Why does Starbucks matcha latte make people feel sick? Fans claim that booze causes bloating and cramps on an empty stomach

It’s being hailed as a healthy alternative to coffee, giving you a daily dose of caffeine but also pumping your body full of antioxidants — and according to a recent study, it could even help treat depression.

Matcha is a type of green tea that has been ground into a fine powder, usually whisked in water before adding to steamed milk to make lattes – but while it is said to be good for gut health, some people claim it causes them serious get stomach ache.

Fitness influencer Maeve Madden, who lives between Ireland and Dubai, posted a video to TikTok showing herself in agonizing pain after claiming she drank an Iced Matcha Latte with oat milk from Starbucks.

It comes as other TikTokers claim Starbucks’ Matcha products cause stomach problems, while some people say Matcha products from other stores give them cramps.

Speaking to her followers, the fitness instructor, who runs the Queens Don’t Quit program, said she often drinks Matcha lattes and has never had this problem before – leaving her confident that Starbucks’ offering is causing problems.

Although people speculated that the American coffee chain might put some kind of additive in their Matcha products, Starbucks has insisted that this is not the case.

A Starbucks spokesperson told FEMAIL: ‘We serve all our Matcha Green Tea Lattes in the UK with 100% green tea and no added sugar to ensure every cup is of the highest quality.

‘All nutritional information is readily available in stores on our menu boards and via our mobile app and website, making it easier for our customers to make informed choices.’

In the clip, Maeve is doubled over in bed and says, “Oh my God, I’m in so much pain.”

She then explains, “This morning I ate an oat milk Iced Matcha Latte from Starbucks on an empty stomach.

“I mean, if it’s causing that much pain, there should be a warning sign.”

The influencer then jokes: ‘I wanted to go to the hospital, but I’m afraid the doctor would say: ‘what happened?’ I’ll say, “I had an oat milk Iced Matcha Latte,” making a fool of myself.

Maeve also posted the clip to Instagram, where she has 366,000 followers, and clarified in the caption that drinking hot water with lemon and ginger finally settled her stomach.

However, she added that she will not order the drink at Starbucks again, and spoke to other people who left comments on her video to say that they had had stomach aches from Starbucks drinks in the past.

One person said he had been in the same situation after drinking the coffee chain’s Matcha drink and said: ‘Been there done that!!! Not good.’

Another said that they have a weak stomach and often drink matcha lattes without any problems, to which Maeve replied: ‘It was definitely the Starbucks Matcha. I love a Matcha latte and this has never happened before.”

Daisy, a TikTok user from the US, revealed that she ditched her Starbucks matcha latte after trying it for the first time because it made her feel bloated

Another TikTok user claimed she felt ‘nauseated’ and ‘wired’ after drinking a matcha latte from Starbucks

Other TikTok users based in the US have taken note of the issues they’ve had with their Starbucks Matcha Lattes.

A content creator named Gonca joked on the video platform about feeling “nauseous” after drinking an over-strength Matcha latte.

She films herself sipping from a straw and shaking the ice into the plastic cup, and writes over the clip: ‘POV: Your Starbucks barista didn’t add enough water and coconut milk to your Matcha green tea, so now you’re nervous and nauseous’.

She further captioned the video, “There is such a thing as too much green tea, especially on an empty stomach.”

Elsewhere, TikTok user Daisy filmed herself tasting a Starbucks matcha latte for the first time – which she promptly throws in the trash.

After trying the coffee alternative for the first time, she revealed that it left her feeling bloated within minutes.

Similarly, a 2020 Reddit thread posted by an American user asked others what was in the Starbucks Matcha Latte after the person claimed he got “intense stomach cramps” from the Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte.

What is Matcha?

Matcha tea – made from powdered tea leaves – has been consumed for hundreds of years in Japan, where it formed a backbone of tea ceremonies.

It has already been linked to a host of health benefits, including cancer prevention, weight loss and improved heart health.

Earlier this year, a Harvard University longevity expert even wrote that it helped him age an entire decade.

There was also evidence that it helped improve mental performance and reduce symptoms of depression.

The person said they thought the product tasted “great” but claimed they were forced to stop ordering it.

“I’ve tried other matcha lattes from different places in the past and had no problems, but now I’m always very hesitant,” they wrote.

However, other people have complained that they have had stomach problems after drinking Matcha products from other outlets, suggesting that it is not just the Starbucks product that is causing problems.

According to professional plant-based chef Lisa Marley, the problem may lie with Matcha’s ingredient in general, rather than the offerings of a particular coffee chain.

First, Lisa noticed the high caffeine content in the powder.

‘Matcha tea contains a significant amount of caffeine, which can stimulate the production of stomach acid. Drinking it on an empty stomach can lead to increased acid production, which can cause stomach irritation or acid reflux,” she explained.

The private chef, who is also a certified nutritionist, added that the product also contains a substance called tannins, which occur naturally in many plants (including black tea).

She explained: ‘Tannins can have an astringent effect on the stomach lining, which can lead to stomach pain or discomfort, especially if consumed in large quantities on an empty stomach.’

Third, Lisa explained that a sensitivity to Matcha can also be explained by an intolerance, which can cause digestive problems, especially if you consume it before eating anything.

She advised: ‘To prevent stomach ache, it is recommended to consume Matcha tea with food or after a light meal.

‘Additionally, if you experience persistent stomach discomfort after consuming Matcha tea, it is advisable to consult a doctor for further examination.’