Muscle pain from Earl Grey tea

[mikeswift]

Muscle pain from Earl Grey tea

November 26, 2007


There is one case report of a man who developed significant muscle pain and cramping in reaction to Earl Grey tea (The Lancet, April 27, 2002). We also have heard from a few readers who had similar problems.

Earl Grey tea is flavored with oil from the citrus fruit bergamot. This oil contains bergapten, a natural compound that can block the flow of potassium in and out of cells. Muscle cells rely on potassium flow, so that might explain the connection. Most people do not seem to suffer this kind of reaction.

 

[Spiderman]

Interesting mike...I don't like tea anyway unless it's sweet tea. So I'm alright, was this the Earl Gray tea they've been advertising on TV or the real stuff from england!

 

[vertigorocks]

This is good to know because i love tea and do have earl grey once in a while, not anymore though!

 

[mikeswift]

I stick to Green Tea since it's loaded with antioxidants and other beneficial things

 

[saudades]

Seems like a pretty strange reaction to tea.

 

[vertigorocks]

Im all about green tea baby LOL

 

[mikeswift]

we have an assortment of teas here at work in the kitchen and I just glanced at the boxes and the Earl Grey says in big letters "flavored with natural bergamot." I guess you never know what's going to get you!