Understanding the Link: Can Tannins in Tea Cause Headaches?

October 15, 2025 •

4 min read

Though tea is celebrated for its health benefits, certain compounds can trigger adverse effects in sensitive individuals. A common question is whether the astringent polyphenols known as tannins in tea cause headaches, and the answer is complex, involving individual sensitivity and other factors like caffeine and histamines.

Quick Summary

This guide examines whether tannins in tea are a headache trigger, explores contributing factors like caffeine content and histamine, and offers strategies to mitigate symptoms for sensitive individuals.

Key Points

Tannin sensitivity: Tannins in tea can cause headaches for some people, but this is linked to individual sensitivity rather than a universal effect.
Caffeine withdrawal: A more common cause of tea-related headaches is caffeine withdrawal, which occurs when regular consumption is reduced or stopped abruptly.
Histamine reactions: Fermented teas, like black tea, can contain histamines that trigger headaches in individuals with a histamine intolerance.
Steeping time and temperature: To reduce tannin content, steep your tea for a shorter time or use a lower water temperature.
Hydration is key: Dehydration can cause headaches; ensure you drink plenty of water alongside caffeinated beverages.
Digestive irritation: Drinking strong tea on an empty stomach can lead to nausea and stomach upset in sensitive individuals, potentially contributing to headaches.
Moderation and consistency: Maintaining a moderate and consistent intake of tea can help prevent headaches caused by fluctuations in caffeine or other compounds.

Do Tannins Directly Cause Headaches?

For most people, the tannins in tea are a beneficial antioxidant and a source of the beverage's characteristic color and flavor. However, for a smaller subset of individuals, these natural compounds can cause headaches or exacerbate existing ones. The link is not universal or definitively proven in large-scale studies but is primarily associated with individual sensitivities.

One theory suggests that tannins might trigger headaches by affecting serotonin levels. Tannins are thought to prompt the body to release serotonin, and while a complex relationship exists between serotonin and migraines, elevated levels can sometimes act as a trigger. Another hypothesis, primarily linked to tannins in wine, suggests they may trigger headaches by interfering with the body's ability to detoxify other compounds, like phenols, which can be a migraine trigger.

Furthermore, some evidence suggests that tannins can constrict blood vessels, which can also influence blood flow to the brain and contribute to headaches. This effect may be magnified when combined with other vasoconstrictive agents, such as caffeine, also present in tea.

The Role of Other Tea Components

While tannins might be a factor for some, it's crucial to examine other tea components that are more widely recognized as headache triggers. The relationship between tea and headaches is multifactorial, and attributing the cause solely to tannins might overlook more common culprits.

Caffeine: A Common Culprit

Caffeine is a well-established trigger for headaches, especially in cases of withdrawal or overconsumption.

Caffeine Withdrawal: People who regularly consume caffeine become dependent on its vasoconstrictive effect, which constricts blood vessels in the brain. If consumption is suddenly stopped, these blood vessels expand, increasing blood flow and causing a throbbing withdrawal headache. Weekend or holiday headaches are a classic example of this, as a person's caffeine intake changes from their weekday routine.
Overconsumption: Conversely, having too much caffeine can also trigger a migraine attack in some individuals. The key is often consistency and moderation, as individual tolerance varies.

Histamines and Fermented Teas

Some teas, particularly fermented ones like black tea, can contain histamines. For individuals with histamine intolerance, consuming these teas can trigger various symptoms, including headaches, hives, and nasal congestion. Histamine intolerance is a condition where the body has difficulty breaking down histamine, leading to an excess that causes a range of allergy-like symptoms.

Digestive Irritation

Consuming strong tea on an empty stomach can also be a cause of nausea and stomach irritation for sensitive individuals due to the tannins. While not a direct cause of headaches, this discomfort could be part of a larger symptomatic picture for someone who is sensitive to tea's components. Drinking tea with food or adding milk can help mitigate this effect, as proteins and carbohydrates bind to tannins.

Comparison of Tannin Content in Teas

Not all teas contain the same concentration of tannins. The level varies significantly based on the type of tea and its processing method. Steeping time and water temperature also play a role.


