You’ve probably already tried various remedies if you suffer from digestive issues like indigestion, constipation, or stomachaches. During your search for a cure for your digestive problem, you may have come across claims that drinking tea can help. Is tea really good for digestion, or is it just a marketing myth?
LiveScience reviewed the research and spoke to experts about digestive health. You can also learn how tea can help with digestive health and how to incorporate it safely into your daily routine in LiveScience.
How do you define good digestion?
All parts of the body involved in eating and digesting food make up the digestive system. This system converts some of the food you eat into energy and some of it into waste products that are eliminated from the body. In the case of a malfunctioning part of this system, such as the stomach or intestines, you may feel uncomfortable or bloated. Several factors can contribute to digestive problems, including:
Food intolerance
Stress
sleep problems
allergy
alcohol
Diet related problems
Change in routine
lack of exercise
Chronic Diseases
You should take your digestive health seriously because it may even lead to arthritis or diabetes in the long run.
It is always best to consult your doctor if you are experiencing digestive problems. You can try some things on your own if you want to solve the problem on your own. Adelia Renee Gutierrez, nutritionist at Yhorlife, says some people are prone to digestive issues. Start by taking a probiotic that prevents the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut. Reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates and alcohol, as well as your stress levels, by eating fiber-rich foods.”
Is tea helpful for digestion?
According to a review published in the journal Nutrients in 2019, drinking black tea and oolong tea can positively regulate the gut microbiome and help reverse bacterial imbalances caused by obesity and a high-fat diet. Black tea and oolong tea are two popular teas that have these benefits.
Some teas can help soothe and stabilize the digestive system, but others are less effective. “Drinking tea, depending on the type, can help with digestion,”
How does tea affect digestion according to science?
The effects of drinking tea on digestion have been studied in several studies.
A study published in Scientific Reports in 2015 found that green tea consumption can improve digestion and absorption of starch.
According to a study published in 2015 in Drug Metabolism Reviews, flavonoids, which are found in high amounts in many teas, can help calm the digestive system.
Studies published in European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Hytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology indicate that ginger, mint, and fennel teas have properties that promote digestive health; however, few studies have specifically explored their benefits.
In the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a study found that people who drank moderate amounts of tea (about three times a week for more than six months) were less likely to develop stomach cancer than those who did not drink tea.
Which teas are best for digestive health?
In terms of practical advice, Gutierrez recommends drinking the following teas for digestion:
black tea
Green tea
Fennel tea
Ginger tea
Kombucha tea
In particular, green tea and black tea contain large amounts of flavonoids that can help the digestive system function optimally, whereas herbal teas often contain elements that can contribute to long-term and overall digestive health.
