Bloated After Drinking Tea? Don’t Blame the Tea

Steeped tea, hot or cold, is more likely to be linked with health benefits than with gastrointestinal discomfort. So, if you have bloating after drinking tea, it's unlikely that the tea itself is the culprit. Think, instead, about what you've added to it.

"Tea and bloating are a random correlation; I never would put the two together," says Ashli Greenwald, RD, a registered dietitian at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore.

However, the addition of milk to tea could be problematic for people who have a lactose intolerance, which is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase. Lactose intolerance can cause symptoms of gas, bloating, and diarrhea. While these symptoms may be uncomfortable, they're generally considered harmless.

Sweeteners are also a possible culprit, though probably not that likely, Greenwald says. "The artificial sweeteners most commonly associated with cramping, bloating and diarrhea — sorbitol and mannitol — are generally used in sugar-free candies and other products," she says. "But the artificial sweeteners people add to beverages, like aspartame or sucralose, really don't cause bloating."

Traditional tea is a preparation of hot water poured over the cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The flavoring of tea — black, oolong, green, or white — depends on where it is grown and how it is processed.

Herbal teas are not true teas, but are made with herbs, fruits, spices, roots, and leaves other than Camellia sinensis leaves.

But studies on humans and tea are sparse, so more data is needed on these and other possible cancer-fighting benefits.

Free radicals are molecules that latch onto DNA electrons, altering the DNA and negatively impacting cell health. Though green tea is reputed to be higher in antioxidants than black and oolong teas, all traditional teas contain about the same level; it's their proportions that differ by color, with green teas being higher in catechins and black tea boasting the highest proportion of theaflavins.

Some herbal teas contain beneficial polyphenols as well, though the types of polyphenols will vary according to what the herbal tea is made from. Of note, the addition of dairy (milk or cream) to any tea may diminish the antioxidant effect of that tea.

Contrary to causing bloating, some herbal teas are linked with a calming effect on the stomach, Greenwald says.

"There has been a lot of research on peppermint tea showing that it can soothe an upset stomach," she says. (One caveat: Peppermint can trigger heartburn if you have acid reflux.)

"Ginger, too, has been shown to help with nausea, cramping, gas, and indigestion," Greenwald adds. "Chamomile tea, often thought of as a before-bed beverage, may also settle your stomach and can help with sleep."

For people who struggle with constipation, Greenwald will recommend a senna-based tea, like Smooth Move. "Senna is a natural laxative," she says. "It can cause some cramping and gas as it stimulates the GI tract, but those symptoms will resolve along with the constipation."

A couple of things to keep in mind: Traditional teas contain caffeine, which can hinder sleep and cause jitteriness. They also contain tannins, which may affect iron absorption. "I counsel patients with anemia to be mindful about consuming things with tannins, including tea," Greenwald says.

• Bloating after drinking tea is usually not due to the tea itself, but rather to additions like milk or certain sweeteners.
• Lactose intolerance from milk can cause digestive issues, while artificial sweeteners generally don't.
• Teas are typically beneficial for health; some herbal teas even calm the stomach.
• Teas are rich in antioxidants, though adding dairy might reduce their effects.