The benefits of a warm cup of tea on a slow afternoon go further than just relaxation. Each heavenly sip is actively nourishing your gut and simultaneously boosting your metabolism. Teas have helped to combat digestive problems like nausea, constipation, bloating, and indigestion for millennia. This article will go over five of the best teas for your gut. Read on to know why, how, when, and when not to drink these five teas.
Five Teas That Boost Gut Health
Ginger Tea
Ginger contains compounds known as gingerols and shogaols, which can stimulate stomach contractions and gut cleansing.
It's beneficial for nausea, bloating, and indigestion.
Ginger tea can also reduce the severity of morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy.
Ginger tea bags are readily available at grocery stores.
Making ginger tea at home with a few pieces of sliced ginger root can strengthen the brew's flavor.
Fennel Tea
Fennel is an herb rich in antioxidants, a set of molecules that control dangerous free radicals in the body.ย
As such, they are helpful in combatting gut ulcers and preventing their development.
Additionally, they can stimulate bowel movements.
The gas relief it provides can help manage the effects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Fennel tea can be made by steeping the seeds or the freshly grated root of the herb in a cup of boiling water.
Black Tea
Black tea is jam-packed with healthy compounds like thearubigins and theaflavins.
These compounds help with indigestion and prevent stomach ulcers while promoting gut cleansing.
The polyphenols in black tea help moderate microbial activity in your gut. They effectively weed out harmful bacteria and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Since black tea molecules are too large to be absorbed, they remain in the intestine and promote liver metabolism remotely, boosting endocrine health.
Black tea bags are widely available, although you could also use black tea leaves from the plant Camellia sinensis.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is renowned for improving digestion by fighting indigestion and IBS.
One of the main compounds in peppermint tea is menthol, an essential oil with a host of digestive benefits against bloating and gas caused by IBS.
Since peppermint oil helps ease nausea in pregnant females, peppermint tea will likely have a similar effect.
Further research into the effects of peppermint tea on human digestion will yield more information.
Spearmint Tea
Spearmint tea contains beneficial minerals and nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamin C, iron, and folate.
S-carvone is a compound that naturally occurs in spearmint tea at high concentrations.
It has a strong ability to inhibit muscle contractions in the gut, providing relief from digestive upsets.
Spearmint tea also stabilizes the gut during episodes of nausea.
Interestingly, spearmint tea is the drink of choice for people with PCOS since it reduces the body's oxidative stress and inflammation.
Knowing When To Drink Tea
When drawing up a tea routine, you should be aware of the benefits of each kind of tea.ย
For instance, caffeinated teas can give you the energy boost you need to start the day.ย
Some examples of caffeinated teas include:
- Black tea
- Pu-erh tea
- Oolong tea
- Purple tea
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Before a meal, a cup of tea can stimulate digestion.
The best teas to stimulate digestion are:
- Green tea
- Fennel tea
- Turmeric tea
- Senna tea
At the end of the day, caffeine-free teas can help you wind down.
These could include:
- Chamomile tea
- Peppermint tea
- Hibiscus tea
- Ginger tea
When Not To Drink Certain Kinds Of Tea
- It's recommended that pregnant or breastfeeding females avoid fennel because it can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.ย
- Doctors usually advise people with cancer against drinking fennel tea since one of its main ingredients, estragole, is a potential carcinogen.
- People with heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) generally stay away from peppermint tea since it may sometimes worsen the symptoms.
- People with GERD tend to avoid spearmint tea since it can relax the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus, allowing some acid reflux and heartburn.ย
To Sum Up
- Ginger tea, fennel tea, black tea, peppermint tea, and spearmint tea are highly beneficial for digestion.
- You could drink different kinds of teas at different times of the day, depending on their caffeine content and specific benefits.
- Though herbal teas have several gut health benefits, a few may have side effects, which are essential to understand.
References:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/ginger-benefits
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tea-for-digestion
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-fennel-tea
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319646
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319651
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325242
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/peppermint-tea
