Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Is Tea First Thing In The Morning Bad For Digestion? What Doctors Say

tea in morning for digestion

Are you one of those people who can’t start their day without a cup of tea? In many Indian households, tea is the first aroma that fills the morning air. But is having tea on an empty stomach really safe? To clear this common doubt, we spoke to Ms. Dnyeshwari Barve from the <span>Nutrition and Dietetics Department</span> at DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune. She explained how <span>morning tea</span> can affect your digestion and what you can do to enjoy it safely.

<h2>Morning Tea on an Empty Stomach: Is It Really Bad for Digestion?</h2>

‘Bed tea’ refers to sipping tea right after waking up, even before breakfast. While it may feel comforting and refreshing, experts warn it can also upset your stomach. After a long overnight gap of 7–8 hours without food, your digestive system is more sensitive. Drinking tea during this time can overstimulate the gut, trigger excessive bowel movements, and lead to hyperacidity.

However, it’s not all bad news. Barve points out that tea does contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, and some varieties like green or black tea may even support immunity when consumed correctly. The problem often lies in preparation, boiling tea with milk and sugar can damage healthy <span>gut bacteria</span>. Choosing lighter versions and pairing them with the right foods can make a big difference.

Ms. Dnyeshwari Barve told us a few ways your morning tea can affect your gut:

<ul><li>Increased Acidity and Irritation: Tea contains caffeine and tannins, which boost stomach acid. On an empty stomach, this can irritate the stomach lining, causing bloating, cramps, and heartburn.</li><li>Inflammation Risk: Regular empty-stomach tea may inflame the stomach lining and contribute to chronic issues like gastritis.</li><li>Dehydration: Tea has a diuretic effect, which means it increases urination. After a night of fasting, this can worsen dehydration and even constipation.</li><li>Gut Bacteria Imbalance: Large amounts of tea, especially with milk, may disrupt the balance of good bacteria in your gut, affecting digestion and metabolism.</li><li>Nutrient Absorption Interference: The tannins in tea can reduce the absorption of minerals like iron from food, especially if consumed frequently on an empty stomach.</li></ul><h2></h2>

Barve doesn’t recommend cutting tea out altogether. Instead, she suggests simple changes:

<ul><li>Have a light snack, like soaked almonds, a banana, or a slice of toast—before your tea to protect the stomach lining.</li><li>Choose herbal teas such as chamomile or ginger, which have natural anti-inflammatory properties and are easier on digestion.</li><li>Limit milk and sugar, which can worsen acidity and harm gut bacteria.</li><li>Stay hydrated with water before reaching for your first cup.</li></ul>

Morning tea isn’t entirely bad, but having it on an empty stomach every day can cause digestive issues in the long run. The key is moderation and mindful pairing with food. If you enjoy your bed tea, make small adjustments so your morning ritual supports your gut health rather than harming it.

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Are you one of those people who can’t start their day without a cup of tea? In many Indian households, tea is the first aroma that fills the morning air. But is having tea on an empty stomach really safe? To clear this common doubt, we spoke to Ms. Dnyeshwari Barve from the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune. She explained how morning tea can affect your digestion and what you can do to enjoy it safely.Morning Tea on an Empty Stomach: Is It Really Bad for Digestion?‘Bed tea’ refers to sipping tea right after waking up, even before breakfast. While it may feel comforting and refreshing, experts warn it can also upset your stomach. After a long overnight gap of 7–8 hours without food, your digestive system is more sensitive. Drinking tea during this time can overstimulate the gut, trigger excessive bowel movements, and lead to hyperacidity.However, it’s not all bad news. Barve points out that tea does contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, and some varieties like green or black tea may even support immunity when consumed correctly. The problem often lies in preparation, boiling tea with milk and sugar can damage healthy gut bacteria. Choosing lighter versions and pairing them with the right foods can make a big difference.How Morning Tea Affects Your GutMs. Dnyeshwari Barve told us a few ways your morning tea can affect your gut:Increased Acidity and Irritation: Tea contains caffeine and tannins, which boost stomach acid. On an empty stomach, this can irritate the stomach lining, causing bloating, cramps, and heartburn.Inflammation Risk: Regular empty-stomach tea may inflame the stomach lining and contribute to chronic issues like gastritis.Dehydration: Tea has a diuretic effect, which means it increases urination. After a night of fasting, this can worsen dehydration and even constipation.Gut Bacteria Imbalance: Large amounts of tea, especially with milk, may disrupt the balance of good bacteria in your gut, affecting digestion and metabolism.Nutrient Absorption Interference: The tannins in tea can reduce the absorption of minerals like iron from food, especially if consumed frequently on an empty stomach.How to Have Morning Tea SafelyBarve doesn’t recommend cutting tea out altogether. Instead, she suggests simple changes:Have a light snack, like soaked almonds, a banana, or a slice of toast—before your tea to protect the stomach lining.Choose herbal teas such as chamomile or ginger, which have natural anti-inflammatory properties and are easier on digestion.Limit milk and sugar, which can worsen acidity and harm gut bacteria.Stay hydrated with water before reaching for your first cup.Morning tea isn’t entirely bad, but having it on an empty stomach every day can cause digestive issues in the long run. The key is moderation and mindful pairing with food. If you enjoy your bed tea, make small adjustments so your morning ritual supports your gut health rather than harming it.