9 Captivating Health Benefits of Chai

Overview

Are you even an Indian if you don’t drink hot tea during the summer? In India, every nook and corner of the street has a tea shop. We drink hot tea, as it is a good form of refreshment.

The traditional tea ingredients are tea dust powder, water, sugar and milk. The tea dust powder will be boiled in water, and the tea decoction will be added to hot milk. Sugar is usually added, and some prefer jaggery or palm jaggery.

Other forms of tea include black tea, ginger tea, and cardamom tea. A popular tea is Assam tea, which includes spices like peppercorns, cloves, fennel seeds, cinnamon, ginger and black tea.

However, everyone will get the question of whether tea is good for health. The answer is yes. You can find all unhealthy versions of tea. But tea is good for your health. The amazing aroma it releases while the tea is boiling makes it difficult for everyone to say no.

Some of the benefits of chai include aiding digestion, lowering blood glucose levels (if consumed without sugar or sweeteners) and promoting cardiovascular health.

Chai’s health benefits

In India, tea is popularly called as chai, and in other countries like the US, it is called as chai tea.

The traditional way of preparing chai was by boiling milk with water and loose black tea and spices. The spices and loose black tea will be wrapped in a cloth for the extract to fully get into the milk.

The spices like cardamom and ginger root create warmth in the body and have various health benefits like cleansing, detoxing and killing bacteria.

Blood pressure

Tea contains compounds called catechins that help relax and smooth the muscles that line the blood vessels. This helps to lower the blood pressure.

Catechins are found in both green and black teas, and research states that black tea helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure or controls your blood pressure levels.

Heart health

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute stated in their research that tea consumption reduces heart diseases like heart failure. Black tea contains cardio-protective benefits and also reduces bad cholesterol levels.

Tea also improves blood flow and blood vessel functions. Additionally, it contains antioxidants and flavonoids that reduce inflammation, prevent inflammation and aid your cholesterol levels.

Digestion

Chai reduces nausea and improves the digestion process. After consuming foods that are rich in butter, oil, and other rich foods, tea is mandatory for many people as it helps in digestion and also prevents other issues in the digestive tract.

Studies also suggest that tea helps relieve digestive problems and constipation by stimulating colon muscles.

Spices added to tea like ginger, cardamom and peppercorns are an added advantage that helps stimulate digestion and prevents issues related to the digestive system.

Immune system

Chai helps build immunity as it contains antioxidants like catechins. These antioxidants protect the body from chronic diseases, improve cell health and reduce inflammation.

The spices used in tea, like cinnamon, cardamom and ginger, contribute to a healthy gut and effectively fight against viruses and bacteria that lead to infections.

Helps your mental well–being

After a stressful day, imagine sipping on a hot cup of tea. The science behind feeling refreshed after consuming a cup of tea is due to the presence of an amino acid called L-theanine, which is specifically found in black tea. Research suggests that the amino acid can help you relax by reducing stress levels.

The amino acid L-theanine has shown positive alter in the brain waves, which has been shown to enhance mood, memory and focus. The amino acid tends to release caffeine in a slow and controlled manner instead of immediately hitting you after a cup.

Additionally, the amino acid increases alertness and focus of the brain. A study conducted reported that tea helps reduce cognitive decline and prevents other conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Cleanses your oral microbiome

Tea contains ingredients like ginger, cardamom and other spices that help improve the oral microbiome. Chai consumption also helps reduce inflammation, which reduces bad odour.

It is also good for your teeth. Black tea contains that prevents the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth and prevents the build-up of plaque.

The other spices added to tea add up its benefits. Spices like ginger and cardamom contain antifungal properties that kill and prevent the growth of harmful oral pathogens. Overall, tea consumption improves dental well-being and cleanses your oral microbiome.

Helps your respiratory health

Chai can be good for your respiratory health. When you have a blocked nose or soar throat, a hot cup of tea is everything you will need. It helps clear mucus congestion in the respiratory tract and lungs, especially for people with asthma, COPD and respiratory allergy.

Additionally, a hot cup of chai can be a perfect home remedy for your aching throat. It soothes your throat and reduces congestion in your chest and nose.

Treats Nausea

Chai helps treat nausea and reduces the nauseating feeling. A nagging stomach in the morning can be treated with a hot cup of chai. Ginger chai would work wonders when you have the feeling of nausea.

It helps reduce nausea and vomiting and also helps get rid of chemotherapy-induced nausea. Chai contains anti-inflammatory properties that help with nausea and other sorts of issues which lead to nausea.

Contains a High Antioxidant Load

Chai generally contains a good amount of antioxidants, and the spices added to them give them an antioxidant load. The polyphenols and flavonoids in chai make it antioxidant-rich and reduce the negative effects of free radicals in the body.

Free radicals can damage the DNA and lead to a mutation. The mutated DNA can increase the LDL levels or alter the cell membrane, which can create harmful effects on our bodies.

Green tea contains more polyphenols when compared to black tea. However, research states that all plain teas contain the same levels of chemicals, though the proportion may vary.

Chai vs Coffee

Chai tea is made from tea leaves, whereas coffee is prepared from coffee seeds. Chai tea is usually a blend of spices like cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. Coffee contains a bold and strong flavour, which is usually sweetened with a sweetener.

Chai tea is usually prepared by boiling tea leaves, milk and spices. Coffee is brewed using coffee beans with hot water.

Chai can have good hydrating properties. Coffee contains a mild diuretic effect. When compared to coffee, chai tea contains less caffeine.

Indian teas contain about 50-100 mg of caffeine per cup, and a cup of coffee may contain about 30-300 mg.

Chai Tea vs Green Tea

Green tea contains epigallocatechin-3 gallate where, whereas chai tea contains theaflavins. Additionally, the nutritional benefit of the tea may vary depending on the proportion, where the tea leaves are grown, the blend of tea leaves and the type of processing. 

Chai tea and green tea contain caffeine, which is a natural stimulant. Per cup of chai tea contains 72 mg of caffeine, and per cup of green tea contains 50 mg.

Both green tea and chai tea contain cardiovascular properties. Additionally, preliminary research on green tea and chai tea may decrease blood cholesterol slightly, stated the University of Maryland Medical Centre.

Recipes

There are various versions of tea available in India. Cardamom chai, ginger chai and masala chai. You can try various versions of tea and choose the tea that you like.

Chai tea latte

Ingredients required

• Unsweetened soy or almond milk 1 1/4 cup
• Water 1 cup
• Cardamom ground 1-4
• Cinnamon ground 1/2 teaspoon
• Grated ginger 1/2 teaspoon
• Black tea leaves 1 tablespoon

Cooking instruction

• Combine milk and water, and other dry ingredients except tea leaves. Let the mixture boil.
• Add the tea leaves and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Strain the mixture using a mesh and serve them.
• Sweetener is your choice.

Risks and Side Effects

Chai tea is usually safe to drink unless an individual has any allergy to the ingredients. Chai tea contains caffeine that can keep you awake if you drink at night. Caffeine acts as a stimulant and can disrupt your sleep cycle.

So it is recommended not to consume chai tea in the late evenings. Additionally, women who breastfeed should be conscious of their caffeine intake.

Chai tea is usually good. However, people tend to add loads of sweeteners or artificial sweeteners, which makes it unhealthy.

Conclusion

Chai tea offers various health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which help fight oxidative stress.

However, it is recommended not to drink tea in the late evenings until you want to stay awake for long. The caffeine in tea works as a stimulant and gives you energy. Limit your everyday tea intake up to 2 cups to get its full benefits.