Why Does Tea Give Me Heartburn But Not Coffee?
Tea is one of the world’s most consumed beverages, second only to water. While it does have some positive health benefits, it can also cause problems for some people, including heartburn. But why does tea give you heartburn while coffee may not?
Acidity
The biggest differerence between tea and coffee is the acidity. Tea, especially black tea, is known to be naturally acidic while most coffees are low in acidity. This higher acidity means that tea can cause problems in people with sensitive stomachs, leading to heartburn.
Caffeine Content
Caffeine also plays a role in tea’s potential to cause heartburn. Although coffee has more caffeine than tea, the combination of its high acidity and caffeine content makes it more likely to cause heartburn. By contrast, most coffees have lower levels of caffeine, which can help prevent the acid from aggravating your stomach lining.
Other Contributing Factors
There are other factors which can also contribute to tea’s relativation likelihood of causing heartburn.
- Herbal teas – Some herbal teas are naturally acidic, which can increase the risk of heartburn.
- Brewing time – Tea can be brewed for varying lengths of time, with longer brew times resulting in higher acidity.
- Sweeteners – Adding sweeteners to tea can also increase the acidity and make it more likely to cause heartburn.
Overall, it’s clear that tea has a higher acidity than coffee, which makes it more likely to cause heartburn. However, there are still many factors which can influence the likelihood of tea causing heartburn, so be sure to experiment with different teas and brewing times to find out what works best for you.
