Tea is a word, but chai is an emotion. In most Indian households, chai being served first thing in the morning every single day is a routine. It would also have been evident how much every elder in your family looked forward to that one cup of tea. The benefits that chai brings along with itself it seldom talked about. This beverage can be a better alternative to your cup of coffee as it is healthier and comes with a considerable amount of benefits. You can add cinnamon and ginger for extra health benefits. Also, don’t forget to store your chai in a tumbler. A stainless steel tumbler that is insulated – yes, insulated tumblers are all the rage now, is an excellent choice. You can even keep them near you while you work to enjoy a cup every now and then. Here are few benefits of tea every chai-lover should know.
1. Improves Heart Health
Cinnamon is one of the main elements in chai, and the chances are that it may lower blood pressure. In few individuals, cinnamon has shown to help lower the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and “bad” LDL cholesterol by up to 30%! Research has also observed that drinking 4 or more cups of tea every day may considerably reduce blood pressure levels. Additionally, consuming 3 or more cups of tea a day seems to have been linked to an 11% lower risk of heart disease.
2. Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
Chai may be linked to controlling blood sugar levels. The reason is that it contains cinnamon and ginger, both of which might have beneficial effects on blood sugar levels. For example, studies have shown that cinnamon could reduce fasting blood sugar levels and insulin resistance by 10–29%. Reduced insulin resistance makes it easier for the body to use insulin to eliminate sugar out of your blood and into your cells. This can end up in lower blood sugar levels.
3. Reduce Nausea and Improve Digestion
Chai made with ginger can have anti-nausea effects as ginger has properties to stop nausea. It seems especially effective at decreasing nausea during pregnancy. Chai also contains cloves, cardamom and cinnamon, all of which contain antibacterial properties that could help prevent digestive issues triggered by bacterial infections. Black pepper is another ingredient found in chai that has antibacterial properties.
4. Help You Lose Weight
The mixture of black tea and chai could help in achieving your weight loss goals, but you need to be careful about the sugar part, which could increase weight rather than decrease it. The trick is to use as little sugar as you can or avoid it altogether. Additionally, studies have also shown that cinnamon might help with metabolic syndrome and help shed weight, reduce blood sugar levels, bad cholesterol, fat, and blood pressure. On the other hand, black tea could help with decreasing calorie intake and increasing fat burn.
5. Energy boosting
Chai has a considerable high amount of caffeine, and it is prepared with black tea with broken leaves or CTC kind. CTC teas are an exceptional kind of tea shaped and crushed into small pellets. You will observe that a cup of tea can both boost your energy and enhance your mood. All the more reason to keep that tumbler of tea with you during your work.
6. Soothes sore throats
If you are suffering from a sore throat, then a cup of warm, spicy chai can help in soothing the symptoms. Ingredients like ginger, black tea, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon, all contain antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can aid in soothing a sore throat.
7. Anti-inflammatory properties
Chai contains numerous ingredients that can assist in reducing inflammation, including black tea, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. Black tea can also help reduce inflammation in the body, which can relax muscle soreness and chronic pain and fight off inflammation-related diseases like IBS, autoimmune disorders, and arthritis. Cinnamon has also shown to help reduce inflammation and bring relief when in pain. Whether you are suffering from momentary inflammation due to injuries or exercise or going through chronic inflammatory conditions, a cup of cinnamon tea has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Ginger can also reduce inflammation and has been used since ancient times in herbal medicine for its strong anti-inflammatory effects. Recent studies have backed up claims that ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Finally, cardamom also has anti-inflammatory properties. All of these ingredients make chai an excellent choice if you are looking to reduce inflammation!
8. Boosts your immune system
Chai can also help in boosting your immune system. Ginger has strong antibacterial properties that can help ward off dangerous pathogens to keep you safe and healthy. Ginger can also aid in keeping your immune system in great shape, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects. Chai also contains catechins that can help in reducing the risk of viral infection.
9. Fights off colds
If you are feeling a little under the weather, a cup of chai can truly help ease symptoms of the common cold or even fight off colds entirely. Chai contains catechins which have antiviral properties that may contribute to the prevention of common illnesses such as flu. Ginger’s antimicrobial properties might help in fighting off diseases like a sore throat. Cinnamon used in chai contains novel antibacterial properties that can help in protecting you against infection to keep you safe and healthy. To top it all, cloves and cardamom also contain antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, making chai a perfect choice if you are looking to protect your health!
10. Good for your brain
Did you know that drinking chai can help in improving your cognitive function and assist you in focusing on your work? Preliminary studies suggest that cinnamon can aid in enhancing cognition and reducing cognitive impairment. Ginger has also shown to help develop cognitive function, and a cup of ginger tea can increase concentration and focus by boosting your energy.
Conclusion
A cup of tea can make a world of difference to a lot of people and for a good many reasons. Chai is available almost anywhere, from railway stations to roadside stalls to restaurants. The love for this drink has only increased over the years. While it is a tasty drink, you also should know the health benefits it carries. So, go ahead and recommend someone to have chai today! Don’t forget to tell them about its benefits.
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