Milk Tea (Chai): Get to Know It's Benefits (and Side Effects)

Are you fan of drinking chai? Then, you must know about these benefits and side effects of milk tea.

By Newsmeter Network Published on 23 Jan 2021 7:07 AM GMT

In a country like India, Milk tea or Chai is not just a beverage, but a real 'emotion'! Chai prepared with milk and tea leaves, laced with a generous dose of ginger, cardamom, and other spices, is the perfect way to kickstart a day. Whether it is a homemade chai or a cutting chai at your local tea-seller, sipping into this flavorsome drink can uplift even the dullest of moods!

However, many health experts and dieticians opine that adding milk to tea can dilute the goodness of the drink and even lead to many side effects like gastric problems. While it is partly true, milk tea is not altogether bad for you. When prepared it in the right way, milk tea does offer some health benefits which cannot be ignored!

Read along to find out more!

3 Major Benefits of Drinking Milk Tea:

Let us look into some of the key health benefits of drinking tea with milk daily:

1. Good Source of Calcium:

Calcium is a key mineral required to build strong bones and skeletal system. Milk is a rich source of absorbable calcium which improves bone density and reduces chances of bones fractures and breakages. That's not all! Milk also contains Vitamin D, which supports better absorption of calcium by the body, which may play a key role in preventing bone related problems like arthiritis, osteoporosis etc.

2. Enhances Your Moods:

Milk tea works as an anti-depressant that drives your bad moods away! Milk contains whey protein that is known to improve your memory and enhance your mood. Vitamin D present in milk can increase the production of serotonin, a hormone that stabilizes our moods. Also, milk tea is usually prepared with many aromatic spices like ginger, cardamon etc. which can relax our body and mind.

3. Improves Skin Health:

Milk tea, when prepared with low-fat milk can do good for your skin! The essential fats present in milk tea can nourish your skin and give it a healthy glow. Milk tea also contains good amount of antioxidants and polyphenols which protect your skin from free radical damage and prevent the formation of aging signs like wrinkles, fine lines etc.

Also Read: Is Cold Water Good For Health

How to Make Milk Tea?

Milk tea is a delicious drink that can be easily prepared at home. Given below is a popular recipe of milk tea followed by millions of people in India:

Ingredients:

Milk – 1 Cup
Tea Powder – 2 tbsp
Water – ¼ Cup
Sugar – 1-2 tbsp (depends on taste)
Tea Spice Mix or Chai Masala Powder – 1 tbsp

NOTE: If you do not have tea spice mix, use a powder made with grounded cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, pepper and cloves.Also, if you are using chai masala, then you can skip fresh spices and ginger.

Method:

In a vessel, add ¼ cup water, tea powder and sugar
Bring it to a boil
Now add milk and mix well
Add spice mix and allow it to boil for 1-2 minutes
Strain the tea leaves using a tea mesh
Enjoy your Indian masala milk chai, piping hot!

Also Read: Benefits Of Bathing Warm Water

Side Effects of Consuming Too Much Milk Tea:

Consuming milk tea in excess can lead to many health complications, which outweigh the benefits. Here are some of the possible side effects of drinking too much milk tea regularly:

Gastric Problems: Milk tea is made with dairy which can cause stomach problems like indigestion, gas, bloating etc. Caffiene present in tea can dehydrate your body and lead to constipation.
Insomnia: As with any caffeine based drink, milk tea can give you sleeplessness when had in excess. Milk and sugar present in this beverage can worsen this condition.
Anxiety: Overdose of milk tea can cause a chemical imbalance in the brain and lead to anxiety, depression and panic attacks.
Obesity: Milk tea contains a significant amount of fats and sugar which may make you gain weight.
Acne: Proteins and fats present in milk can trigger hormonal production in the body leading to acne and pimples.

Other possible side effects

> Heart Burn
> Acidity
> Nausea
> Vomiting
> Loss of Appetite
> Dizziness
> Restlessness
> Headaches
> Complications in Pregnancy
> Nutritional Deficiencies

Those are some of the best benefits and side effects of consuming milk tea. When consumed in moderation, milk chai works like a great body and mind relaxant. So, how do you prefer your tea? With milk or without?

FAQs:

1. How many cups of milk tea should you drink a day?

There are no specific guidelines as such which specify the maximum daily dosage of tea. However, considering the side effects, you can restrict the quantity to 2-3 cups a day. Incase you experience any discomfort in your stomach, then cut down the number to 1-2 cups. The quantity totally depends on how your body responds to the beverage.

Also Read: Red Wine Side Effects

2. Is it okay to drink milk tea before sleeping?

Although warm drinks can make you sleep faster, milk tea might not be the best drink to have before hitting the bed. Caffeine present in tea can affect your overall sleep quality and make you wake up frequently. You can have milk tea 2-3 hours before sleeping to minimize the side effects.

3. Is it okay to drink milk tea on empty stomach?

Drinking milk tea on an empty stomach can give you acidity and heartburn. The compounds present in milk and tea can disrupt the normal metabolic activities of your body and put you in a state of discomfort. Also, drinking milk tea early in the morning may also reduce the body's capacity to absorb nutrients.

4.What can be done to gradually decrease the habit of drinking milk tea?

If you feel that you are turning into a chai-addict, then there are many ways to get out of this habit. Try to find an alternate healthy drink to have instead of chai. You can try smoothies, fruit juices or herbal teas which do not contain milk. Drinking a lot of water throughout the day can also reduce your cravings for tea.