What's wrong with tea?

I understand that coffee is highly acidic, even if decaffeinated. But, tea? What's the problem with drinking tea if i suffer from GERD?

Hi chibicau,

I have a reactive stomach and had fairly bad GERD before my Nissen.  I couldn't then, and can't now drink much/or any coffee.  Tea has never, and still never bothers my stomach.  I drink regular black tea, and it does not bother me.  Why?  No idea.  I do drink decaf black tea often, but I don't really have a problem with caffeinated, either.

I think even at its strongest, tea isn't as potent as coffee.  Plus you can brew tea very light and it still tastes good.  Coffee is far more acidic and aggressive on the stomach.

GERD triggers are very individual.  What bothers one person, doesn't bother another. 

One other thing I'll mention.  Caffeine has an effect on the LES and from what I've heard weakens it.  Because of that, it can increase GERD symptoms. My PCP wanted me to stay completely away from even decaf tea and coffee, and preferred I drink herbal teas for that reason.  I don't enjoy herbal tea, and stuck with weaker brewed regular decaf tea, and never had an ounce of trouble.

Good luck with your quest for answers!

Denise

It is very strange as I seem to get regurgitation worse on tea but with coffee it is more acidic. If I have a drink of tea in the morning I often regurgitate my breakfast within 30 minutes, yet if I have coffee I am more prone to get acid at some point later in the morning. I take 30mg of lansoprazole in the morning first thing with water and then eat 30-40 mins later, this stops a lot of the burn but not the sick. I can drink coffee later in the day but too much and I have a really bad evening and it does not seem to matter whether it is decaf or not.

I always find things worse in the morning when it comes to eating and drinking but I hardly ever wake with burn in the night unless I have eaten late or had too much alcohol. I do however wake with a strange feeling in my throat and often have a sore throat.

I find that it is best not to drink coffee or tea after 4pm but this is only a guide, I do however like a beer at weekends and really try not let the reflux control my life. Everyone is different and it really is a learning curve.