Does Lipton Green Tea Cause Bowel Movements?

Drinking Lipton green tea can help to cause bowel movements. When you brew tea by steeping or dipping Lipton green tea bags in hot water, you release the natural caffeine found in the tea leaves into the hot water 13. Caffeine is a natural laxative and helps alleviate constipation; however, too much of it induces diarrhea. Only use tea as a natural laxative if you have a doctor's approval.

Caffeine Content

The average amount of caffeine per Lipton green tea bag is 35 milligrams, based on the average brew time of 60 to 90 seconds. However, the longer you brew tea, the higher the caffeine level. This means the actual amount of caffeine can be above 35 milligrams per cup, but determining an exact amount is impossible without sophisticated equipment.

Hydration

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The amount of water in each cup of Lipton green tea also influences bowel movements. Research appearing in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" states that even mild dehydration causes stool to harden, causing constipation 4. Each cup of Lipton green tea has around 6 ounces of water for strong tea or 8 ounces of water for a more mild green tea flavor. The water in tea counts toward your hydration total.

Caffeine and Excretion

According to MedlinePlus.com, caffeine acts as a stimulant and diuretic 3. This can be both beneficial and problematic when ingesting Lipton green tea. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system. This stimulation is felt globally across all areas of the body, including the bowels. The stool gathers quickly in the colon and results in quicker defecation. The stimulating effect is also present for the urinary system. To compensate, your body excretes more urine than normal. This can lead to dehydration if you don't drink enough water.

Considerations

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Over time, your body will gain a tolerance to Lipton green tea if you consume it every day. If you use Lipton green tea as a natural laxative, limit your use only to days when you are constipated. Contact your doctor prior to using Lipton green tea as a laxative if you are also taking medication; the caffeine interacts with many different drugs.