Is Chai Tea Good For You? 19 Health Benefits
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Chai tea, commonly known as spiced tea, is a tea blend that has its origin in India. It was traditionally prepared by steeping black tea in water together with spices, milk, and sweeteners. The spices together create an exquisite and fragrant infusion that has achieved massive success in every corner of the globe.
From enhancing your immunity to getting rid of body pains, the essence of chai tea is more than just in the sip. Now, let's find out how chai tea benefits your health.
1. Rich In Antioxidants
Chai tea is very rich in antioxidants which can help scavenge free radicals in the body and maintain the health of the cells. This prevents oxidative stress or diseases such as cancer and other diseases that are a result of cell degeneration.
The polyphenols like catechins in tea, and rich spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, etc., are also vital for the slow aging process, relief from nausea and muscular pain, and improving bioavailability of many nutrients other than empowering to fight against free radicals in the body thereby boosting the health benefits of chai.
Thus, the blend of spices and tea in chai can keep you away from certain types of cancers, and illnesses and reduce inflammation.
2. Improves Heart Health
Chai tea contains many parts – the antioxidants in tea and the spices that are linked to the health of the heart.
Flavonoids are the special compound that is present in black tea, which has the potential to unlock many health benefits associated with black tea. It can help stop substances forming the formation of plaque in the body’s arteries hence reducing stress on the heart.
Some research showed that black tea, from which chai tea is made, plays a role in reducing blood cholesterol levels. This indirectly supports heart health, making sure that there is no blockage in the circulatory system.
3. Improves Digestion
Chai tea has properties that are beneficial in treating stomach illnesses by improving digestion. Ginger contains several beneficial properties for digestion and its intake can help enhance digestive status and properly function the digestive system. Consuming chai after a heavy meal also can relieve the stomach, hence it is best when taken after the meal.
Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and black pepper have anti bacterial effect that can check digestive disorders due to bacterial infections. In animal studies, black pepper has been found to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes needed to properly break down foods and support optimal digestion.
4. Aids In Weight Management
Chai tea can be quite beneficial in your dieting regime since it may assist in fat loss and also avoid weight gain in several ways. Chai tea is generally prepared with cow’s milk or soy milk which are protein-based products. Protein decreases appetite and increases fullness.
Cinnamon which has been known to help increase insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels will help minimize the chances of sugar cravings as well as aid in managing one's appetite to control their weight. The cholesterol-lowering effect of chai tea also has a role to play here, as weight management is obvious when cholesterol level is minimal in the body.
5. Boosts Immune System
The spices in chai such as ginger and cinnamon have antibacterial properties that can help fend off dangerous pathogens keeping you safe and healthy and support keeping your immune system up to the mark with its anti-inflammatory properties.
Similarly, other spices like cloves help in detoxifying the body, thereby improving overall immunity by reducing the load of toxins. Likewise, black pepper stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes, indirectly supporting immunity. Nursing yourself with a steaming cup of sweet chai tea hence can provide a strong boost to your immune system.
6. Reduces Blood Sugar Levels
Chai tea is made from ginger, cinnamon, and black tea which might help enhance the impact of insulin, and thus reduced glycemic index. Findings also suggest that cinnamon can significantly decrease insulin resistance and fasting blood sugar levels by 10%-29%. One study provided participants with a dose of two grams of ginger powder daily and noted that their blood sugar levels could be reduced by about 12%.
There are a lot of potential benefits that are associated with black tea. One research revealed that the fasting blood glucose levels were reduced by 18% if the participant consumed 2-3 cups of black tea a day.
7. Reduces The Risk Of Cancer
Chai tea is believed to help fight against cancer cells. Some studies suggest that the antioxidants in chai tea, especially from black tea and spices like cinnamon and ginger may help reduce the risk of certain cancers as these compounds may inhibit the growth of cancer cells and reduce inflammation, which is associated to the development of tumor.
Cardamom could have a potent anti-cancer effect as well. Animal studies showed that mice who were given cardamom saw an increase in the enzymes that help to fight off cancer and further tests also leaned towards cardamom preventing cancer cells from multiplying.
8. Boosts Energy And Alertness
Chai tea contains black tea, which comprises caffeine and La-theanine, which are known to improve alertness and mental focus. Research shows that L-theanine can enhance cognitive performance when combined with caffeine, providing a more stable energy boost without the tension associated with coffee.
Caffeine blocks adenosine which helps increase alertness and focus. While chai certainly won’t be in the same caffeine rich camp as coffee, it does have enough caffeine in it to wake you up and bring a boost to those who are sinking into fatigue. This concludes that chai tea can energize your body and enhance your concentration power.
9. Enhances Skin Health
Chai tea has antioxidants from cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and other spices which fight oxidative stress, a key factor in skin aging. Research also indicates that these antioxidants cause the skin to become more elastic and even diminish wrinkles alongside providing a healthy glow to the skin.
Black tea contains a rich source of vitamins and minerals like zinc, magnesium, and potassium, all of which are very vital in skin protection and renewal thus contributing to the skin’s general health. In addition to that, consuming tea daily maintains one’s skin healthy and hydrated hence giving a natural glow and vitality.
