One of the most recommended ways to alleviate IBS symptoms is to have a cup of tea. Well, there is a reason behind it! Depending on the type of tea being sipped, an IBS patient is likely to associate it with relaxation.
Physically, sipping the right tea can help relieve cramps and relax the muscles of the abdomen. Mentally, it can relieve uneasiness and stress. Sipping tea also raises the level of fluids, which is the main factor for boosting digestion. It is a common belief that hot beverages can support digestion.
So, are all teas ideal for alleviating the symptoms of IBS? If not, which are recommended and why? Let’s find out!
Are All Teas Recommended for IBS Relief?
No! It depends on how a specific tea helps in relieving the IBS symptoms. It is a fact that non-beneficial or overgrowing bacteria are fond of sugar. Thus, teas having sugar should be avoided.
Instead of sugar-sweetened teas, you should consider sweetening teas with honey or fruit flavor. This means it is better to make your own tea than buying a ready-made pack. In the case of the latter, antioxidants break down with time, due to which nutritional value is likely to drop.
However, lavender and mint teas are exceptions. These teas contain camphor and/or menthol that remain inside ready-made pack and soothe gastrointestinal distress post consumption. It is generally believed that most herbal teas are fine for consumption by IBS patients.
It should be noted that beverages with caffeine, matcha, and tannin are not recommended for soothing IBS symptoms. Even green and black teas can result in irritation.
How Herbal Teas Help in Giving Relief from IBS
One of the recommended herbal teas for easing the symptoms of IBS is peppermint tea. It is antispasmodic, meaning it can aid in alleviating cramps and pain, and easing imbalanced bowel movement.
When it comes to IBS, peppermint provides relief by relaxing stomach cramps and reducing gas. The latter is due to the ability of this herb to prevent gas from passing down the digestive system by relaxing the sphincter atop the stomach, consequently resulting in a sharp rise in burping.
This is also the reason why reflux patients do not have this tea before sleeping at night. Peppermint is also known to soothe the nerve fibers that become too sensitive when the IBS symptoms trigger.
Another herbal tea highly recommended for reducing IBS symptoms is ginger tea. It is known to help in alleviating the feelings of nausea and decreasing inflammation, the latter being useful for IBS-D.
Ginger has a rich record for alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, vomiting, and nausea. Thus, it is a great intruder for IBS. The herb is a prokinetic, meaning it can keep bowels moving to keep constipation at bay and prevent diarrhea-induced spasms.
Even fennel tea is likely to relax IBS cramps. Fennel, with a taste similar to licorice, has a good history of being used as a natural remedy for relieving gas, bloating, and cramps. However, fennel may not be suitable for some consumers due to it being a high FODMAP item. Thus, you should start with a low quantity if having it for the first time.
Conclusion
Sugarless herbal teas may help you ease the IBS symptoms. However, to find the most relieving tea, it is recommended to experiment with different herbal teas to find out how your body responds to each for treating IBS.