Tea Type	Processing	Tannin Concentration	Caffeine Level	Potential Headache Risk
Black Tea	Oxidized/Fermented	High	High	Moderate to High (for sensitive individuals)
Green Tea	Steamed	Lower	Moderate	Low to Moderate (for sensitive individuals)
Oolong Tea	Partially Oxidized	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate (for sensitive individuals)
White Tea	Minimal Oxidation	Low	Low to Moderate	Low (for sensitive individuals)
Herbal Tea	Not from Camellia sinensis	Usually None	Usually None	Very Low

How to Manage Tea-Related Headaches

If you suspect that your tea consumption is linked to headaches, here are some actionable steps you can take:

Monitor Your Intake: Keep a detailed food diary to track your tea consumption (type, strength, and amount) and when headaches occur. This can help pinpoint if and what kind of tea is a trigger for you.
Reduce Tannin Content: Try steeping your tea for a shorter amount of time, or use a lower water temperature. Consider switching from high-tannin black tea to a lower-tannin option like white or green tea. Adding milk or having a snack with your tea can also bind tannins and reduce their impact.
Address Caffeine: If you consume caffeinated tea regularly, reduce your intake slowly instead of quitting cold turkey to avoid withdrawal headaches. A gradual reduction, such as mixing regular with decaffeinated tea, is less likely to shock your system. You can also explore caffeine-free herbal teas as an alternative.
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration is a major cause of headaches, and the diuretic effect of caffeine in tea can contribute to it. Make sure you are drinking plenty of plain water throughout the day, especially if you consume caffeinated beverages.
Consider Histamine Sensitivity: If you notice headaches after consuming fermented teas, you may have a histamine intolerance. A healthcare provider can help you explore this possibility and recommend an appropriate course of action.

When to Seek Medical Advice

While tea-related headaches are often manageable with dietary adjustments, severe or persistent headaches should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. They can help rule out other potential causes and provide a personalized treatment plan.

Conclusion

To answer the question, "Can tannins in tea cause headaches?"—yes, for some sensitive individuals, they can. However, the link is not as strong as the one between headaches and caffeine withdrawal or overconsumption. Tannins in tea can contribute to digestive irritation and, in some cases, may influence serotonin levels or constrict blood vessels, particularly when combined with caffeine. For most people, moderate consumption of tea does not pose a headache risk. By being mindful of your individual sensitivities, adjusting your steeping methods, and monitoring your caffeine intake, you can likely continue to enjoy tea without the headache. As always, a consistent approach is key to managing triggers and promoting overall well-being.

For more information on migraine triggers and management, visit The Migraine Trust at https://migrainetrust.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, black tea can cause headaches in some individuals. This is because it has a higher concentration of both tannins and caffeine than other types of tea. It may also contain histamines, which can be a trigger for those with a histamine intolerance.

For many, the culprit is the caffeine, especially if they are experiencing withdrawal symptoms or have consumed too much. However, tannins can trigger headaches in some people with a specific sensitivity. Histamine content in fermented teas is another potential factor.

To reduce the amount of tannins, you can steep your tea for less time or use a lower water temperature. Adding milk can also help, as proteins bind to the tannins, minimizing their effect.

This is a classic sign of a caffeine withdrawal headache. If you typically drink tea or coffee during the week and reduce your intake on weekends, the sudden drop in caffeine can cause blood vessels in the brain to expand, leading to a throbbing headache.

Herbal teas generally do not contain tannins or caffeine and are less likely to cause headaches. However, some people might be sensitive to specific herbs. For example, peppermint or ginger tea is often used to relieve headaches, but individual responses vary.

Yes, green tea typically contains a lower concentration of tannins compared to black tea. This is because of the minimal oxidation process used in its production.

Not necessarily. If you suspect tea is the cause, try adjusting your intake by changing the type of tea, reducing steeping time, or ensuring you stay well-hydrated. If headaches persist, consult a healthcare professional to identify the exact trigger.