10. Supports Teeth And Oral Health
Chai tea includes spices that have anti-microbial properties. These properties may serve anti-cavity purposes and reduce the prevalence of pathogenic organisms resulting in an enhanced oral hygiene status. Moreover, studies have shown that clove's active compound, eugenol, and clove oil help prevent tooth decay and other gum-related diseases.
Research has revealed that black tea has properties that act on damaging bacteria within the mouth and therefore prevent plaque formation. However, it is also noteworthy that cinnamon has a positive effect on pain and inflammation. Also, the consumption of chai tea is beneficial in relieving toothaches and pains.
11. Combats Colds
The ingredients of chai tea have numerous health benefits. They have traditionally been used to alleviate cold and respiratory problems. The ginger assists in fighting off diseases and bringing relief to a sore throat and/or a stuffy nose.
Also, cinnamon and cardamom are the other ingredients that can protect you against infections and help you drain your sinuses to keep you safe and healthy. Furthermore, black tea contains antioxidants called catechins to help fight off particular viruses that may lead to routine diseases like colds or the flu.
12. Soothes Menstrual Pain
Ingredient like cinnamon is a safe and effective treatment for painful periods that helps reduce period pain, nausea, and menstrual bleeding and regulates blood flow. In addition, it eases the symptoms associated with the period and also muscle spasms.
Similarly, ginger can help treat symptoms and ease cramping. One study suggests that consuming ginger may be just as effective as taking over-the-counter painkillers. In another study, ginger was shown to successfully reduce both the duration and intensity of period pain.
13. Relieves Headache
Drinking chai tea can help alleviate headaches and provide relief to your body. Spices in chai tea possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Ginger is believed to help reduce tension and inflammation. As well as ginger, in particular, is as effective as some medications in reducing migraine symptoms.
Black tea has moderate caffeine content which soothes symptoms and reduce pain in head. Its caffeine content can simultaneously enhance the effectiveness of pain medication like aspirin and ibuprofen and constricts blood vessels that are often responsible for headaches.
14. Maintains Brain Health
Drinking chai tea can help improve your cognitive ability or function and help you focus. Cinnamon can help enhance cognition and reduce cognitive impairment. Likewise, ginger helps enhance cognitive function and a cup of ginger tea can help increase concentration and focus and increase energy.
The black tea in chai tea may also contribute cognitive benefits when consumed regularly. Compounds found in black tea, have shown the potential to enhance memory, focus, and processing capabilities. The caffeine found in tea may offer some cognitive health benefits too.
15. Soothes Nausea
One study showed that ginger has a calming effect and helps deal with nausea and morning sickness in pregnant women. A review of studies conducted on a total of 1,278 pregnant women found that a daily dose of 1.1–1.5 grams of ginger significantly reduced nausea.
In other words, it can be concluded that a cup of chai tea may be a quick and successful method of easing nausea. Moreover, ginger can also be a source of relief for you if you are feeling worried or are experiencing nausea as it is a common anti-nausea drug.
16. Relieves Muscle Pain
Ginger can help ease muscle pain and soreness. Studies have established that ginger is effective for treating muscle pain and soreness caused by exercise and its anti-inflammatory nature assists in the reduction of pain and fastens the recovery process which makes the chai tea to be taken after sweaty workouts.
Cinnamon contains an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory component that reduces muscle hardness and pain as it lowers the inflammation levels of the affected muscles. Interestingly, cloves are rich in eugenol which works as a muscle pain relaxant by down-regulating the pain receptors and inflammation to the affected parts of the muscle.
17. Stronger Bones
Drinking chai tea regularly can help you benefit from its bone-strengthening properties over time.
The beneficial compounds present in chai tea ingredients, especially black tea might keep bones in good shape as it is linked to higher bone mass density. The black tea includes flavonoids that are responsible for the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, thus ensuring healthy bone mineral density.
Furthermore, other ingredients like ginger and cinnamon can promote bone-building cell activity, improve calcium absorption in the body, and reduce chronic inflammation, thus lessening the risk of osteoporosis.
18. Improves Constipation
Chai tea has some ingredients that can counter the effects of constipation. Caffeine found in black tea aids in the stimulation of the muscles in the digestive tract hence promoting bowel movements and preventing constipation.
Ginger, the other ingredient of chai tea has a smooth and easy motion in the intestinal tract to propel food and wastes while cinnamon is known to have a relaxing effect on muscles of the digestive system and hence may ease constipation. In addition to this, cloves help correct bowel movements, thereby supporting in digestion and reducing incidences of constipation.
The mixture of these elements makes chai tea can be a natural cure for mild constipation by improving digestion, decreasing swelling and escalating the movement of the colon.
19. Detoxifies Body
Chai tea is made up of a special mixture of several ingredients that are very useful for detoxification. Chai tea ingredients such as ginger and cinnamon, can stimulate the digestive system, favor blood flow, and assist in the removal of toxins.
Black tea consists of anti-oxidants that lead to the reduction of oxidative stress and then the elimination of cell damage which simultaneously helps sustain the normal body detoxification pathways.
Ginger helps the body release toxins through gastric motility and sweating while cinnamon, on the other hand, is responsible for the regulation of blood sugar levels which prevent toxin build-up in the body.
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