Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsWhy It HappensRisk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentAlternatives to Green TeaFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Why It Happens
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Alternatives to Green Tea
Frequently Asked Questions
Tea (green, black, and oolong) is considered one of the most popular beverages in the world.Green tea is ranked among the top three, thanks to its high antioxidant content.
Although it is generally well-tolerated, it may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
This article will explain the symptoms of a green tea allergy, how it is diagnosed and treated, and healthy alternatives.
(Phethay Canthra Phun / EyeEm / Getty Images)
Health Benefits of Green TeaSome of the health benefits of green tea include:It contains less caffeine than coffeeIt containsnatural antihistamines(which may reduce allergy symptoms)Beneficial effects oncholesteroland blood pressureOngoing research reviews green tea extract to prevent symptoms ofinflammatory bowel diseaseand lower cholesterol.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Some of the health benefits of green tea include:It contains less caffeine than coffeeIt containsnatural antihistamines(which may reduce allergy symptoms)Beneficial effects oncholesteroland blood pressureOngoing research reviews green tea extract to prevent symptoms ofinflammatory bowel diseaseand lower cholesterol.
Some of the health benefits of green tea include:
Ongoing research reviews green tea extract to prevent symptoms ofinflammatory bowel diseaseand lower cholesterol.
Green Tea Allergy Symptoms
Allergic reactions can cause symptoms in the ears, nose, throat, and sinuses. It can also cause symptoms on the skin and the stomach lining.
Potential symptoms of an allergic reaction to green tea include:
What Is Anaphylaxis?Anaphylaxisis a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Symptoms such as vomiting, swelling of the tongue or throat, and difficulty breathing occur suddenly and can quickly progress. For this reason, it requires immediate emergency attention.
What Is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxisis a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Symptoms such as vomiting, swelling of the tongue or throat, and difficulty breathing occur suddenly and can quickly progress. For this reason, it requires immediate emergency attention.
Green tea also contains caffeine, which may trigger a reaction in someone with non-allergic caffeine intolerance or acaffeine allergy.
The study found less than half of the participants developed a food allergy due to inhalation of green tea dust on the job. Many participants showing allergic reactions to green tea had consumed green tea in the past without difficulty.
For most adults, green tea is safe when consumed in moderation.However, the following people should check with their healthcare provider before drinking green tea:
Green Tea IntoleranceUnlike a green tea allergy, an intolerance occurs in the digestive system. An intolerance may occur for several reasons, including:Absence of certain digestive enzymesSensitivity to natural compounds in a food or beverageSensitivity to certain food additives
Green Tea Intolerance
Unlike a green tea allergy, an intolerance occurs in the digestive system. An intolerance may occur for several reasons, including:Absence of certain digestive enzymesSensitivity to natural compounds in a food or beverageSensitivity to certain food additives
Unlike a green tea allergy, an intolerance occurs in the digestive system. An intolerance may occur for several reasons, including:
How to Diagnose a Green Tea Allergy
If you suspect a green tea allergy, it’s important to visit your healthcare provider or anallergistfor proper diagnosis and treatment.
To make the diagnosis, your healthcare provider will:
Tea Intolerance SymptomsThe symptoms of green tea sensitivity or intolerance are different from those of a tea allergy. If you have an intolerance to green tea, you may experience:Nausea or vomitingAbdominal painNervousnessGas or bloating
Tea Intolerance Symptoms
The symptoms of green tea sensitivity or intolerance are different from those of a tea allergy. If you have an intolerance to green tea, you may experience:Nausea or vomitingAbdominal painNervousnessGas or bloating
The symptoms of green tea sensitivity or intolerance are different from those of a tea allergy. If you have an intolerance to green tea, you may experience:
Green Tea Allergy Treatment
For mild symptoms, your healthcare provider may suggest over-the-counter (OTC)antihistamines, which can help reduce symptoms such as swelling, itching, and hives.
The best way to treat a green tea allergy is not to drink it. You may also need to avoid consuming other foods or beverages from theCamellia Sinensis,such as:
For a severe allergy that causes anaphylaxis, you will needepinephrine(EpiPen) treatment, which must be with you at all times.
If you’re allergic to green tea, consider these alternatives, which have similar benefits:
Summary
Green tea is one of the world’s healthiest beverages. Although a green tea allergy is rare, it can still happen. Most green tea allergies are related to its compounds (tannins and caffeine). However, newer studies suggest a protein in green tea may also trigger an allergic reaction. Treatment often includes removing green tea from your diet.
A Word From Verywell
Although uncommon, being diagnosed with a green tea allergy can be frustrating, especially if you enjoy it. The good news is that plenty of alternatives can provide similar benefits. However, if you believe you may have a green tea allergy or intolerance, you must speak with your healthcare provider or allergist.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBefore allergy testing, green tea and other supplements should be avoided for five to seven days.No, for people without a known allergy or intolerance, drinking green tea every day can benefit a person’s overall health.The tannins in green tea can contribute to a dry mouth and throat, leading to a sore throat.
