Understanding Why I Am So Shaky After Drinking Tea

October 15, 2025 •

5 min read

While tea is often seen as a calming beverage, it contains natural stimulants that can trigger an exaggerated response in some people. This reaction, often described as feeling shaky or jittery, is more common than you might think and can stem from various dietary and biological factors.

Quick Summary

Several factors can cause tremors or shakiness after drinking tea, including caffeine sensitivity, the stimulant theophylline, dehydration, or low blood sugar. The L-theanine in tea typically helps temper caffeine's effects, but individual body chemistry can cause an adverse reaction.

Key Points

Caffeine Sensitivity: Your body might be extra sensitive to caffeine, a common trigger for jitters and tremors, even in the lower doses found in tea.
Empty Stomach: Drinking tea on an empty stomach speeds up caffeine absorption, causing a more intense and immediate stimulating effect.
Role of L-theanine: While L-theanine in tea has a calming effect, it doesn't always completely counteract the jitter-inducing properties of caffeine, especially in sensitive individuals.
Consider Theophylline: Tea also contains theophylline, another stimulant that, when combined with caffeine, can intensify the effects on your nervous system.
Hydration and Blood Sugar: Dehydration from tea's diuretic effect or a blood sugar crash from sweetened tea can cause or worsen shakiness and weakness.
Manage with Lifestyle: To mitigate symptoms, try drinking decaf or herbal tea, staying hydrated, eating a balanced snack with your tea, and practicing relaxation techniques.

The Science Behind the Shakes

To understand why you might feel shaky after drinking tea, it's crucial to examine the compounds present in the beverage and how they interact with your body. For many, the root cause lies in caffeine and other related stimulants, as well as an individual's unique sensitivity.

Caffeine and the Nervous System

Caffeine is a potent central nervous system stimulant that can increase alertness and boost energy levels. It works by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleepiness. For individuals with a higher sensitivity to caffeine, even the lower levels found in tea can trigger an over-stimulated nervous system, leading to physical symptoms like tremors, a rapid heart rate, and restlessness. This can be influenced by genetic factors, such as a variant of the ADORA2A gene, which affects how the brain's adenosine receptors function.

L-theanine's Counteracting Role

Interestingly, tea also contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which has a calming effect and promotes a state of relaxed focus. L-theanine is believed to buffer the jittery side effects of caffeine, which is why tea often provides a smoother, more sustained energy boost compared to coffee. However, for those with high sensitivity, the stimulant effects can still overpower the calming benefits of L-theanine.

Theophylline: A Lesser-Known Stimulant

In addition to caffeine, tea contains another stimulating compound called theophylline. Found in high concentrations in some teas, theophylline is a bronchodilator and muscle relaxant, but it can also increase heart rate and cause restlessness. In sensitive individuals, the combined effect of caffeine and theophylline can amplify the overall stimulating impact, leading to a more pronounced shaky feeling.

Other Dietary and Lifestyle Triggers

Beyond the chemical composition of the tea itself, several other factors can contribute to feeling shaky. These can often be controlled by making simple changes to your diet and habits.

Drinking Tea on an Empty Stomach

Consuming tea on an empty stomach can cause your body to absorb caffeine more quickly, leading to a rapid spike in stimulation. This faster absorption can make the jittery effects more intense. Furthermore, without food to buffer the brew, some people may experience stomach irritation from the tannins in the tea, which can contribute to overall discomfort.

Dehydration and its Effects

Caffeine acts as a mild diuretic, meaning it can increase urine production and potentially lead to dehydration if you're not adequately replenishing fluids. Dehydration itself can cause lightheadedness, weakness, and shakiness. This effect is most significant in those who are not regular tea drinkers or who consume large quantities without drinking enough water.

Low Blood Sugar (Reactive Hypoglycemia)

For some, drinking tea with added sugar or sweeteners can cause a temporary spike and then a rapid drop in blood sugar levels, a condition known as reactive hypoglycemia. The rapid blood sugar crash can trigger symptoms like dizziness, weakness, and shakiness, mimicking the effects of too much caffeine.

Pre-existing Anxiety or Stress

Caffeine can heighten the body's 'fight or flight' response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline. If you are already experiencing high levels of stress or anxiety, the added stimulation from tea can exacerbate these feelings, leading to intensified shaky hands or nervousness.

