“Nine out of Ten People Have Gastric Issues,” referring to the fact that most people have some degree of gastric problems.

Many believe that tea harms the stomach, and those with poor digestive health should avoid it altogether.

This is actually a significant misconception.

For individuals with normal or slightly weaker digestive functions, all that's needed is to follow proper tea-drinking methods and choose suitable types of tea.

Those with severe gastric conditions or who have been advised by doctors not to drink tea should follow medical advice.

The key to whether tea nurtures or harms the stomach lies in how one drinks it.

I. What “Stimulation” Does Tea Have on the Stomach?

Tea can create a certain “stimulation” on the stomach, but this stimulation isn't entirely negative.

On one hand, some active substances in tea bind with stomach proteins, which might cause discomfort for those with gastric issues. However, this discomfort is likely due to the timing, concentration, and amount of tea consumed.

On the other hand, the alkaloids in tea can stimulate gastric juice secretion, promoting digestion and increasing appetite. For example, after consuming greasy foods, one often experiences bloating and nausea. Drinking a Cup of tea half an hour after a meal can alleviate these symptoms because the components in the tea help with digestion and ease gastric discomfort.

II. How Can Those with Poor Digestive Health Drink Tea to Nurture Their Stomach?

For those with generally healthy digestive systems, it's important to find a suitable drinking frequency and volume that aligns with their condition, without needing to avoid any specific type of tea.

Those with weaker digestive functions should be more selective about the types of tea they consume.

Avoid or limit consumption of Green Tea and raw pu'er.

Green tea is unfermented and contains high levels of polyphenols, while raw pu'er uses large-leaf varieties rich in internal substances. Both have a cooler nature, and drinking them can lead to hunger quickly or even “tea drunkenness,” which many people experience.

Choose milder teas like Black Tea, aged pu'er, or older teas.

These teas have higher fermentation levels and a warmer nature, making them easier on the stomach. They are also suitable for the elderly and children.

III. Don't Make These Tea-Drinking Mistakes That Harm Your Stomach.

Many gastric issues often stem from what we ingest. Even the best tea can harm the stomach if consumed improperly. Before blaming the tea, check if you're making any of these mistakes.

Drinking Tea on an empty stomach

Some people have the habit of drinking tea first thing in the morning when their stomach is empty, which can easily irritate the digestive system. In Guangdong, where morning tea is consumed, it's accompanied by various dim sum. When drinking tea, prepare some light snacks such as biscuits or candied fruits to avoid “tea drunkenness” and mitigate the impact on your stomach.

Consuming strong tea

Those accustomed to strong tea may find lighter versions unsatisfying. Strong tea has higher concentrations of extracted compounds, which can be detrimental to the stomach and may even accelerate heart rate. A tea-to-water ratio of around 1:50, steeped for less than three minutes, ensures the tea is not too strong.

Drinking a variety of teas

Drinking a wide variety of teas is just as detrimental to the stomach as eating a diverse range of foods. Continuously switching between different types of tea can be challenging for the stomach. It's recommended to take a break before switching to another type, and not to exceed three types in a single session.

Drinking cold tea

It's best to drink tea at a moderate temperature, similar to drinking warm water, which is most comfortable for the stomach. Drinking cold tea can exacerbate the cooling properties of teas with a cooler nature. Meanwhile, excessively hot tea can also be harmful to the esophagus and stomach, so it's best to drink it when it's comfortably warm.

The wisdom of drinking tea is much like eating – food has varying temperatures, and so do teas; one shouldn't overeat, nor should one overconsume tea.

In terms of healthy tea consumption, there are two key words: “suitable” and “moderate.”