For those who have never enjoyed a delicious milk tea, it may be time to change your afternoon beverage routine, as this tea preparation can provide a number of health benefits.
What is Milk Tea?
The term milk tea refers to any number of beverages prepared around the world that contain some ratio of tea and milk. Ranging from a dash of milk in a cup of black tea to bubble tea, Thai tea, salty tea, and masala chai, combining milk and tea is a tradition that extends around the globe. The specific variety of milk tea depends on how one prepares the tea, how much milk is added, and what other ingredients are included. Perhaps the most popular place for this tea is Britain, where it is referred to as tea with milk. [1]
Did you know that in the 17th and 18th centuries, the tea was served in china cups, which were so delicate they would crack from the heat of the tea? So people started adding milk to cool the liquid and stop the cups from cracking. This is how milk tea came into existence. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Serving Size : Nutrient Value Total lipid (fat) [g] 0.92 Carbohydrate, by difference [g] 8.98 Energy 49 Water [g] 88.21 Caffeine [mg] 9 Theobromine [mg] 1 Sugars, total including NLEA [g] 8.82 Fiber, total dietary [g] 0.1 Calcium, Ca [mg] 57 Iron, Fe [mg] 0.04 Magnesium, Mg [mg] 7 Phosphorus, P [mg] 44 Potassium, K [mg] 85 Sodium, Na [mg] 22 Zinc, Zn [mg] 0.21 Copper, Cu [mg] 0.01 Selenium, Se [µg] 1.5 Retinol [µg] 25 Vitamin A, RAE [µg] 25 Carotene, beta [µg] 2 Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) [mg] 0.02 Vitamin D (D2 + D3) [µg] 0.6 Thiamin [mg] 0.02 Riboflavin [mg] 0.09 Niacin [mg] 0.05 Vitamin B-6 [mg] 0.02 Folate, total [µg] 5 Vitamin B-12 [µg] 0.23 Choline, total [mg] 7.6 Vitamin K (phylloquinone) [µg] 0.1 Folate, food [µg] 5 Folate, DFE [µg] 5 Cholesterol [mg] 3 Fatty acids, total saturated [g] 0.56 4:0 [g] 0.03 6:0 [g] 0.02 8:0 [g] 0.02 10:0 [g] 0.02 12:0 [g] 0.02 14:0 [g] 0.09 16:0 [g] 0.24 18:0 [g] 0.11 18:1 [g] 0.23 18:2 [g] 0.03 18:3 [g] 0.01 16:1 [g] 0.01 Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g] 0.24 Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g] 0.05 Sources include : USDA [2]
Milk Tea Health Benefits
The best benefits of milk tea include its effects on stress, skin health, inflammation, obesity, and chronic diseases, among others.
Skin Care
Many forms of tea contain antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds that can reduce the effects of free radicals and prevent premature aging. This can help reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and other blemishes or scars on the skin. [3]
Weight Loss
Tea of all kinds is known to kickstart the metabolism, which can aid in weight loss efforts. The best approach is to pass on adding extra sugar to milk tea, as this will help cut down the calorie count of the beverage. [4]
Reduces Stress
Milk tea is well known to be a relaxing beverage, particularly if you brew it with a non-caffeinated tea. This can release endorphins and re-balance your stress hormone levels, which will reduce inflammation of all kinds throughout the body. [5]
Treats Chronic Diseases
As mentioned, there are catechins and other antioxidants in tea that can help prevent chronic diseases and the negative effects of oxidative stress. [6]
Builds Bone Strength
Adding milk to tea will help boost your overall mineral intake, which will lower your risk of developing osteoporosis as you age.
