We all know how drinking warm beverages first thing in the morning can be beneficial for our metabolism and digestive system. But does that go for all beverages? The grapevine says that that drinking hot tea on an empty stomach is not the smartest idea. Let’s see how true this is.

Several people are addicted to tea and can’t seem to wake up without having a cup of tea first thing in the morning. Starting your day with tea is fine but don’t let it be on an empty stomach. Make sure you eat something before your tea or you can have some nuts with your morning tea.

If you’re wondering why, here’s the answer. Well, studies have shown that having warm water in the morning is not the same as having warm tea on an empty stomach. According to researchers, all kinds of caffeinated drinks like coffee and green tea, milk tea, oolong tea, black tea, etc. can react on an empty stomach and it being hot furthers the risk.

3 reasons why you should not drink hot tea on an empty stomach:

1. Stomach irritation

In a study published by Chung S. Yang, a chemical biology professor at Rutgers, has shown that people may experience stomach irritation after drinking strongly brewed tea on an empty stomach. The study also mentions the increased risk of esophageal and stomach cancers from drinking tea that is too hot which is intolerable by an empty stomach. Also, the strong antioxidants and polyphenols present in tea leads to acidity.

2. Headache

People complain about having a headache if they don’t have tea as soon as they wake up but what if having tea is what is causing you to have headaches? In a research journal published by Taylor & Francis on drinking tea, the author Carolyn M. Matthews mentions that tea can cause nausea and headache, particularly when taken on an empty stomach. It does contain caffeine and can be associated with central nervous system hyperstimulation, such as insomnia, agitation, or tremors.

3. Blocks absorption of nutrients

Presence of polyphenols such as tannin and caffeine can lower the body’s ability to absorb nutrients like iron from the food when having too many cups of tea on an empty stomach.