acidic food is trouble for the tummy and can cause your stomach to be upset for many days. If you are one of those people who have acid reflux or gastritis issues then read carefully, we will unveil all the truth about whether green tea is the ultimate magic potion or simple acidic concoction.
Green tea came from Asia and gone are the days when it took time and effort to get and brew green tea. It is now easily available and even a part of every kitchen pantry. Green tea manufacturers have gained a lot of profit as people run behind the trend of switching to green tea with coffee.
Although we don’t deny the benefits that this beverage provides for the body but learning about the pH level and how can it become acidic and react in the digestive system is necessary for consuming it safely.
Is Green Tea Acidic to the Stomach?
Some people are more acidic than others. Human bodies differ from each other like tea’s differ from each other. Few individuals have the condition called acidosis. In this, you suffer because your body contains too much acid. The lungs and kidneys are not able to maintain pH balance in the body.
Green tea does not cause acidity to the stomach of a healthy individual. But if you are facing issues then get through the pH acidity level test. It can easily tell you the state of your fluids, either acid or alkaline. Urine pH level test kits are also available over the counter.
This way you can avoid food that aggravates these issues.
Is Green Tea Acidic or Alkaline?
To analyze this, we need to know the pH level of green tea first. Most foods that have a pH level of 7.2 or below are acidic. On the other hand, foods that have greater pH are considered alkaline reactions.
There’s good news! The pH level of green tea is above 7.2. which means that green tea is not acidic but an alkaline beverage.
It even neutralizes the acid levels in the body when taken at the right time and amount. Therefore, this tea surely is the healthiest beverage that aids digestion and deserves all the acknowledgment.
Continue reading to learn the most common types of tea that are most acidic.
Average Ph Level in Different Types of Teas
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According to the above stats, we can safely say that green tea is more alkaline than acidic. It even helps in digestion when taken after meals.
Other types of teas that are consumed mostly fall in the acidic category. These include black tea, lemon tea, herbal tea, and blackberry tea which is the most acidic level of 2.
Acidic teas should be taken with care. Never take with medicine and meals to avoid any issues related to digestion.
Can You Make a Tea Less Acidic?
You can’t change the natural pH level of any tea but by doing the following you can make your teas less acidic:
- By adding some water teas become less acidic as water is neutral.
- If you add milk to the tea, it also minimizes the effect.
- Reducing the steeping time of tea reduces acidity. While tea is brewing after 5 minutes it starts to release more acid and after 15 minutes the effect multiplies. Therefore, steeping for just 2-5 minutes is perfect.
- Use loose-leaf teas, as they don’t require long steep and are brewed easily within minutes. Thus, not giving chance for the acid to release.
Is Green Tea Good For Acid Reflux?
Research shows that drinking green tea helped people with conditions like acid reflux.
The person having acid reflux has a burning sensation in the esophagus and has heartburn. This condition is also called Gastroesophageal reflux or GERD.
Pro Tip: Put some milk in your cup of tea while drinking, it makes the stomach produce less acid and also neutralizes the tea.
You need to check your symptoms to know whether green tea suits you during this condition or not. Sometimes it may ease some symptoms of acid reflux.
Evidence also shows that some people do show signs of discomfort and irritation of the stomach from green tea.
Why Is Green Tea Not Acidic?
Green tea and black tea comes from the same plant. Still, both have different pH levels. Why?
The difference between both is the methods used to harvest and process. It is made of fresh and young leaves and not oxidized therefore, the latter is more acidic.
Green tea is grown in non-acidic soil where fresh leaves are dried and processed within a certain period. Therefore, its brew has a suitable pH level.
Popular Acidic Teas
Here are the most common types that are acidic.
- Black Tea
- Darjeeling
- Breakfast Tea
- Lemon Tea
- Blackberry Tea
- Rosehip Tea
- Earl Gray
- Ceylon Tea
Does Green Tea Stain Teeth?
Green tea is not acidic but it has the potential of staining your teeth. How so? Because of the compounds called tannins in green tea. Tannins along with the little acidic nature contribute towards the staining of teeth.
Although other teas and coffee make your teeth yellow but green tea does not do that instead when taken in excessive amounts it can make your teeth grayish in the long run. This gray damage may be permanent and irreversible.
However, this is for the people who drink a lot of this beverage daily and do not follow proper dental care. Then after a few years, your teeth’ enamel might start to change due to heavy intake.
Is Green Tea Better Than Drinking Black Tea?
Both types are famous especially in the Asian part of the world. Black tea is the most consumed drink in countries like Bangladesh, India & Pakistan. On the other side, Chinese and Japanese people can live without brewing green tea in their homes daily.
It comes to a personal decision as both have incredible benefits. but to analyze green tea less acidic and contains a lot more antioxidants. Other reasons can be:
- It refreshes your mind and provides long-time alertness and physical activity.
- Black tea has more caffeine when brewed. So the people who are trying to cut off caffeine can opt for green tea instead.
- It has more researched benefits and provides more nutrients and antioxidants.
- It calms you and also has weight-reducing properties.
What Downsides of Green Tea Did We Figure Out?
According to studies, green tea is a healthy beverage to drink daily. When taken in moderation it is usually safe. But for a few individuals, it may pose some health effects which can be:
- Stomach pain and acidity
- Liver disorders
- Interference with medications
People who are sensitive to caffeine might have symptoms like:
- Anxiety
- Heart palpitations and trouble sleeping
- Headaches
Conclusion:
Green tea has a pH level on the border, but it is likely towards the alkaline side. It does not cause hyperacidity in healthy individuals but it’s important to know whether it is becoming the cause of irritation of your stomach.
Green tea’s properties don’t cause hyperacidity but it is important to assess whether the drink can irritate your stomach.
If you are a person who is prone to acidity, it’s time to leave or limit green tea and observe if something else is making your body face this condition.
In short, even the most acidic teas are consumed around the world and they don’t cause any issues as long they are taken in moderation
Coffee and carbonated drinks have a lot of acidic levels and people consume them every day. However, if you just switched to green tea it’s best to take not more than 2 cups a day and let your body get used to it first. Also, make sure you are not drinking it on an empty stomach.
