One burns the stomach and eyes; the other, the nervous system, creating anxiety.
Can you guess which is tea and which is coffee? This statement might sound extreme, especially for habitual tea or coffee drinkers.
But let’s delve deeper into the truth about tea & coffee..
Does Tea Cause Acidity and Stomach Problems?
In 2018, an Ayurvedic doctor advised me to quit tea. She attributed my anemia, low Vitamin B12, and other deficiencies to malabsorption caused by tea. Despite consuming 4-5 cups daily, I dismissed the warning. Tea was my go-to for focus and stress relief—stronger, less milk, more brewed. In hindsight, it was classic addiction. Tea primarily affects the digestive system. It can burn the stomach lining, cause acid reflux, and, over time, lead to nutrient malabsorption. If you every try to have tea empty stomach after a naturopathy detox, you will feel its acidity. The acidity hits your stomach, eyes, and head.
How Does Coffee Affect Your Nervous System and Sleep?
What tea was to me, coffee is to others. Most habitual coffee drinkers cherish it. Some have a ritual around it, making sure it is made perfect in taste, texture and consistency. Coffee impacts the nervous system, works like a Whip! Someone once gave me the example of a horse pulling a large load. The horse is tired, fatigued and needs rest. Instead, it keeps getting whipped to continue moving. Your nervous system is that tired horse and coffee its whip. Eventually, it collapses. While it gives a sense of alertness/energy quickly, its constant overuse can disrupt sleep, cause jitters, and lead to chronic fatigue bought on by dehydration.
Post-detox, coffee’s effects on the nerves and sleep cycles become very evident. You will experience it more if consumed after 4 PM or by those over 40.
Tea vs. Coffee: What Do They Have in Common?
Both tea and coffee are acidic, habit-forming, and dehydrating. While liquids, they don’t hydrate. Instead often trigger headaches, especially after prolonged consumption. If you are healthy, occasional, small amounts—never on an empty stomach—are generally tolerable. But regular use exacerbates health issues like acidity, poor sleep, and chronic dehydration.
Remember, the body feels temporarily better consuming addictive substances, slowly wanting more potency to get the same effect. Treat tea and coffee like alcohol: their potency, quantity, and regularity determine their impact. Use them sparingly and always prioritize hydration with pure water to prevent long-term health issues.
“I have them black” is the statement many clients say with a lot of pride, little realising this can be the most damaging. Infact it is the addition of milk and some sweetener in both tea and coffee that cuts their most harmful effect: acidity.
Adapt Your Tea & Coffee Habit:
1. Restrict to 1-2 cups & small cup size.
2. Never on an empty stomach
3. Have with slightly dense foods: Oat/bran cookies, butter & bread
4. Brew it lighter & add some milk or cream
5. Finish by 5 pm (5hrs before bedtime)
What Are the Best Substitutes for Tea and Coffee?
For those reversing disease or battling acidity and sleep disturbances, letting go of tea and coffee is crucial. Sometimes we crave a hot drink after a big meal. This happens when the digestive fire is not strong enough to digest the meal. Rather than tea, drink hot (not lukewarm) water for this. If indigestion is persistent, then make hot lemon water, add some honey and rock salt and drink, a few hours post meals.
For more such suggestions and drink substitutes, read: https://yoururbannaturopath.com/mindful-drinking-enhance-wellness-through-daily-choices/
