If you have acid reflux you might be wondering if green tea is a good choice, particularly decaffeinated green tea.
Decaffeinated (decaf) green tea is considered good for acid reflux usually. Though there are some cases where decaf green tea might be problematic for certain people.
Below we will break this all down in more detail.
Is Decaf Green Tea Good for Acid Reflux?
Green tea is known for having a lot of potential health benefits. That’s part because it’s high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect the body from free radicals which in turn reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Keep in mind that regular green tea contains caffeine but for certain people caffeine can be a trigger to their acid reflux symptoms. This is where decaf green tea comes in.
Decaf green tea is made just like regular green tea though most of the caffeine has been removed. This makes this tea a much better choice if you have acid reflux because there is no caffeine to trigger symptoms.
Knowing this means decaf green tea makes for a better option if you have acid reflux. This is particularly true if you have more severe acid reflux like GERD or LPR.
Green tea has been shown to help reduce inflammation. Something in green tea called polyphenols can help reduce the inflammation that happens in the esophagus and digestive tract when you drink green tea. There was in fact one study, where people drank green tea for six months. The people who drank the green tea noticed a reduction in acid reflux symptoms. Therefore, showing green tea is a good choice if you have acid reflux.
There is also something in green tea called L-theanine. This has shown to having a calming effect on the body. The reason this can be helpful for acid reflux is because often acid reflux is worsened by things like stress and anxiety. When you feel more calm thanks to drinking this, it could in turn help alleviate acid reflux problems too.
Another important thing worth mentioning is the effect green tea can have on the gut microbiome which was confirmed by this study. What this means is basically green tea can help improve the good bacteria in your gut. This often makes for an improvement in digestion and reduction in inflammation both of which help acid reflux symptoms.
In terms of acidity green tea is usually a good choice. You can expect green tea to be around a 6-9 pH often depending on the water that is used to make the tea. What this means is that the tea itself can be acidic or alkaline depending on the pH of the water used. Though even when it is acidic it’s only mildly acidic and it should not be of any concern.
Keep in mind that while green tea offers a host of benefits it still may be a trigger for certain people with acid reflux. Therefore, if you have acid reflux, when having decaf green tea for the first time it’s a good idea to have it in moderation before drinking more of it, more often.
For more information and diet advice for acid reflux check our Wipeout Diet Plan. Also, for tailored advice and guidance you can book a Private Acid Reflux Consultation Here.
Important Related Questions
Which Green Tea is Good for Acid Reflux?
The best green tea for acid reflux is decaffeinated green tea that has been as minimally processed as possible. We recommend Stash Decaf Green Tea.
Does Green Tea Affect Acid Reflux?
Green tea can often affect acid reflux. Sometimes in a positive way and for others it might worsen symptoms. Though keep in mind it’s usually a relatively safe choice if you have acid reflux.
Can Decaf Green Tea Affect Your Stomach?
Yes sometimes even decaf green tea can be a trigger for stomach issues. Though this is not often too common.
Can I Drink Decaf Tea for Acid Reflux?
Regular black tea is much more likely to trigger acid reflux then green tea. Even if it is decaffeinated. Therefore, it’s best to first try it in moderation before drinking more of it.
What Tea is Good for Gastric Reflux?
Some of the best tea choices if you have acid reflux include chamomile tea, marshmallow root tea and fennel tea.