Can tea upset your tum?

[Alwayschanging1]

I live my life struggling with stomach cramps, diarrhoea and wind.
I have just had a week on holiday and had no problems at all - slept well, no cramps - it was fab.
I have been wracking my brains to work out what was different on holiday and it occurred to me it could be tea. I drank almost no tea when I was away because it was awful (luke warm water, cream not milk...).
At home I only drink decaff tea and never drink coffee (hate it).
What do you think? Can decaff tea cause these problems? I do drink a lot of it.

[Deebeelou]

I think so. I used to only drink tea (about 8 cups a day) and thought I was lactose intolerant for a long time. Got pregnant, went off tea and the symptoms disappeared. Haven't drank tea or had symptoms for five years now. It wasn't decaf tea though. I drink water and one coffee a day now.

[Alwayschanging1]

Oh crap. I love my cuppa. It was hard enough switching to decaffeinated... but no tea at all? I'm going to cry.

[Bentedbigmess]

Yep, I get a bit constipated sometimes but a pot of ordinary breakfast tea and I'm sorted! Don't think it's the caffeine, my suspicion is the tannin.

[Bloopbleep]

Tannin (sp?) in tea can make you really sick. If I have too strong tea on an empty stomach I end up getting really dizzy & vomiting & headaches which can then end up being diarrhoea later in the day. I don't know why it is but it can feel like being poisoned

[Bentedbigmess]

Or milk!

[Deebeelou]

I have the odd cup now and again with no problems but I just went off it so much while pregnant, I've never really liked it since. It was literally all I drank though and it was caffeinated. I eat all dairy now with no trouble so I really think it was was tea for me. Perhaps try reintroducing tea slowly and see what happens? Keep a food diary too? Anxiety affects my tummy too so noting stressful times of the day could help figure it out?

[ExasperatedAlmostAlways]

I have really bad ibs but for some reason on holiday it's nowhere near as bad and sometimes none existant. its a strange one! Try cutting out tea here for a week and see if it's helps.

[minatiae]

Do you drink milk in anything else or by itself? Maybe it's the milk.

[Alwayschanging1]

I was eating yogurt and cheese on hold without any problem. The lack of tea was the only real change in my diet.

[Alwayschanging1]

Hols not hold

[Alwayschanging1]

I'm gutted. A cuppa is such a simple pleasure. I honestly feel like crying. But it all makes sense.

[BlackAmericanoNoSugar]

You could be lactose intolerant. I can't have milk but I'm fine with yoghurt and hard cheese as bacteria digest most of the lactose as part of the process of making them. Try having your tea with Koko for a week when you get back and see if it helps (I've served it to friends when I didn't have any milk and they found it fine in tea and coffee).

Tea and coffee tastes nicer without milk anyway, now that I'm used to it.

[Alwayschanging1]

Thanks blackamerican- will try that too.

[GooodMythicalMorning]

Yes the tannin. Also in red wine which sets me off too.

[BestIsWest]

The milk! I can eat cheese, cream and yoghurt and be fine. Milk gives me terrible wind.

I love tea but gave up milk in April and switched to herbal teas. I feel miles better.

Lacto free milk is not too bad.

[Alwayschanging1]

Just to let you know I have took turns at cutting out tea and then dairy and have worked out that it is actually the milk causing the problem.
Now have a fridge full of lactofree cheese and milk and am feeling much better. Thanks for all your help!