Milk tea, also known as chai tea, is a popular beverage that originated in China. It is made by combining black tea, milk, and sweetener, usually in the form of sugar crystals, tapioca pearls, or fruit jellies.
While milk tea is a delicious treat that many people enjoy, it’s important to consider how often you should drink it for optimal health. Well, the answer would be no more than one cup daily.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and potential risks of drinking milk tea and will ponder upon the question, “How often should you drink milk tea?”
What is Milk Tea?
Milk tea is a beverage made by steeping black tea in hot water and then adding milk and sweetener. It is usually served hot but with time more facets of the tea have emerged and now cold serving with tapioca pearls or fruit jellies is also popular.
Milk tea is a popular drink in many countries, especially in Asia, where it originated.
Benefits of Drinking Milk Tea
Milk tea can provide the following health benefits when consumed in moderation:
- Milk tea contains black tea, which is a rich source of antioxidants.
- Milk tea has caffeine, which can provide an energy boost and help improve mental alertness.
- Milk tea can help to soothe the digestive system and relieve symptoms of bloating and constipation.
- Since milk is an essential ingredient of milk tea, it is believed that tea strengthens bones.
Risks of Drinking Milk Tea
While milk tea can provide some health benefits, there are also potential risks to consider which are:
- If synthetic white sugar or tapioca pearls are added for sweetness, it might pose a threat to diabetes.
- Full-fat or condensed milk may add a big chunk to your daily calorie intake thereby posing a threat of weight gain.
- Caffeine in high amounts may lead to side effects like jitters or insomnia.
- Sometimes people report acid reflux after consuming tea daily.
How Often Should You Drink Milk Tea?
It is important to consume milk tea in moderation, which varies from person to person.
While milk tea can provide some health benefits, it’s important to keep in mind the potential risks associated with consuming too much sugar, calories, and caffeine.
If you enjoy milk tea, try to limit your consumption to once or twice a week. If you are an avid drinker, you can take tea on alternate days, and even for that, opt for lower-sugar varieties, and consider using non-dairy milk or sweeteners such as honey or stevia to reduce calorie and sugar intake.
| Frequency of Milk Tea | Health Status |
| Once a week | Generally healthy |
| Twice a week or less | Generally healthy |
| Three to four times | Moderately healthy |
| Daily | Potentially risky |
When to Avoid Milk Tea?
There are some instances where it’s best to avoid drinking milk tea altogether. Here are a few situations where you should skip milk tea:
- Pregnancy: Pregnant women should avoid drinking milk tea, as it can contain caffeine and high levels of sugar.
- Allergies or Sensitivities: If you have a dairy allergy or sensitivity, you should avoid drinking milk tea or opt for non-dairy alternatives.
- Health Conditions: If you have certain health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you should limit your intake of milk tea or avoid consuming it altogether.
Is it Okay to Drink Milk Tea Every Day?
Drinking milk tea every day may not be the healthiest choice for everyone. While milk tea can provide some health benefits, such as antioxidants and vitamins, it can also contain high amounts of sugar, calories, and caffeine.
Consuming large amounts of sugar and caffeine daily can lead to negative effects on health, such as weight gain, increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, and disrupted sleep patterns.
Check the following video out for more in-depth analysis.
Is it Okay to Drink Milk Tea Twice a Week?
It’s generally okay to drink milk tea twice a week as long as you know the risks of consuming too much sugar.
Limiting your consumption to once or twice a week can help you to enjoy the beverage without compromising the taste or your health.
What Happens if You Stop drinking Milk Tea?
If you stop drinking milk tea, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, and fatigue. These symptoms are usually temporary and subside within a few days.
If you’re trying to reduce your consumption of milk tea, it’s important to do so gradually and to make healthy choices when possible.
An Even Healthier Alternative to Milk Tea
Drinking milk tea once a week may be a healthy choice for some people, as it can provide some health benefits without compromising overall health.
It’s also important to remember that everyone’s health needs and goals are different also what works for one person may not work for another.
No doubt, milk tea is a delicious drink that many people enjoy. However, Thai tea has some advantages over milk tea that may make it a better choice to consume often.
First, Thai tea is made with black Assam tea leaves, which have been shown to have health benefits. Black tea contains antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage. It also contains caffeine, which can give you an energy boost and improve your mental focus.
Second, Thai tea typically contains less sugar than milk tea. Excessive sugar consumption has been associated with various health problems, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. By choosing Thai tea instead of milk tea, you may be able to reduce your sugar intake.
Finally, Thai tea often contains spices such as star anise and cardamom, which not only add flavor but also have potential health benefits. For example, cardamom has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help lower blood pressure.
Of course, like any drink, Thai tea should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
But if you’re looking for a tasty and potentially beneficial alternative to milk tea, Thai tea is a great option to consider.
Conclusion
- Milk tea is a delicious beverage that can provide some health benefits when consumed in moderation.
- While there is no set rule for how often you should drink milk tea, it’s important to keep in mind the potential risks associated with consuming too much sugar, calories, and caffeine.
- Remember, moderation is key when it comes to enjoying any food or beverage.
- By being mindful of your consumption and making healthier choices whenever possible, you can enjoy any beverage of your choice.