Different Teas, Different Effects: A Comparison

Not all tea is created equal. The type of tea you drink, its caffeine content, and the presence of other compounds like L-theanine and tannins vary significantly. The table below compares common types of tea.


Tea Type	Caffeine Content	Key Components	Potential for Shakiness
Black Tea	High (50-75mg/cup)	High caffeine and tannins, some L-theanine	High
Green Tea	Medium (30-50mg/cup)	Medium caffeine, high L-theanine	Medium, often smoother
Matcha	High (35mg/g)	High caffeine and L-theanine	Medium, smooth energy
White Tea	Low (15-30mg/cup)	Lower caffeine, moderate L-theanine	Low
Herbal Tea	None	No caffeine, specific herbal compounds	Minimal/None

How to Reduce the Shaky Feeling

If you find yourself feeling shaky after your cup of tea, several strategies can help manage or prevent the symptoms.

Reduce Caffeine Intake

The most direct approach is to reduce your caffeine intake. You can do this by switching to teas with lower caffeine content, such as white tea, or by opting for decaf options. Herbal teas, like chamomile, peppermint, or rooibos, are naturally caffeine-free and excellent alternatives.

Stay Hydrated

For every cup of caffeinated tea, drink an equal amount of water. Staying well-hydrated helps your body flush out the caffeine more efficiently and counters its mild diuretic effect, reducing the risk of dehydration-induced shakiness.

Combine Tea with Food

Avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach. Eating a balanced meal or a snack containing protein and fiber slows down the absorption of caffeine, providing a more gradual and less intense energizing effect.

Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation

Stress and anxiety can magnify the effects of caffeine. If you feel jitters coming on, try deep breathing exercises, a short walk, or meditation to help calm your nervous system and reduce the body's 'fight or flight' response.

Adjust Your Brewing Method

Brewing tea for a shorter time or using cooler water can reduce the amount of caffeine extracted from the leaves. This is especially useful for green and black teas, which have higher caffeine content.

When to See a Doctor

While tea-induced shakiness is typically not a cause for serious concern, it's wise to consult a healthcare professional if:

The shakiness is severe or significantly disrupts your daily life.
You experience a racing or irregular heartbeat.
Symptoms persist even after you've reduced or eliminated your tea consumption.
You are taking medication, as certain drugs can interact with caffeine and theophylline, increasing side effects.

Conclusion: Finding Your Tea Balance

Feeling shaky after drinking tea is often a sign of caffeine sensitivity or other manageable dietary habits. By understanding the chemical makeup of tea, recognizing your body's unique response, and implementing simple lifestyle adjustments, you can regain control and continue to enjoy your favorite brew without the unwanted side effects. Finding the right balance may involve switching tea types, staying hydrated, and being mindful of when and how you consume it.

For more detailed information on caffeine's effects on the body, consult reliable sources like the Mayo Clinic's guidance on caffeine intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, black tea has one of the highest caffeine contents among true teas. If you are sensitive to caffeine, drinking black tea can cause a shaky, jittery feeling and a rapid heart rate.

While green tea contains L-theanine, which promotes a calm focus, it still has a significant amount of caffeine. For those with caffeine sensitivity, this can still be enough to cause shakiness, especially if consumed on an empty stomach.

Tea often contains less caffeine than coffee and includes the amino acid L-theanine, which helps create a smoother, less jittery energy boost. Coffee lacks L-theanine, so its stimulating effects can be more abrupt and intense, leading to more pronounced shakiness for many people.

Yes, caffeine can act as a diuretic, increasing urination and potentially leading to dehydration. Dehydration can cause symptoms like lightheadedness, weakness, and shakiness. Drinking plenty of water alongside your tea can help.

Tannins in tea can inhibit the absorption of certain nutrients, like iron and B1 (thiamine). A deficiency in thiamine can sometimes manifest as anxiety and nervous tension, which could contribute to a shaky feeling.

To stop feeling shaky, you can try switching to a decaf or herbal tea, drinking plenty of water, eating a meal or snack with your tea to slow absorption, or practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing.

This is unusual but possible, as coffee generally has more caffeine. However, factors like brewing methods, the specific type of tea, and individual genetic differences in how you metabolize caffeine can all affect your sensitivity.