Is a cup of hot tea curing your headache or giving you a headache?
Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and different types, such as chamomile and green tea, can provide different benefits for your body.
In short
- Tea is a favourite Indian drink
- Many people believe that tea can cure headaches
- However, experts say that tea cannot directly cure headache.
“I couldn’t drink tea this morning, so I am having a headache.”
If you are a Native You might have heard this from someone too – or maybe you are the one who can’t function without your daily dose of tea. (And yes, it is tea, not chai tea),
Tea, or chai, is a staple in almost all Indian households and has now become a beloved beverage in Western countries as well. Whether it’s a hot, steamy cup from a roadside vendor or one made by your mother, for tea lovers, drinking it is one of the most soothing moments of the day – even if the temperature outside is 48 degrees Celsius.
But for many people, skipping their daily cup of tea means getting a headache – or so we have heard or perhaps even experienced.
But does tea have any connection with headache? We asked the experts.
‘There is no direct evidence’
Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, and there are many types of tea, from chamomile to green tea, which may or may not have a variety of benefits for your body. But here, when we say chai or tea, we only mean milk tea that has its roots in British India.
According to experts, this tea does not directly help you with headache.
Dr Ruhi Pirzada, a senior Mumbai-based physician and critical care specialist, says, “Although there is no direct link between headache treatment and tea consumption, it may be reasonable to think that tea may help with hydration, as dehydration can trigger headaches.”
Dr. Jyoti Bala Sharma, Director of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, Noida, also agrees and says that tea can open the nasal sinuses and provide relief from headaches caused by sinusitis.
Another reason tea may be helpful for your headache is that it is usually black tea, which contains caffeine, which can help with headaches.
Caffeine can constrict blood vessels, which may reduce headache symptoms, especially for those who suffer from headaches caused by caffeine consumption.
P.S.One cup (150 ml) of coffee contains 80–120 mg of caffeine, instant coffee contains 50–65 mg, and tea contains 30–65 mg of caffeine.
main reason
Tea may help with headaches, but its effectiveness can vary from person to person. Here are some reasons experts speculate why tea may help your headaches:
Hydration
“It’s reasonable to think that tea may help keep the body from getting dehydrated, since dehydration can also cause headaches,” says Dr. Pirzada.
Spices
One reason why tea is helpful in curing headache is the elements present in it.
Spices such as ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon, which are commonly used in tea, have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce pain and discomfort.
For example, a 2020 study found that ginger was effective in treating migraine patients.
aromatherapy
Although there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that the aroma of tea can cure your headache, some experts believe that the spices in tea may have a soothing effect, which can reduce tension-related headaches.
However, experts believe there is not enough evidence to show that tea helps with headaches. On the contrary, some experts believe that tea may worsen headaches in many people rather than cure them.
Can tea cause headaches?
Dr. Pirzada says that drinking too much tea and coffee can cause headaches because, when taken at regular intervals, they constrict the blood vessels in the brain; when taken suddenly, at long intervals, it can lead to dilation of the blood vessels, which can lead to headaches.
Dr. Sharma also agrees with this. He says that tea can interfere with the absorption of iron and other micronutrients, leading to a deficiency in the body.
“There are many conflicting articles with unclear data and none have any scientific backing. The tea has side effects such as mild to severe headaches along with poor iron absorption, anxiety, gastritis, restlessness, and poor sleep,” she adds.
What is the right time to drink tea?
In the guidelines issued by ICMR, the research body has advised us to avoid consuming tea and even coffee at least an hour before and after meals.
Why? This is due to a stimulant called tannins, which are present in tea just like caffeine. These tannins can interfere with the body’s absorption of iron. Low iron levels can lead to conditions like iron deficiency and anemia.
Photo: Pexels
“They [chai] Dr. Sharma says, “Tea should not be consumed before bedtime as it can lead to insomnia and headaches the next morning. Tannins can also cause migraines for many people. Caffeinated tea can not only trigger headaches but can also lead to dependency, leading to general fatigue and periods of low energy when not drinking tea.”
Sediment
So, don’t expect a hot cup of tea to be the solution to your headache, which can be caused by a variety of reasons, from not drinking enough water to hormonal changes.
