Key Takeaways
- Green Tea is one of the least acidic teas among all.
- It is more alkaline in nature than acidic. It also depends on how you steep your tea.
- Green Tea has a lot of antioxidants and good Amino Acids packed in it.
Our health and what we eat really depends on two things – acidity and alkalinity. Food Experts and Nutritionists are now saying that acidic food in unmounted measures can be harmful for the body.
It may cause obesity, inflammation and heart conditions. With this new discourse of health – what is good and what is not, where is Green tea on the list? A popular health drink and weight loss tool, the question lies, is Green Tea Acidic? If it is, how much of it is safe for us.
Learn everything about Green Tea, its Health Benefits and its safe consumption in this article today!
Is Acidity In Tea Safe?
Whether something is acidic or alkaline in nature is measured by its pH scale.
A pH scale measures the acidity levels. And guess what? The acidity on a pH scale is measured in opposite. High Acidity of an item results in a low value on the pH scale. In the same manner Low Acidity means higher value on the pH scale.
The higher the pH value, the more alkaline the tea. However, the perfect balance of acidity and alkaline is the value of pH7 on the scale. Most teas have a neutral and negligible pH level.
Is Green Tea Acidic?
You’ll be shocked to know but Black and Green Tea are actually less acidic in comparison to coffee! You might often find acid reflux hitting you after a few cups of caffeine and it is mainly because of coffee’s acidic nature. This is more aggravated if you already have gastric issues.
Either way, the acidity of tea also depends on the type of tea it is, the leaves and age of the tea.If the tea leaves are older, weak and more tender it might be more acidic. Green Tea however is not very acidic in nature.
Acidity Level In Different Kinds of Teas
Now that we know that the acidity of tea also depends on its kind, let’s study the pH level of some tea types:
- Black Tea (pH 4.9 – 5.5): One of the least acidic teas in the category. Black Tea is fairly common in most homes. The tea has a bold and sharp flavour profile, especially if you enjoy a richer brew of tea. The oxidation process that black tea leaves go through contribute to it’s lower pH levels.
- Green Tea (pH 5.8 – 7.0): Green Tea and it’s acidity levels widely depends on the processing method. It also depends on the steeping time one takes when preparing it. Although slightly towards the acidic side of teas, it is mostly neutral in nature due it’s lesser steeping time.
- White Tea (pH 6.5 – 7.5): White tea ranges from being mildly acidic to slightly alkaline in nature. It has a light and delicate flavor profile and hence enjoys minimal processing. In fact, White Tea is the least processed tea out of all.
- Herbal Infusions (pH 6.0 – 7.0): Herbal Infusion teas such as Chamomile, Peppermint or Fennel are made in a special manner. The flowers, leaves or even fruits of the plant are steeped to prepare the tea. They usually have a neutral pH range.
- Lemon Tea (pH 3.0): While Lemon Tea is not an actual tea brewed from leaves, but added flavor it still makes to the list. Adding lemon to your brewed tea makes it tart and citrusy. But even more, lemon lowers the pH level of your tea, making it slightly more acidic.
Apart from these, Water is also a neutral liquid. Adding milk or more water to dilute your tea decreases the acidity in the mixture.
Factors That Affect pH of Tea
It is also important to know that the kind of tea you drink is not the only factor that affects it’s pH value. The pH of Tea can also be influenced by the following factors:
- Steeping Time: The longer you steep your tea, the more tannins it releases. More tannins in a tea means potentially increasing the acidity of green tea.
- Water Quality: If your water has minerals in it, it will slightly alter the tea.
- Tea Brand and Processing: Tea Brands and the way they process tea leaves also affects the pH level.
Does Green Tea Stain Your Teeth?
Green Tea is definitely not the culprit of your Teeth staining. Green Tea by nature is on the lower side of acidity. It is even easier to say that Green Tea is more of an alkaline nature. Thus, Green Tea doesn’t stain your teeth at all.
High concentration of acid is found in citrus rich food such as lemon, sauces, wines etc. While these foods can be consumed on a measured proportion. Too much consumption of citrus rich food weakens your enamel and damages teeth. This makes your teeth vulnerable to staining.
Is Green Tea Good For You?
Green Tea has many antiviral properties. It is packed with antioxidants as well. In short, it is a power packed shot of immunity booster. Green Tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. They are known for being rich in antioxidants called polyphenols. The polyphenols in Green tea are better called catechin.
Green Tea also has other impressive compounds such as the amino acid L-theanine. This helps in relaxation, better mental focus and increased immune response.
In conclusion, have that cup of Green Tea today. It packs you with healthy benefits pushing you to a better lifestyle. When consumed in moderation, Green Tea brings you to a healthy and blessed living. Green Tea also helps to calm your stomach, prevent bloating and sometimes helps in relief from ailments like gas. So don’t wait, grab that cute tea cup and brew some green tea in it!
