Does Milk Tea Increase Weight? Discover 8 Health Benefits and Tips

Tea has been a go-to beverage for most of the Indian population for many decades. As per the people's taste, the tea industry has innovated to create different flavours like Irani chai, masala chai, lemon chai, etc. However, one common question among health-conscious people is, “Does drinking milk tea increase weight?” 

In this blog, let's explore the journey of the comforting embrace of your favourite milk tea that meets the quest for a healthier lifestyle. Get ready to sip and savour, and let’s unravel the age-old question: Does milk tea increase weight?

Table Of Contents

1. What Is Milk Tea?

2. Does Milk Tea Increase Weight?

3. Nutritional Value Of Milk Tea

4. Top 8 Health Benefits Of Drinking Tea

5. 5 Tips To Consume Milk Tea

6. The Final Say

7. FAQs

8. References

What Is Milk Tea?

Milk tea refers to drinks prepared worldwide which contain both milk and tea in specific ratios. Many milk tea varieties are commonly based on the preparation process, the quantity of milk added, and the ingredients used. These varieties offer numerous health benefits milk tea can provide you with. 

Like an active fitness plan, milk tea can help reduce weight, cure stress, and facilitate the skin. Milk tea is popularly known as a relaxing drink worldwide, specifically those brewed with non-caffeinated tea.

But a lingering question would be, does drinking milk tea increase weight? Well, we are going to answer that now. 

Does Milk Tea Increase Weight?

Studies suggest that the casein protein in the milk makes the natural antioxidants in the tea to make it less effective for weight loss and fat burning. But does milk tea with sugar increase weight? With sugar being the common additive in milk tea, the calorie intake would increase further. 

Milk tea is a calorie-dense drink. One cup of milk tea contains 100-150 calories. However, it always leads to weight gain due to the calorie excess if anyone consumes milk tea several times a day and needs to balance it with enough physical exercise. Switching to healthy drinks could be a better alternative.   

While drinking milk tea is okay for weight loss, drinking frequently can lead to weight gain. People also combine sugar in tea besides mixing milk. These two together make tea a high-calorie beverage.

In this case, 1 cup of tea mixed with whole cream milk and a teaspoon of sugar contains 70 calories. Now, if you eat it four times daily, it becomes 280 calories. So, be attentive about it.   

Nutritional Value Of Milk Tea

Tea helps to hydrate us, contributing to our fluid intake. It also contains potent antioxidants called flavonoids, which boost our health. However, 1 cup of tea calories depends on other ingredients like milk and sugar. So, the following are the nutrients in a cup of tea:

1.  Nutritional Value Of 1 Cup Of Tea Without Milk And Sugar

1 cup of tea without milk and sugar includes the following nutrients:

2. Nutritional Value of 1 Cup Of Tea Calories With Sugar And Milk

1 cup of tea with milk and sugar includes the following nutrients:

Also Read: Matcha Tea And Its Several Health Benefits 

Top 8 Health Benefits Of Drinking Milk Tea

Let us now explore various benefits of drinking milk tea:

1. Rich In Antioxidants

Whether green tea, black tea, or herbal tea, it boasts an impressive array of antioxidants that act as your body's natural defence against numerous harmful free radicals. These antioxidants later, including catechins and polyphenols, play a pivotal role in neutralising the damaging effects of oxidative stress.

2. Enhances Immunity And Metabolism

Savouring a cup of tea goes beyond the delightful warmth and flavour. This ritual can significantly bolster your immune system thanks to its immune-boosting properties. The tea's bioactive compounds stimulate immune cell production, equipping your body to fend off illnesses more effectively. Moreover, the metabolic perks of tea are to be considered.

3. Promotes Blood Vessel Relaxation

The fantastic ability tea holds to induce relaxation in blood vessels has profound implications for cardiovascular health. When your blood vessels relax, they ease the strain on your heart, allowing your blood to flow more smoothly. This, in turn, can lead to lower blood sugar levels and a decreased risk of various hypertension-related complications.

