A Guide to Theophylline in Tea
If you’ve felt more focused and stimulated after drinking tea, you’ve experienced caffeine’s effects. Caffeine is a common stimulant found in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Some people are sensitive to caffeine but can drink tea without issue, while others feel less jittery with tea compared to coffee or energy drinks.
What is Theophylline?
Theophylline is a methylxanthine formed primarily following the metabolization of caffeine. First discovered by Albert Kossel in the late 19th century, theophylline was initially used as a diuretic. A century later, it was found to have a bronchospasmolytic effect—it relaxes the bronchial muscles and relieves pressure and obstructions. For this reason, synthesized theophylline is often used to treat asthma, and this has been true for a number of years.
It may have an anti-inflammatory effect too, potentially negating some of the inflammatory effects of asthma, and it could provide other benefits. There are many known side effects and risk factors associated with the use of theophylline, but these apply to the medication, which is consumed in far greater doses than found in tea.
How is Theophylline Produced?
Black tea contains an estimated 0.2 to 0.4% theophylline by dry weight. Pharmaceutical companies must therefore import vast quantities of tea to synthesize theophylline medication.
Most of the theophylline you consume is created via a metabolic process. Caffeine follows certain metabolic pathways that remove methyl groups, creating either theophylline or the aforementioned theobromine.
Some tea producers will actively avoid creating a product with high levels of caffeine and theophylline, either to offer a specific balance of flavors or to create a less stimulating tea. Studies also suggest that introducing certain types of bacteria during the fermentation of dark tea could increase/reduce the levels of theophylline.
How Much Theophylline is in Tea?
Tea contains very little theophylline, with an average concentration of about 1mg per ounce of prepared tea. Estimates suggest that the average American consumes just 0.14mg of this compound every day from tea. To put that into perspective, the recommended dose for theophylline medication begins at 300mg per day.
Which Tea Contains the Most Theophylline?
There is more theophylline in black tea than in green tea and other types of tea, but this alkaloid isn’t exclusive to Camellia sinensis. In fact, it’s found in small quantities in everything from cacao to coffee. It’s in yerba mate too, a high-caffeine drink consumed throughout South America. A 2022 study on theophylline concentrations found that hibiscus tea had the highest levels of all the 11 teas studied, including green tea.
What Does the Name Theophylline Mean?
As with many medicines and compounds, theophylline comes to us from Greek. The word “thea” or θεια is the feminine form of “god” and was the genus name given to the tea plant. “Phylline” comes from φύλλων, which simply means “leaf”.
Summary
Theophylline is a useful but controversial substance. It offers many benefits, but its prolonged and chronic use raises concerns, so it’s not as commonly used as before. In tea, the concentration is so low that it’s unlikely to cause significant side effects. Consequently, it’s also unlikely to provide many—if any—benefits.
Many people report different effects from drinking tea compared to coffee and caffeinated soft drinks. This difference might stem from the lower caffeine content in tea compared to coffee or energy drinks. Additional alkaloids, such as theophylline and more likely theobromine, may influence caffeine and balance its effects.
The combination of these factors could also play a role. Regardless, the tiny amount of theophylline in tea should not be a major factor in deciding whether to drink it.
Alex Wolfgram
