Can tea aid digestion?
Discover how different teas can ease bloating, support digestion and become a simple after-meal ritual.
Several experiments conducted with green tea extracts suggest that it reduces the digestion and absorption of fats, as well as starch, in the intestine. Other studies clearly indicate that it increases gastric secretion, mainly due to its local chemical action on the stomach lining. It could therefore aid digestion, particularly after a large and/or rich meal.
A recent British study has also shown its beneficial effect on the intestinal bacterial flora (the microbiota): according to the results, daily consumption of green tea could favourably alter the composition of the microbial ecosystem by rebalancing the ratio of friendly bacteria to pathogens. And thus potentially combat intestinal disorders.
Can tea be difficult to digest?
Like any liquid, tea can slow down digestion if drunk in excessive quantities after a meal, as it increases the volume of food in the stomach and dilutes gastric juices. It is better to stick to one cup at the end of a meal and, for heavy consumers, to schedule other tea breaks between meals.
Adding milk to tea can also make digestion difficult. In this case, it is not the tea that is to blame, but the milk, which is difficult to break down and which some people in particular find hard to tolerate.
In recent years, numerous studies have confirmed that there is no link between tea consumption and gastro-oesophageal disorders (gastritis, reflux, dyspepsia, heartburn, etc.). On the contrary, flavonoids, especially catechins – mainly found in green tea – appear to play a powerful protective role against cancers of the digestive tract, in particular by inhibiting the growth of Helicobacter pylori bacteria colonies. However, be careful never to drink it when it is very hot, as this can cause lesions in the oesophagus that can eventually become cancerous.
Which tea should you drink to combat stomach ache?
Tea, and more specifically green tea rich in catechins, gives digestion a boost after a heavy and/or large meal and protects the digestive organs. According to traditional Chinese medicine, Pu Ehr tea – a dark fermented tea – is also particularly recommended for stimulating and easing digestion, purifying the body and eliminating toxins.
This stimulating effect can also be enhanced by combining it with other plants known for their digestive properties: ginger, peppermint, green anise, star anise, rosemary, etc.
