Tea Causing Vomiting?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone had ever heard of tea causing nausea and vomiting. I am not a coffee drinker, but if I drink tea on an empty stomach in the morning, it causes severe N/V. I'm pretty much OK if I drink it later in the day and if I have had a snack. Even if I don't vomit, the nausea lasts a few hours. Just wondering if anyone else has come across this.

Thanks

Hello,

Green tea contains tannins (polyphenols) therefore:

Tannins are astringent, bitter plant polyphenols that either bind and precipitate or shrink proteins. The astringency from the tannins is what causes the dry and puckery feeling in the mouth following the consumption of unripened fruit or red wine[1] Likewise, the destruction or modification of tannins with time plays an important role in the ripening of fruit and the aging of wine.

There is also a chance that leafs of green tea (any tea) where collected at a premature state when tannin element is present at its highest.

Best thing is to have a snack while drinking tea

Regards

0 Votes

yup, cast iron stomache here, except for two things, tea and B complex vitamin supplement.....on an empty stomache....otherwise no problem

0 Votes

Ths has happened to my daughter after drinking iced tea in the early a.m. on an empty stomach!

0 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I can drink any kind of black tea at any time of day, try a sip of green tea or fruity tea even with a meal and insta nausea sets in. Absolutely no idea why, I have no other issues with my stomach at all.

0 Votes

I am very happy I found this thread. I'm a 25 year old, healthy male. I noticed for the past few years that tea (especially black sweet teas) have attributed to me vomiting. It started quite a few years back during a hot virginia summer. After running I came into the house and probably chugged about 25 oz of sweet tea. Less than 5 minutes later I was vomiting. I thought it was due to exhaustion and wrote it off. I rarely drink tea but do enjoy it on occasion. A couple of weeks ago I went into work feeling great and ready to make some money (I'm a server). I was just getting over a cold so I decided to make some hot green tea. I drank the whole mug in about 20 minutes. Ten minutes after finishing I noticed I was getting really hot, dizzy and kind of nauseaus. I snuck into the bathroom to text and out of nowhere felt the urge to vomit. No sooner than I entered the stall did I start to vomit horribly barely making the toilet. I don't understand why Tea would do this to me. At this point I thought there was an underlying issue. Today I drank about 8 oz of tea just to check whether or not it was sweet or unsweet and sure enough, 5 minutes later, I was back at the commode vomiting. Has this ever happened to any of you guys and if so, have you any idea what it could be? WHen I drink the fake stuff I am never adversely affected. Only when I drink real brewed iced tea. Looking back, every time I vomit and I'm not drinking alcohol or have the flu, there is always iced tea involved. This is very strange. If anybody could shed some light of this I would be forever indebted to you. Thanks for everything, folks.

David D. Richmond, VA

0 Votes

Or, I forgot to mention... I am an avid coffee drinker. I drink 2-4 cups a day and never have any problems so it most definitely isn't the caffeine.

0 Votes
Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

Hahaha..I am so glad you posted this....I can drink black coffee by the gallon (but have cut down) on an empty stomach and NO problem so it's not the caffiene BUT black tea, either hot or cold...and I am hurling my head off....!!!!!:barf01:

I thought it was ME....My grandmother was English and of course, tea ran though her veins, no problems for her! but for me there sure is...I can drink it during the day and I frequently do as I love it, but not the first thing on an empty stomach. It doesn't happen if I put cream and sugar in....but ick.

0 Votes
Specializes in CriticalCare.
Hahaha..I am so glad you posted this....I can drink black coffee by the gallon (but have cut down) on an empty stomach and NO problem so it's not the caffiene BUT black tea, either hot or cold...and I am hurling my head off....!!!!!:barf01:

I thought it was ME....My grandmother was English and of course, tea ran though her veins, no problems for her! but for me there sure is...I can drink it during the day and I frequently do as I love it, but not the first thing on an empty stomach. It doesn't happen if I put cream and sugar in....but ick.

I am sorry that the tea is actually causing VOMITING in you all--most undesirable.

flavonoids, catechins, polyphenols and tannins on an empty stomach, along with caffeine, may provide a synergistic effect in producing nausea.

food and sometimes ginger can minimize this effect.

the caffeine in teas is superior, imo, as because they are mixed in the beforementioned, the caffeine is released at a slower rate

you could try caffeine free green tea to avoid said synergy. adding milk can inactivate the beforementioned beneficial chemicals, so keep that in mind if u are wanting those benefits. smaller doses, eating it with food, or ginger are the preferred 'remedy'. also, some ppl may be slightly allergic to said chemicals too.

I am very curious as to the EXACT brands of tea used to cause these effects and method of preparation

it is my understanding that green tea shouldnt be in hot (NOT boiled) water more than 3minutes max. 1minute may reduce said symptoms. black tea can be at or near boiling.

If you all would be so kind as to list some of the brands along with whether it was green or black, i would be most appreciative.

hope this helps with your questions tho.

0 Votes

The folks I know from India always recommend mixing tea with a protein such as dairy milk, soy milk, or coconut milk to coat the stomach. This is supposed to decrease risk of osteoporosis, decrease incidences of nausea and vomiting, and increase absorption of flavonoids.

0 Votes
Specializes in CriticalCare.
The folks I know from India always recommend mixing tea with a protein such as dairy milk, soy milk, or coconut milk to coat the stomach. This is supposed to decrease risk of osteoporosis, decrease incidences of nausea and vomiting, and increase absorption of flavonoids.

and inactivates the beneficial antioxidant chemicals listed.

if you are using the green tea for health benefits, do NOT mix it with dairy.

0 Votes

WOW...folks been suffering since the 2005 post... :)

I much prefer iced tea- and that seems to help reduce any GI problems. I don't like hot fluids at all. But, with the various herbal blends, it makes sense that some would be GI irritants. ie- laxative teas.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment