Drinking hot tea can help relieve heartburn if you drink the right kind. Caffeine stimulates acid production, which encourages acid reflux that causes heartburn. Drink decaffeinated teas or caffeine-free herbal teas to relieve or prevent symptoms. Some of these teas get rid of heartburn and also promote normal digestion to avoid stomach acid buildup. Herbal teas may even relieve anxiety, which often contributes to heartburn. However, avoid teas with heartburn-inducing flavors or ingredients.
Heartburn Process
Certain foods and beverages relax an esophageal muscle that normally protects you from acid reflux by contracting after substances enter the stomach. When the ring-like muscle relaxes, it does not contract properly and allows stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. This causes acid reflux and the burning heartburn sensation that follows in the upper chest and throat. Triggers that relax the muscle include caffeine, carbonated beverages, alcohol, citrus fruits, chocolate, mint flavorings, fried foods and tomato-based items, such as sauces.
Decaffeinated Tea
Caffeine in tea can increase acid secretion and result in heartburn. Many decaffeinated teas prevent this reaction and can provide you with long-term protection if you prefer a hot drink. Coffee, both caffeinated and decaffeinated, increases acid secretion, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. So decaffeinated tea is a healthier alternative for heartburn sufferers. Acid reflux diets usually allow decaffeinated teas.
Herbal Tea
Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology recommends decaffeinated, non-mint herbal teas as well as non-citrus fruit juice and water for beverages. It suggests you avoid regular and mint tea, coffee, carbonated beverages and alcohol. Peppermint tea has been used as a remedy to aid digestion, but peppermint may relax the esophageal muscle and trigger heartburn in some people. Caffeine-free herbal teas, such as chamomile tea, may help provide relief from heartburn. Proponents say it reduces inflammation in the digestive tract to promote digestion. Sipping herbal teas may relieve anxiety; the comfort of a warm drink may contribute to that benefit.
Finding Triggers
Most herbal teas are free of caffeine, but buy products that indeed do not contain caffeine. Even decaffeinated teas may contain some caffeine, so you may have to test products yourself to find out if they protect you from heartburn. You may have your own specific triggers of heartburn because people respond differently to foods. Sometimes you need to take note of the foods you eat or drink and the symptoms that follow to identify your triggers. For example, some people may not experience heartburn from peppermint tea or other teas with mint flavorings. It depends on each person's reaction. Self-testing may provide you with the only solution.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Heartburn --- Prevention; June 2009
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet
- Penn Medicine: Managing Heartburn with Diet
- Holistic Junction: Looking For a Heartburn Herbal Remedy? Try Herbal Teas!
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