Before allergy testing, green tea and other supplements should be avoided for five to seven days.
No, for people without a known allergy or intolerance, drinking green tea every day can benefit a person’s overall health.
The tannins in green tea can contribute to a dry mouth and throat, leading to a sore throat.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mount Sinai.Green tea.Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Green tea.Food Allergy Research and Education.Recognizing and treating reaction symptoms.American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Tea allergy.Shirai T, Hayakawa H, Akiyama J, et al.Food allergy to green tea.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003;112(4):805-806. doi:10.1016/S0091-6749(03)01885-2Gleason JL, Tekola-Ayele F, Sundaram R, et al.Association between maternal caffeine consumption and metabolism and neonatal anthropometry: a secondary analysis of the NICHD fetal growth studies–singletons.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(3):e213238. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3238dePaula J, Farah A.Caffeine consumption through coffee: content in the beverage, metabolism, health benefits and risks.Beverages. 2019;5(2):37. doi:10.3390/beverages5020037American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Caffeine and children.Kajita N, Miyama S, Kinoshita K, Yoshida K, Narita M.Green tea-induced anaphylaxis: the first pediatric case report.Allergology International. 2021;70(4):507-508. doi:10.1016/j.alit.2021.05.007MedlinePlus.Antihistamines for allergies.ENT & Allergy Specialists of Virginia.Allergy testing.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mount Sinai.Green tea.Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Green tea.Food Allergy Research and Education.Recognizing and treating reaction symptoms.American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Tea allergy.Shirai T, Hayakawa H, Akiyama J, et al.Food allergy to green tea.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003;112(4):805-806. doi:10.1016/S0091-6749(03)01885-2Gleason JL, Tekola-Ayele F, Sundaram R, et al.Association between maternal caffeine consumption and metabolism and neonatal anthropometry: a secondary analysis of the NICHD fetal growth studies–singletons.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(3):e213238. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3238dePaula J, Farah A.Caffeine consumption through coffee: content in the beverage, metabolism, health benefits and risks.Beverages. 2019;5(2):37. doi:10.3390/beverages5020037American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Caffeine and children.Kajita N, Miyama S, Kinoshita K, Yoshida K, Narita M.Green tea-induced anaphylaxis: the first pediatric case report.Allergology International. 2021;70(4):507-508. doi:10.1016/j.alit.2021.05.007MedlinePlus.Antihistamines for allergies.ENT & Allergy Specialists of Virginia.Allergy testing.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mount Sinai.Green tea.Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Green tea.Food Allergy Research and Education.Recognizing and treating reaction symptoms.American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Tea allergy.Shirai T, Hayakawa H, Akiyama J, et al.Food allergy to green tea.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003;112(4):805-806. doi:10.1016/S0091-6749(03)01885-2Gleason JL, Tekola-Ayele F, Sundaram R, et al.Association between maternal caffeine consumption and metabolism and neonatal anthropometry: a secondary analysis of the NICHD fetal growth studies–singletons.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(3):e213238. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3238dePaula J, Farah A.Caffeine consumption through coffee: content in the beverage, metabolism, health benefits and risks.Beverages. 2019;5(2):37. doi:10.3390/beverages5020037American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Caffeine and children.Kajita N, Miyama S, Kinoshita K, Yoshida K, Narita M.Green tea-induced anaphylaxis: the first pediatric case report.Allergology International. 2021;70(4):507-508. doi:10.1016/j.alit.2021.05.007MedlinePlus.Antihistamines for allergies.ENT & Allergy Specialists of Virginia.Allergy testing.
Mount Sinai.Green tea.
Food and Drug Administration.Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Green tea.
Food Allergy Research and Education.Recognizing and treating reaction symptoms.
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Tea allergy.
Shirai T, Hayakawa H, Akiyama J, et al.Food allergy to green tea.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2003;112(4):805-806. doi:10.1016/S0091-6749(03)01885-2
Gleason JL, Tekola-Ayele F, Sundaram R, et al.Association between maternal caffeine consumption and metabolism and neonatal anthropometry: a secondary analysis of the NICHD fetal growth studies–singletons.JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(3):e213238. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3238
dePaula J, Farah A.Caffeine consumption through coffee: content in the beverage, metabolism, health benefits and risks.Beverages. 2019;5(2):37. doi:10.3390/beverages5020037
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Caffeine and children.
Kajita N, Miyama S, Kinoshita K, Yoshida K, Narita M.Green tea-induced anaphylaxis: the first pediatric case report.Allergology International. 2021;70(4):507-508. doi:10.1016/j.alit.2021.05.007
MedlinePlus.Antihistamines for allergies.
ENT & Allergy Specialists of Virginia.Allergy testing.
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