Black Tea & Digestion

Black tea is a popular caffeinated beverage brewed from the camellia sinensis tea plant. Similar to green and white teas, black tea offers a digestive aid that may help ease constipation and other unpleasant digestive symptoms. For best results, keep your black tea consumption below four or five cups a day to keep your caffeine intake below the recommended daily amount of 300 mg for healthy individuals.

Definition

Black tea is created by fermenting the leaves and stems of the camellia sinensis plant, resulting in a tea that takes on a dark reddish-brown color. Caffeine and L-theanine, two of black tea’s components, provide a unique mental sensation that combines the energetic alertness of a caffeine buzz with the calming neurological effect of the L-theanine chemical. Although few studies have linked the consumption of black tea to specific digestive benefits, the tea has been traditionally used to treat a variety of conditions, including
type 2 diabetes, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach disorders, tooth decay and kidney stones.

Black Tea and the Digestive System

The essential oils and polyphenols contained in black tea create a stimulating effect on gastric juices, improving the stomach’s ability to break down certain foods. According to studies cited by the University of Maryland Medical Center, black tea may also play a beneficial role in reducing the negative impact of high-fat meals on blood vessel constriction, limiting your risk of high blood pressure. Due to its acidity quality, black tea may cause pain in individuals who have stomach ulcers.

Caffeine and Digestion

Black tea contains a larger quantity of caffeine than most other teas, and may cause unpleasant symptoms if taken in excess. According to the Gaia Naturopathic Clinic website, caffeine elevates the levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol in the body. As a result, blood may be removed from the digestive system for use in other organs, causing indigestion. Excess caffeine intake may also lead to deficient magnesium, a crucial electrolyte for bowel regularity.

Safety Concern

Consuming caffeine in excess of 500 mg can lead to a variety of unpleasant effects, according to MayoClinic.com. In addition to causing an upset stomach, excess caffeine intake can cause symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, muscle tremors and increased heart rate. Talk to your doctor if you routinely experience unpleasant digestion symptoms after drinking black tea, and always keep your intake to four cups or less a day.