5 Best Benefits of Milk Tea

by John Staughton (BASc, BFA) last updated -

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]

Pouring milk in black tea

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

Nutrition Facts

Tea, hot, chai, with milk
Serving Size :
NutrientValue
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.

DMCA.com Protection Status
About the Author

John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer with English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (USA). He co-founded the literary journal, Sheriff Nottingham, and now serves as the Content Director for Stain’d Arts, a non-profit based in Denver, Colorado. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve.

Rate this article
Average rating 3.9 out of 5.0 based on 294 user(s).