Tea and milk are popular beverages around the world. Mixing tea and milk, known in Malaysia as teh tarik, is not only delicious but also has a number of health benefits. However, you should limit your consumption to avoid negative effects.
Benefits of combining tea and milk
Tea has been a popular beverage among Asians for centuries, commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions and available in various flavors. Similarly, milk is popular among both children and adults, though some people avoid it due to lactose intolerance or allergies.
Tea is renowned for its high antioxidant content, while milk is a nutrient-dense drink. Adding other spices to tea and milk can enhance both flavor and nutrition. Many people prefer mixing tea with milk for its believed nutritional benefits. Adding milk to tea not only improves the flavor but also reduces tartness and bitterness.
According to Medicine Net, the benefits of combining tea and milk include:
- Maintain healthy bones and muscles
Tea is rich in antioxidants, while milk is high in calcium. Mixing the two provides your body with nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, and B12, which are beneficial for bone and muscle health.
- Good source of energy
Drinking milk and tea can provide you with enough energy to get through the day. A cup of milk contains 146 calories, 8 grams of protein, 8 grams of fat, and essential minerals like calcium, vitamin D, B12, B2, phosphorus, and selenium, making it a nutritious beverage to fuel your activities.
- Promotes skin health
Consuming milk or low-fat milk in moderation can help keep your skin healthy. Milk contains essential fats, and the antioxidants in tea can nourish the skin and prevent premature aging.
- Relieves stress
Milk tea has antidepressant properties due to its tryptophan content, which improves mood and reduces stress. However, milk tea contains caffeine, which can cause anxiety disorders.
The type of tea and milk used affects the nutritional content and benefits of the beverage. Green tea and black tea contain flavonoids, powerful antioxidants. Both types of tea are more bitter than regular tea. If you want to avoid excess calories, choose low-fat milk. You can also replace cow's milk with plant-based milk, which contains less fat, though this reduces calcium intake.
Potential side effects of combining tea and milk
Despite its benefits, combining tea and milk can have side effects. Some of the potential side effects include:
- Indigestion, including bloating and constipation
- Weight gain
- Anxiety Disorders
- Sleeplessness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heartburn
While mixing tea and milk creates a delicious and nutritious beverage, consuming it with high sugar content to mask the bitterness increases the risk of obesity. It is best to limit your consumption to avoid unwanted side effects. If you experience symptoms from consuming milk tea, consult a doctor immediately.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
Streit, L. (2019). What Are the Benefits of Drinking Tea with Milk?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/the-benefits-of-tea-with-milk
Spandana, K. (2022). What Are the Benefits of Drinking Tea With Milk?. Available from: https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_benefits_of_drinking_tea_with_milk/article.htm
WebMD Editorial Contributors. (2022). Are There Health Benefits to Drinking Tea?. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/diet/tea-health-benefits