4. Supports Brain Health

Tea is not just a soothing beverage; it has compounds like L-theanine, which work harmoniously with caffeine. This helps stimulate your nervous system without causing the harmful side effects of other caffeinated drinks. This harmonious blend of herbal teas can later enhance focus, concentration, and overall brain function in your body. 

5. Reduces Cellular Damage

Antioxidants in tea play a multifaceted role in maintaining your cellular health. By combating relevant oxidative stress, tea can minimise the daily wear and tear your cells endure.

This, in turn, reduces the risk of cellular damage with many health complications. With every sip of tea, you provide your cells with a defence shield, helping them stay resilient and functional in the face of challenges.

Also Read: Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Types, Sources and Benefits 

6. Heart Health Benefits

A cup of regular tea consumption has been linked to various cardiovascular benefits. It can improve your cholesterol profiles, reducing harmful LDL cholesterol levels and promoting good HDL cholesterol. Tea's anti-inflammatory properties can also contribute to a healthier heart by reducing inflammation in the arteries.

7. Helps Regulate Blood Sugar

Tea's remarkable ability to assist in blood sugar regulation is a boon, especially for those with diabetes or individuals at risk of developing this condition. 

The bioactive compounds in tea help enhance insulin sensitivity, allowing your body to manage glucose levels better. This can result in more stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, preventing the spikes and crashes that can lead to fatigue and mood swings.

8. Anti-inflammatory And Anti-Aging

Tea contains anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potent ally in reducing inflammation throughout your body, potentially alleviating symptoms of conditions like arthritis. 

With this, tea also contains compounds that can slow down the ageing process in your body by protecting your skin from premature ageing.

5 Tips To Consume Milk Tea

Some tips are below to enjoy a great tea without worrying too much about weight and calories.   

1. Drink Milk Tea In Moderation 

Limit your intake of milk tea to just one to a max of two cups a day. Occasionally, give other low-calorie drinks like herbal and green tea a chance to replace them.   

2. Check For Milk Choices In Milk Tea  

The type of milk can significantly impact your weight and fat gain. Try out low-fat milk, almond milk, or any other type of plant-based milk.   

3. Limit Sugar In Milk Tea  

Sugar is now the most antagonised product as more and more people become aware of its harmful effects. Try natural sweeteners like honey or stevia to maintain sweetness in your tea.   

4. Milk Tea Should Not be The First Drink  

The caffeine in tea will trigger the acids in the stomach and hamper the digestive process. If you always drink milk tea first thing in the morning. Drinking warm water with some lime juice and honey early in the morning will be better.   

5. Use Less Milk In Milk Tea

Try drinking milk tea with slightly less milk (slightly kadak). Kadak chai relaxes the blood vessels and stimulates the nervous system.   

Watch over your overall diet and lifestyle – milk tea may not be purely responsible for weight gain, but it can contribute to an overall unhealthy diet. Ensure you have a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. 

The Final Say

So, to sum up, there is no need to eradicate milk tea from your diet entirely or every time you consider “Does tea with milk increase weight?” Instead, we need to be more mindful of what we eat, how much we eat and how it affects our bodies. 

It is okay to enjoy a cup of milk tea occasionally, but it is always in the excellent spirit of sustainability of our health; we shall be open to other healthier tea alternatives. 

FAQs

1. Can we drink sugar tea while dieting?  

Yes, but sugar adds excess calories without any nutrition, and too significantly, added sugar can hinder your weight-loss efforts. When drinking tea, opt for unsweetened versions to reap the most nutritional benefits from your tea.   

2. Does milk tea with sugar increase weight?  

Sugar is a prevalent ingredient usually added to tea, but it can contribute to weight gain and negatively impact your health. To promote weight loss, gradually reduce the sugar you add to your tea until you can enjoy it without any sweeteners.   

3. Which type of tea is best for weight loss?  

Green Tea is best for weight loss. One clinical nutrition study found green tea extract can lead to weight loss and even reduced waistline in women after 12 weeks. This might be because green tea extract significantly lowers ghrelin levels in the body a gut hormone. 

References

1. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/ 

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5149046/  

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