Can patients with gastric ulcers drink black tea?
Disease description:
A friend with a long history of gastric ulcers told me to drink some black tea to warm my stomach, but is it okay for gastric ulcers to drink black tea?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Patients with gastric ulcers are generally not advised to drink black tea. The specific reasons are as follows:
1. Black tea contains theophylline, which inhibits the activity of phosphodiesterase, a substance in the stomach that suppresses acid secretion by gastric wall cells. When phosphodiesterase activity is inhibited, gastric wall cells may secrete excessive gastric acid, which could impair ulcer healing and worsen the condition.
2. Although black tea has certain antioxidant and stimulating effects, its caffeine and tannic acid content may stimulate gastric acid secretion, aggravate gastric discomfort, and potentially lead to complications such as stomach pain or gastrointestinal bleeding.
During the active phase of a gastric ulcer or when symptoms are evident, it is recommended to avoid drinking black tea and other irritating beverages. Drinking warm water or light salt water is more appropriate. During periods of stable condition, patients may consume black tea in moderation under a doctor's guidance, but it should not be too strong or too hot, to avoid irritating the gastric mucosa.
Patients are also advised to avoid spicy, irritating, raw, cold, greasy, and hard-to-digest foods, and to maintain regular and healthy lifestyle habits to promote recovery.
