Tea vs Coffee: Which One is More Acidic?

Both tea and coffee contain caffeine, which can have a stimulating effect on the body, but can the acidity of these beverages have an impact on our digestive and oral health? This article will explore the science behind the acidity levels of tea and coffee and how they can affect our bodies.

Acidity of tea vs Coffee: Which is more acidic?

Black coffee and black tea have almost identical levels of acidity. Coffee has an average pH of 4.5 – 6, and black tea has a pH of 4.9 – 5.5.

Green tea, on the other hand, has an average pH of 10, making it 100,000 times less acidic than black tea. Don’t believe me? Keep reading.

When We Say a Drink Is ‘Acidic,’ What Does That Mean?

When we say “acid content” of coffee or tea, we mean that there are tiny particles in these drinks that can make them taste a bit sour or tangy.

The acidity of coffee is due to the presence of organic acids like chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and citric acid, which contribute to the beverage’s flavor and aroma.

This is why we call it “acidic,” because it tastes similar to foods like lemons or vinegar, which also taste sour. We can taste the acid content in coffee, but it’s usually pretty subtle. Some people might not even notice it.

Understanding pH and Its Relationship to Acidity in Beverages

Let’s nerd out a bit, dive a little deeper, and broaden our understanding of acid, aka pH.

What is pH?

pH is a way to check if something is an acid or a base. It’s measured on a scale from 0 to 14, where 0 is super acidic, 7 is neutral, and 14 is super basic (alkaline).

When something has a pH below 7, it is an acid; when it has a pH above 7, it is a base. The pH scale works in “logarithmic units.” Each whole number represents a 10-fold change¹ in acidity or alkalinity.

For example, something with a pH of 4 is 10 x more acidic than something with a pH of 5. And something with a pH of 10 is 10 x less acidic than something with a pH of 9.

Here’s a table showing the pH levels of common everyday liquids:

Are coffee and tea bad for your stomach?

There is no concrete evidence² that drinking coffee or tea has long-term negative effects on the stomach.

However, since coffee and certain teas can stimulate stomach acid production³, individuals with sensitive stomachs may be more affected by the acids present in these beverages.

So, all in all, neither coffee nor tea is bad for your stomach.

Does tea or coffee cause GERD, acid reflux, or EE?

A study on coffee⁴ conducted in 2019 and published in the Journal of Medicine examined the impact of drinking coffee at least four days a week on 1837 participants.

Results showed that drinking coffee (with or without cream) does not cause GERD, acid reflux, or erosive esophagitis (EE).

The same goes for tea. According to at least 30 studies, there is zero association between tea drinking and GERD⁵.

“The result of meta-analysis showed that tea drinking had no significant association with the risk of GERD.”

Cao, H., Huang, X., Zhi, X., Han, C., Li, L., & Li, Y. (2019)

does coffee affect digestion?

A recent study⁶ shed light on some interesting findings about coffee consumption. Here are five key takeaways:

• Coffee doesn’t improve digestion.
• Coffee isn’t linked to indigestion.
• Coffee doesn’t usually cause stomach discomfort.
• Coffee can help you poop.
• Caffeine in coffee may lower liver cancer risk ⁷.

Everyone’s body is unique, so what works for one person may not work for another. It’s important to keep this in mind when it comes to coffee and its effects on our health.

Are coffee and tea bad for your teeth?

Yes and no.

A big study looked at 10 smaller studies about coffee and tea and their relation to tooth health. Out of those 10, 5 studies found that drinking coffee could be bad for your teeth. But, 4 other studies found that drinking coffee every day can actually help protect your teeth from getting damaged.

“The effect of coffee consumption on periodontal health was fragmented since coffee has complex components that may give either beneficial effects or negative impact on periodontal health.”

National Library of Medicine

Good news for coffee lovers! Cold brew coffee is less acidic than hot-brewed coffee, which makes it a better choice if you have sensitive teeth or a sensitive stomach.

Note: Consider trying low-acidity single-origin Sumatra coffee if you struggle with regular coffee’s acidity. Check out my top 10 favorite Sumatran coffee beans in my recent post here.

Is coffee good for you?

Coffee offers several health benefits, particularly anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, that can help protect against diseases and potentially promote longevity.

A recent umbrella study⁸ of multiple coffee-related studies showed that drinking at least 3 cups of coffee plays a major role in reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and strokes.

Is tea good for you?

Tea comes in various flavors and types, from black and white tea to fruit and herbal teas. While tea also contains caffeine, it’s often consumed for its health benefits.

According to a recent study⁹ that involved 500,000 tea drinkers in the UK, those who drank at least two cups of tea daily had a 9% to 13% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who did not drink tea. In addition, increased tea consumption was linked to the following:

• weight loss
• lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease
• lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease
• lower risk of death from stroke

Tea also has less caffeine compared to coffee. This can make it a better option for those who are sensitive to caffeine or have trouble sleeping after drinking coffee.

Tea also contains antioxidants, which can help protect the body against damage from free radicals and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

FAQ

Conclusion

In summary, while coffee and tea do not appear to have a significant impact on our digestive health, their effects on oral health are still uncertain. Coffee tends to have an acidity level of around 5 on the pH scale, whereas the acidity of tea varies depending on the type.

It’s worth noting that both coffee and tea have been shown to help lower the risk of death from heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Nonetheless, moderation is key when consuming these beverages.

1. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/ph-and-water#:~:text=oil%20or%20alcohol.-,pH%20is%20a%20measure%20of%20how%20acidic%2Fbasic%20water%20is,hydroxyl%20ions%20in%20the%20water.
2. Wei, Y., Hsueh, H., Wen, H., Chen, L., & Wang, C. (2019). The role of tea and coffee in the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Tzu-Chi Medical Journal, 31(3), 169-176. https://doi.org/10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_48_18
3. Boekema PJ, Samsom M, van Berge Henegouwen GP, Smout AJ. Coffee and gastrointestinal function: facts and fiction. A review. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1999;230:35-9. doi: 10.1080/003655299750025525. PMID: 10499460.
4. Wei, Y., Hsueh, H., Wen, H., Chen, L., & Wang, C. (2019). The role of tea and coffee in the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Tzu-Chi Medical Journal, 31(3), 169-176. https://doi.org/10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_48_18
5. Cao, H., Huang, X., Zhi, X., Han, C., Li, L., & Li, Y. (2019). Association between tea consumption and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A meta-analysis. Medicine, 98(4). https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000014173
6. Boekema PJ, Samsom M, van Berge Henegouwen GP, Smout AJ. Coffee and gastrointestinal function: facts and fiction. A review. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1999;230:35-9. doi: 10.1080/003655299750025525. PMID: 10499460.
7. Boekema PJ, Samsom M, van Berge Henegouwen GP, Smout AJ. Coffee and gastrointestinal function: facts and fiction. A review. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1999;230:35-9. doi: 10.1080/003655299750025525. PMID: 10499460.
8. Poole, R., Kennedy, O. J., Roderick, P., Fallowfield, J. A., Hayes, P. C., & Parkes, J. (2016). Coffee consumption and health: Umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes. The BMJ, 359. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j5024
9. Inoue-Choi M, Ramirez Y, Cornelis MC, et al. Tea Consumption and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in the UK Biobank: A Prospective Cohort Study. Ann. Intern. Med. August 30, 2022. DOI: 10.7326/M22-0041