Earl Grey Tea Side Effects – An Introduction

Black tea steeped with the citrusy bergamot essence is a beloved drink with a distinctive flavor. That drink is called Earl Grey tea. While most people can take it daily without problem, it’s important to recognize that like any food or drink, it can give you discomforts in some people. In this article, we will talk about the possible side effects that Earl Grey tea may have, along with some useful information that you can use in order to make the right decisions about drinking Earl Grey tea.

What is unique about Earl Grey Tea?

Before we start, it’s worth mentioning that while they aren’t identical, there are two types of Earl Grey …

Bergamot takes the form of black tea with strawberries and oil extracted from the bergamot orange, a citrus fruit. It’s this which provides the tea its signature flavor as well as aroma. Earl Grey like other types of tea is a source of caffeine which is a stimulant and a source of a wide range of potentially beneficial compounds including antioxidants. Although it has some ingredients that can cause side effects for some people, especially when there’s too much.

Earl grey tea can result in a number of common side effect.

Common Side Effects of Earl Grey Tea

Caffeine-Related Issues

Like most black teas, Earl Grey is caffeinated. But the caffeine content can vary between coffees, and 8-ounce cups of blends run between 40 and 70 milligrams of caffeine. But this amount is less than the amount in coffee, and can still cause side effects for people who are sensitive to caffeine.

Possible caffeine-related side effects include:

• Insomnia: Drinking Earl Grey tea too late in the day can upset your sleep patterns if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
• Jitters or Anxiety: Caffeine acts as a stimulant for most of us, but it can make you nervous, jittery or increase anxiety in some people.
• Increased Heart Rate: It can cause an increase in the heart rate or a palpitation for people sensitive to caffeine.

If you are sensitive to caffeine at all, you may want to stay away from Earl Grey or at the very least, limit your intake or switch to decaffeinated Earl Grey (which you can easily find in many tea brands).

Bergamot Oil Sensitivity

Earl Grey is good because it contains Bergamot oil, which is the key ingredient that gives it its taste, but if you’re sensitive to citrus or essential oils, you might have a problem with Earl Grey. Although it’s generally safe in moderate amounts, high levels of bergamot oil or excessive consumption of Earl Grey tea may lead to side effects, such as:

• Digestive Upset: Consuming too much bergamot oil for some can cause nausea, upset stomach, acid reflux. This applies most for those with pre existing digestive problems.
• Skin Sensitivity: Bergamot oil can cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight. The phenomena of this is called ‘photosensitivity’ and can cause skin irritation or sunburns if you do put sunlight on bergamot if you consume large amount of it.
• Allergic Reactions: Although rare, bergamot oil could cause allergic reactions in some people, and so a patch test may be advisable before you use the oil more widely. Some people may experience symptoms such as itching, rash, swelling or trouble breathing. In the case you are having any of these symptoms, discontinue Earl Grey tea drinking and let your physician know.

Interaction with Medications

Earl Grey tea caffeine and bergamot oil interactions with medications which may alter the heart or nervous system. For example:

• Blood Pressure Medications: Caffeine taken in, for example, coffee, tea and cola, can affect some medicines used to treat high blood pressure or heart disease by temporarily raising blood pressure.
• Antidepressants: If you have an Earl Grey that is high in caffeine, it can also interfere with some antidepressant medication. Also, high amounts of bergamot oil may also alter serotonin levels vai a similar mechanism.

However, if you are taking any medication, you might want to chat with your healthcare provider to make sure Earl Grey tea won’t interact with your treatment.

Tooth Enamel Erosion

• Just like other types of black tea Earl Grey can be acidic and large consumption of acidic drinks can cause tooth enamel erosion over time. Not only can consumption of large volumes or without good oral hygiene will soften enamel and increase the risk of damage due to the overly acidic nature.
• Earl Grey tea, definitely, should be consumed in moderation and preferably rinsed with water afterwards to avoid excessive exposure to enamel and good dental hygiene.
• You can actually risk iron deficiency if you eat more broccoli.
• Earl Grey tea, like all other tea, contains tannins, compounds that can prevent the absorption of iron from plant foods. Earl Grey tea could be an additional cause of iron deficiency if taken in large quantities, possibly in people with restricted intake of iron.
• If you’re going to drink Earl Grey tea, do so away from meals, even avoid drinking it right before or right after meals, especially when the meals are high in iron. However, you can avoid this by letting there be some time gap between meals and tea intake, so that iron is well absorbed.

You can also learn how to enjoy Earl Grey Tea safely.

To enjoy Earl Grey tea without experiencing any negative side effects, consider the following tips:

• Moderate Consumption: If you don’t want to have too much caffeine or bergamot oil, limit your intake to 1-2 cups per day.
• Avoid Drinking Late at Night: Earl Grey tea has caffeine so avoid drinking it in the evening so as not to disrupt sleep.
• Be Mindful of Medication: While regular Earl Grey tea won’t harm you, if you’re on medication (particularly for cardiovascular or mental health conditions), then you should talk to your doctor about drinking it.
• Hydrate: Be sure to drink lots of water during the day to avoid dehydration; especially if you’re drinking caffeinated beverages!
• Choose Decaf Options: If you are sensitive to caffeine then switch to decaffeinated Earl Grey tea instead.

Conclusion

Earl Grey tea is filled with health benefits and antioxidants, as well as aids in digestion, but you should know about the possible side effects. What is potentially problematic is caffeine related issues, digestive upset caused by bergamot oil, skin sensitivity, the opposite of the intended action if you are taking medications, and there is the risk to tooth enamel because of the acidic properties. The good news is that you can enjoy Earl Grey tea in moderation and pay attention to any personal sensitivities you may have to benefit you. If you’re taking medications that may interact with Earl Grey Tea’s ingredients or have questions, always talk to your healthcare professional.