Bed tea – an indulgent Indian tradition; but should you drink tea on an empty stomach?

Bed tea - it’s a tradition bequeathed to Indians from the British Raj era, that has continued to endure the test of time in modern India.

So, what exactly is, ‘bed tea’?

As the name suggests, bed tea is served to you - in bed - early in the morning, shortly after waking.

In many Indian households, the day begins with a fresh cup of hot bed tea and the newspaper.

Tea has many health benefits, but experts now believe that consuming any form of caffeine on an empty stomach is not ideal.

It is widely believed that drinking tea or coffee on an empty stomach can lead to dehydration, digestive issues and can disrupt metabolic activity, resulting in restlessness and stomach cramps. Experts suggest we should always line our stomachs before drinking coffee or tea to avoid digestion problems caused by caffeine.

That’s not to say tea in the morning isn’t good for you! 

Many of us love a cup of fresh hot tea to start the day; it’s just best enjoyed with or after breakfast and throughout the day rather than first thing in the morning without food. That fresh cup of tea can then be enjoyed and digested more easily when our metabolic activity has begun functioning effectively.

Tea can help satisfy your sweet tooth craving in the morning and throughout the day and evening, while also providing a lovely energy boost.

If the morning is your preferred workout time, drinking tea afterwards can aid in faster muscle recovery by helping to repair cells.

A relaxing cup of tea in the morning can help give you an energy boost without the caffeine crash or other unwanted side effects coffee may bring. While tea has caffeine, it has other health benefiting qualities that have a balancing effect.   

As well as its fantastic taste and soothing qualities, tea has many health benefits, including being rich in antioxidants, aiding in digestion, and being able to boost your metabolism and immunity. Great news for your health and your waistline! Studies have shown that loose leaf green tea particularly, where your body is receiving all the nutrients from the whole leaf, is a natural weight loss supplement.

Tea can also hydrate your body and can help lower cholesterol. A relaxing cup of tea can be beneficial to your mental wellbeing and simply perk up your morning (and afternoon and evening) routine!

L-theanine is an amino acid in tea leaves known to promote relaxation without drowsiness. The combination of L-theanine and caffeine found in tea improves memory, reaction time, focus and concentration.

Author CS Lewis, best known for The Chronicles of Narnia, famously quoted:

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."

Rujani’s flavoursome ‘Morning Special’ is the ideal wake-up tea. Its full-bodied flavour is sure to get you going and to start your day off great.

So, maybe not bed tea, but a cup of tea in the morning, with or after breakfast, is a healthy habit you can enjoy guilt-free.