Tea on an Empty Stomach Might Be A Bad Idea
Image Credit: Unsplash

We've all heard that drinking warm beverages first thing in the morning is good for our metabolism and digestive system. But does this apply to all beverages? Probably not. It may be fine to start your day with tea, but it's not a good idea to drink hot tea on an empty stomach. If you love your morning cup of tea, you may want to rethink drinking it when you wake up. It's not recommended to consume hot tea before eating. Though many tea lovers have it first thing in the morning, it's better to have a small meal or some nuts before your tea.

Here is the reason, in case you were wondering. According to studies, drinking warm water in the morning differs from drinking warm tea first thing in the morning. Any caffeinated beverage, including coffee and green, milk, oolong, and black teas, among others, can cause an allergic reaction when consumed on an empty stomach, and drinking them hot increases the risk.

Here's why you should never drink tea on an empty stomach:

Causes Constipation

Theophylline, a chemical found in tea, can dehydrate faeces and cause constipation. A healthy, high-fibre diet and exercise may not be as effective at preventing constipation if you drink tea first thing in the morning.

Leads To Dehydration

The body will become dehydrated from a lack of fluids, which is another impact due to the diuretic properties of tea, which can help eliminate excess water from the body. Although you may have gone up to 8 hours without drinking, your body is actually already dehydrated when you wake up. Now, if you also consume diuretic tea, it is not improbable that your body may get severely dehydrated.

Bloating

Drinking milk-infused tea on an empty stomach can lead to bloating due to the lactose content. The empty intestine is more susceptible to this condition. Constipation, gas, and flatulence are the effects of this.

Resists The Absorption Of Nutrients

By drinking a lot of tea on an empty stomach, the presence of polyphenols like tannin and caffeine can reduce the body's capacity to absorb minerals like iron from food.

What's The Best Time To Drink Tea In The Morning?


One to two hours after finishing your breakfast is when you can have your morning tea. Make sure you don't eat on an empty stomach; you can also have tea with some nibbles in the evening. After waking up, one can start with plain water and fruit before having tea.