For Asian countries like India and China, chai simply means tea. But for the Western world, chai tea is a unique type of beverage. They associate chai tea with an aromatic, spicy beverage that is different from regular tea. In India, this tea is commonly known as masala chai.
The unique blend of herbs and spices is what makes this loose leaf chai tea special. Chai tea is not just a flavorful beverage, but more than that. It’s widely popular for its health benefits with its unique blend of ingredients which includes, black tea, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, fennel and more.
Although chai tea is available in all the cafes, including Starbucks, with the right ingredient, you can also prepare it at your home. You either choose the option of preparing it from scratch or buying premixed tea bags from a tea shop online.
Here, we will discuss some of the interesting health benefits chai tea provides on daily consumption.
- Improves Heart Health
One of the most prominent reasons to add chai tea into your daily routine is its ability to boost heart health. Several studies have shown that cinnamon, one of the common ingredients of chai tea, is known for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Furthermore, black tea contains flavonoids, which help in preventing plaque build-up in the arteries, which reduce stress on the heart.Just like chai tea, you can also use loose leaf earl grey tea, which is flavorful and it also improves heart health.
- Rich in Antioxidants
Both black tea and spices have antioxidants that help in protecting the cells from oxidative stress. Chai tea promotes cellular health and can even prevent degenerative diseases and certain forms of cancer. As compared to other tea types that are made from the Camellia Sinensis tea plant, black tea is rich in antioxidants. Furthermore, its ingredients, such as cinnamon, cardamom and cloves, are rich in antioxidants as well.
- Improves Digestion
By making a small change of adding chai tea to your daily routine, you can do wonders for your digestion. Chai tea is well known for its effectiveness in improving digestion and other stomach-related troubles. Many studies have concluded that black tea improves digestion and can also prevent gastrointestinal troubles whenever they arise. Ginger,being one of the main ingredients of chai tea, is also a powerful digestive aid. Cardamom has its digestive benefits as well.
- Good For Your Teeth
Although, black tea has caffeine content in it, unlike other caffeinated beverages, tea is considered good for oral health. Several studies have concluded that the compounds present in black tea attacks the bacteria in the mouth which helps to curb plaque build-up. Ginger and cardamon are other two teeth protectors, which contain antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties to fight against oral problems. Thus, 3-4 cups of chai tea everyday can improve your oral health.
- Boosts Your Immune System
If you want to enjoy your beverages and also want to improve your health, then loose leaf chai tea is the best option. Due to the anti-inflammatory attribute of ginger, your immune system remains strong. The catechin present in the black tea helps in reducing viral infection. Cardamom contains high doses of vitamin C, which is important to keep your immune system healthy. Furthermore, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties help to fight off common colds, bacteria and fungus.
Also read here Green Tea or Black Tea – Which Is Better for Your Body?
Whether you're looking to protect your heart health or want to boost your immune system, chai tea has something to offer.As a matter of fact, one of the popular drinks in Australia is organic tea. And being organic tea, chai tea is one of the most interesting and tasty additions to a better life.