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 Gut

Ms. 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 Safely

Barve 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.

One of the major point of conversations right now is longevity. People are learning day by day about what may affect their biological age and how, why and which way they can lower it. Many studies have pointed out that things like sugar, and some drinks may lower it, however, a new study shows that there may be some unexpected heroes among our daily drink consumption.

A study recently published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed something interesting: drinking about seven to eight cups of tea, coffee, and plain water every day might help you live longer.

Researchers looked at the drinking habits of over 182,000 people and found that hitting this total number of drinks, when balanced well, offered the best protection. It lowered the risk of dying from all kinds of serious problems, including cancer and heart disease. The main finding is that the mix of drinks is key—it's not good to overdo it, as too much might actually be bad for your heart.

How Do Tea, Coffee Or Water Help Your Health?

The research figured out the best possible way to combine these drinks to get the most health benefit:

Optimal Daily Total

The number one rule is to drink a total of seven to eight beverages every day. This total includes your water, coffee, and tea.

Coffee and Tea Ratio

Once you're hitting that daily goal, the best way to mix the coffee and tea is in a 2:3 ratio. This means for every two cups of coffee, you should have three cups of tea. This specific blend was found to be the most powerful for protecting you against dying from heart problems, cancer, and diseases of the lungs and stomach.

Hydration

The experts stress that the most important thing is to just stay hydrated first. Get your total number of drinks up to seven or eight. After you've done that, then you can start swapping some of your water for the healthier mix of coffee and tea.

How Much Tea Or Coffee Should You Drink?

The study also came with important warnings about drinking too much or too little of the mix:

If You Drink Very Little: If you currently have less than four total drinks a day, just adding a cup of coffee or tea won't help much. You need to focus on drinking more water first to reach the main goal of being fully hydrated.

If You Drink Too Much: If you are drinking nine or more cups of fluid a day, replacing water with more tea or coffee could actually raise your risk of dying from heart disease. More is not always better! Finally, the scientists noted two important things:

They can only say there's a link (an observation) between the drinks and living longer; they can't say for sure that the drinks are the direct cause of longer life. The study didn't know how people prepared their drinks—whether they added a lot of sugar or milk, which could affect the health benefits. The main takeaway is to focus on getting your overall daily fluid intake to seven to eight drinks and then use the beneficial mix of coffee and tea wisely.

Pregnancy is a unique and exciting journey, full of changes, decisions, and the constant desire to give your baby the best start in life. Nutrition becomes particularly important during this time, as what a mother eats can impact both her own health and the development of her baby. One ingredient that has been gaining popularity among expectant mothers is chia seeds.

Though tiny, these seeds are packed with nutrients and can be a versatile addition to a pregnancy diet. To understand their benefits, we spoke with Dr. Deepa, Senior Consultant at Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital Kaushambi, who shared how chia seeds can support maternal and fetal health.

Benefits of Chia Seeds for Pregnant Women

Chia seeds are simple to incorporate into daily meals as you can sprinkle them on oatmeal, mix them into yogurt, blend them into smoothies, or even add them to baked goods.

Their mild taste and texture make them easy to enjoy, which is one reason why many pregnant women are turning to these seeds. According to Dr. Deepa, there are several ways chia seeds can help during pregnancy:

Supports Digestion

Constipation and other digestive issues are common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and slower digestion. Chia seeds are high in soluble fibre, which can help regulate bowel movements. When soaked in liquid, they expand into a gel-like texture that aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. This not only helps prevent overeating but also supports healthy weight gain, which is important for both mother and baby.

Helps Maintain Blood Sugar Levels

Fluctuating blood sugar levels can be a concern for expectant mothers, sometimes leading to gestational diabetes. The fibre in chia seeds slows sugar absorption into the bloodstream, helping to maintain stable blood sugar and energy levels. By including chia seeds in meals, pregnant women may reduce the risk of sudden sugar spikes and maintain steadier energy throughout the day.

Aids Hydration

Hydration is essential during pregnancy, and chia seeds can play a supportive role. Dr. Deepa points out that chia seeds are versatile and can be added to a wide variety of dishes, from smoothies and salads to yogurt or baked recipes. When mixed with water or other liquids, they absorb moisture, helping to keep the body hydrated and supporting overall wellness.

Nutritional Power for Mother and Baby

Although small, chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, protein, calcium, and antioxidants. These nutrients support brain development in the fetus, improve digestion, help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and contribute to overall maternal health.

Dr. Deepa recommends consuming chia seeds in moderation. Eating too many may cause digestive discomfort due to their high fibre content. A typical portion is about one to two tablespoons per day. She also emphasizes that pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes, especially if they have pre-existing medical conditions.

Including chia seeds as part of a balanced, varied diet can help pregnant women feel nourished, support digestion and hydration, and provide essential nutrients for their growing baby. With their versatility and health benefits, chia seeds are a convenient and powerful addition to a pregnancy-friendly diet.

Former Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson's six-year-old daughter is undergoing treatment for epilepsy. Gemma revealed that Mia, her daughter's condition was discovered after she began to experience absence seizures and episodes of lost awareness.

Gemma spoke about Mia's health journey on her podcast Just As Well, the Women's Health Podcast. She explained how the diagnosis has shaped her family’s lifestyle and highlighted the critical role diet can play in managing epilepsy.

What Are Absence Seizures?

As per CDC, epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the brain and causes recurrent seizures. These seizures can take many forms, from convulsions to subtle lapses in awareness. In Mia’s case, she suffers from absence seizures. These episodes typically last a few seconds, during which the child appears to be staring blankly or “switching off.” While they may seem mild, repeated episodes can disrupt learning, daily activities, and overall quality of life.

Although epilepsy cannot be cured, treatments ranging from medication to lifestyle interventions can help control seizures. For Mia, medical professionals suggested that diet could play a significant role in supporting brain health.

Can Diet Help Your Brain?

Gemma also shared that the doctors have recommended ketogenic diet or the keto diet for Mia. This means Mia can have food high in fats, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates.

The diet was first introduced in the 1920s, was originally developed as a treatment for epilepsy before the advent of modern medications. Research shows that it can help rewire brain function and reduce seizure activity, particularly in children who do not respond well to standard treatments.

“The doctor told me, ‘If you can get her on a keto diet, it could help with brain function,’” Gemma explained. “The improvement we’ve had has been amazing. For the last six months, she’s had no seizures at all, touch wood.”

Mia now starts her day with an omelet for breakfast and Gemma also adds extra nutrients like collagen to her yogurt. While the diet requires careful planning and strict adherence, it has brought encouraging results, with both the family and Mia’s school reporting a significant reduction in symptoms.

Despite the positive progress, Gemma emphasized that Mia’s condition requires ongoing monitoring. Epilepsy management often involves regular check-ups, symptom tracking, and dietary adjustments. “We’re constantly monitoring her, but the last year has been such a positive turnaround,” she said.

Experts caution that while the keto diet can be beneficial, it must be followed under medical supervision to avoid nutritional imbalances. Gemma’s proactive approach, researching the condition and working closely with healthcare professionals, has given Mia a strong foundation for managing her epilepsy.

Epilepsy Awareness

Gemma is bringing public's attention to epilepsy, a condition that is often misunderstood or overlooked. bsence seizures, in particular, may go unnoticed by parents or teachers, as they can resemble daydreaming. Raising awareness can help families recognize the signs early and seek timely medical advice.

Epilepsy affects millions worldwide, and while it cannot yet be cured, advancements in diet-based therapy, medication, and supportive care continue to improve outcomes.