Top 5 Health Benefits of Masala Chai (Chai Tea)
Chai tea is made from a combination of black tea, ginger, and other spices. The most popular spices include cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, black pepper, and ... read more...cloves, although star anise, coriander seeds, and peppercorns are other well-liked options. Furthermore, this beverage may be beneficial to heart health, digestion, blood sugar regulation, and other factors. This article will tell you all you need to know about the possible advantages of chai tea.
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There is evidence that chai tea may be beneficial to your heart health. Cinnamon, one of the key constituents in chai tea, has been demonstrated in animal experiments to reduce blood pressure. Cinnamon has been demonstrated to help lower total cholesterol, "bad" LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides by up to 30% in certain people. Most studies utilized 1-6 grams of cinnamon per day, which is often more than what you'd get in a cup of chai tea. However, according to a recent assessment, dosages of as little as 120 mg per day may be adequate to provide these heart-healthy benefits.
Several studies have also found that the black tea used to produce chai tea may help decrease blood cholesterol levels. According to most studies, consuming four or more cups of black tea per day may somewhat lower blood pressure readings. In addition, consuming three or more cups of black tea each day appears to be associated with an 11% decreased risk of heart disease. However, not all researchers agree, and none have looked directly at the effect of chai tea on heart health. As a result, further study is required before drawing firm conclusions.
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Chai tea may help with blood sugar regulation. This is because it includes ginger and cinnamon, both of which have blood sugar-lowering properties. Cinnamon, for example, has been shown in tests to improve insulin resistance and fasting blood sugar levels by 10-29%. Lowering insulin resistance allows your body to more easily use insulin to transport sugar from your blood into your cells. This can assist in lowering blood sugar levels. A recent study discovered that giving participants with type 2 diabetes two grams of ginger powder per day helped drop their blood sugar levels by up to 12%.
According to studies, effective ginger and cinnamon dosages vary from 1-6 grams per day. Such dosages are higher than what you can obtain from store-bought chai tea bags or a cup served by your neighborhood barista. To reap the best advantages, make your own tea from scratch. This allows you to use a little more cinnamon and ginger than most recipes ask for. It's also worth noting that, in contrast to home-brewed chai tea, café variants are sometimes substantially sweetened, which would likely counteract the blood-sugar-lowering advantages of the other constituents in chai tea. In reality, a 12-ounce (360-ml) nonfat milk chai latte from Starbucks has more than 35 grams of sugar, with added sugar accounting for over two-thirds of that total.
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Ginger, which is well-known for its anti-nausea properties, is found in chai tea. Ginger appears to be very beneficial for alleviating nausea during pregnancy. An analysis of research involving 1,278 pregnant women discovered that a daily intake of 1.1-1.5 grams of ginger significantly decreased nausea. This is roughly the quantity of ginger you'd find in one cup of tea. Chai tea also includes cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, which all have antibacterial qualities that appear to aid in the prevention of digestive disorders caused by bacterial infections.
Black pepper, another chai tea component, appears to have comparable antimicrobial qualities. Furthermore, animal studies suggest that black pepper may enhance the number of digestive enzymes required to effectively break down meals and support normal digestion. The amount of pepper utilized in these animal trials, on the other hand, was up to five times greater than the typical amount ingested by people. As a result, further study is required before drawing firm conclusions.
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In numerous ways, chai tea may assist prevent weight gain and boost fat removal. To begin, chai tea is typically made with cow's milk or soy milk, both of which are high in protein. Protein is a nutrient that has been shown to lower hunger and enhance feelings of fullness. Thus, chai tea is more likely than other varieties of tea to reduce hunger and keep you from overeating later in the day. You could even eat it as a snack.
Compounds contained in the sort of black tea used to produce chai may also increase fat breakdown and help minimize the number of calories your body receives from meals, according to research. In addition, one high-quality study found that consuming three cups of black tea every day may help prevent undesirable weight gain or belly fat accumulation. However, it's worth emphasizing that these effects are still minor and appear to be just temporary. Finally, animal studies suggest that eating black pepper may help reduce the buildup of body fat, while it is unclear how these findings apply to people.
However, if you're drinking chai tea, watch out for too much added sugar. Some popular chai tea kinds include considerable quantities, which would likely negate any of the minor advantages mentioned above. The amount and kind of milk used in chai tea may also contribute to calories. A 12-ounce (360-ml) chai tea brewed with skim milk has around 60 calories, whereas a handmade chai latte has about 80. For instance, the same amount of nonfat chai latte at your neighborhood café might have up to 180 calories. It's preferable to stick to homemade, unsweetened varieties.
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Masala tea includes cinnamon and clove, which help to boost immunity. When combined, these two spices boost each other's therapeutic properties. These two species work together to form a barrier that protects pathogens from weakening the immune system. Fennel is another significant element in masala chai. It includes vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for immunity strengthening.
Black tea, which includes caffeine, is the main component in all forms of masala chai. Caffeine is well recognized for naturally increasing one's energy levels. The spices in masala tea work synergistically to counteract any caffeine negative effects. The powerful flavor of masala tea, combined with a dosage of caffeine, will provide you with the necessary boost to start your day on a good note.