tea contains some nicotine, but the content is extremely low. in addition, it is absorbed very slowly and is not fully released into the liquid tea.
tea is a globally popular beverage, but you might be surprised to learn that it contains nicotine.
nicotine is an addictive substance that occurs naturally in certain plants, such as tobacco. potatoes, tomatoes, and tea also contain trace elements.
although found in tea, it is absorbed differently from nicotine in cigarettes and poses little risk to your health.
however, you might want to know how secure it is.
this article reviews the nicotine in tea, including how it is absorbed and whether it affects your health.
tea contains trace amounts of nicotine
tea, along with some other fruits and vegetables, such as potatoes and tomatoes, contains nicotine—but very little (1).
studies have shown that black, green, and oolong teas, including instant varieties, may contain up to 0.7 mcg of nicotine per 1/2 tablespoon (1 g) dry weight (1, 2).
however, this is a very small amount, because 0.7 micrograms are equivalent to 0.000007 grams.
in addition, one study showed that brewing tea for 5 minutes released only about half of the nicotine from dry tea into the beverage (3).
summary: fresh, dried, and instant teas contain trace amounts of nicotine. however, studies have shown that only 50% of this nicotine is released into liquid tea during brewing.
nicotine in tea is absorbed differently
nicotine in tea is absorbed differently from nicotine in cigarettes and other inhaled tobacco products, so it is less harmful and addictive.
the nicotine in liquid tea is broken down through the digestive tract. this process can last for several hours, depending on how much you drink, as it takes about 45 minutes for 1 cup (240 ml) of fluid to drain from the stomach to the small intestine (4).
at the same time, nicotine in inhaled tobacco products such as cigarettes is absorbed through the lungs. this pathway delivers nicotine to your brain almost immediately— within 10-20 seconds of a cigarette (5).
since trace amounts of nicotine in tea are present and absorbed through digestion, it is thought that nicotine in tea does not produce the same direct addictive effect as nicotine inhaled into the lungs.
summary: small amounts of nicotine in tea are absorbed through the digestive tract, a process that can take a long time — and the nicotine in cigarettes can affect your brain almost immediately.
the nicotine in tea is not addictive
due to its extremely low content and slow absorption rate, the nicotine in tea is not addictive.
it does not cause cravings for nicotine or trigger nicotine addiction, nor does it cause any side effects. therefore, tea is safe for people trying to quit smoking.
in fact, emerging research in rats suggests that antioxidants in green tea may help treat nicotine toxicity, i.e., cellular damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver caused by excessive intake of nicotine. （6, 7, 8, 9）。
however, as this study progresses, it is unclear whether green tea will have the same effect on humans.
summary: small amounts of nicotine in tea have no side effects and do not cause or worsen nicotine addiction.
long story short
tea contains some nicotine, but the content is extremely low. in addition, it is absorbed very slowly and is not fully released into the liquid tea.
you can rest assured that trace amounts of nicotine in tea will not cause harm or addiction.
therefore, drinking tea is completely safe – whether you're restricting the use of nicotine products or trying to quit them altogether.