15 Chai Tea Benefits for Health and Wellness
Not only does chai tea taste good, but it’s also really good for you! Chai is full of ingredients with beneficial properties, including black tea, ginger, cinnamon cloves, cardamom, and more. While the specific spices used in chai tea may vary, these ingredients are some common spices that are typically included in chai blends.
Benefits of Chai Tea
Chai tea has a variety of benefits, including improving digestion, reducing inflammation, boosting your immune system, and more.
1. Rich in antioxidants
Chai tea is a great source of antioxidants, which work to reduce free radicals in the body and promote cellular health, and can even help prevent degenerative diseases and certain forms of cancer. Like other types of tea made from the camellia sinensis tea plant, black tea is extremely high in antioxidants. Cinnamon bark, cardamom and cloves are also high in antioxidants.
2. Boosts heart health
Ingredients in chai tea have been shown to help boost heart health. Black tea contains flavonoids, which are a special compounds that holds the key to many of black tea’s important health benefits. Flavonoids can help prevent plaque buildup in the body’s arteries, which reduces stress on the heart. Cinnamon has also been shown to help to treat cardiovascular diseases and reduce harmful cholesterol.
3. Improves digestion
Drinking chai tea can also help to improve digestion and soothe stomach troubles. Studies show that consuming black tea can have a positive effect on digestion, and can help to prevent gastrointestinal troubles when they arise. Ginger is also a powerful digestive aid, and consuming ginger can help to improve gastrointestinal symptoms and help the digestive system to work properly. Cardamom has plenty of digestive benefits as well!
4. Increases energy and alertness
Whether you’re looking for a good cup of tea to get you going in the morning, or to give you a boost throughout the day, black tea is an energizing tea that can help to increase alertness and focus. Black teas like chai tea contain a moderate amount of caffeine to give you a welcome boost of energy when you’re feeling lethargic, without any of the jitters or other negative side effects that can come with excess caffeine intake. When combined with the l-theanine also present in tea, the caffeine in black tea helps to encourage focus and alertness.
5. Good for your skin
Black tea is high in a variety of vitamins and minerals that are good for the skin, including zinc, magnesium, and potassium, all of which can help to protect and rejuvenate the skin. In addition to these beneficial compounds, consuming tea is also a great way to stay hydrated, which can help your skin look healthy, fresh, and nourished. A daily tea-drinking habit can help to ensure that your skin stays hydrated and healthy!
6. Reduces inflammation
Chai contains plenty of ingredients that can help with inflammation, including black tea, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom. Black tea can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which can soothe muscle soreness and chronic pain, as well as ward off inflammation-related diseases like arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and IBS.
Cinnamon has also been shown to help reduce inflammation and soothe pain. Whether you’re suffering from temporary inflammation due to injuries or exercise, or dealing with chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis, a cup of cinnamon tea can have powerful anti-inflammatory effects.
Ginger can help with inflammation too, and has been used for centuries in herbal medicine for its powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Recent studies back up claims that ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Finally, cardamom also contains anti-inflammatory properties. All of these ingredients make chai tea a great choice if you’re looking to reduce inflammation!
7. Good for your teeth
Unlike other caffeinated beverages, which may contain a heap of sugar, tea has been shown to be good for oral health. Studies have shown that black tea contains compounds that attack harmful bacteria within the mouth, which can help prevent the buildup of plaque. Ginger and cardamom also contain antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties that can help to kill off harmful oral pathogens. This can help to improve your overall health and keep your teeth safe and healthy.
8. Fights off colds
If you’re feeling under the weather, a cup of chai can actually help to ease symptoms of the common cold, or ward off colds entirely. Black tea contains catechins with antiviral properties that may contribute to the prevention of common illnesses such as colds and the flu. Ginger contains antimicrobial properties that can help to fight off illnesses like strep throat. Cinnamon contains unique antibacterial properties can help to protect you against infection and keep you safe and healthy. On top of all that, cardamom and cloves also contain antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making chai tea a great choice if you’re looking to protect your health!
9. Soothes headaches
Black tea is known for soothing minor headaches due to its moderate caffeine content. It constricts blood vessels that are often responsible for headaches, which can help to soothe symptoms and reduce pain. The caffeine present in black tea can also help increase the effectiveness of pain medication like aspirin and ibuprofen. Tea drinkers should treat headaches with caffeine sparingly, however, as black tea can also cause headaches when consumed in excess.
10. Soothes period pain
A cup of chai tea can go a long way towards soothing period pain. Studies have shown that cinnamon can have a powerful effect when it comes to easing the symptoms associated with your period. Cinnamon helps to reduce period pain, nausea, and menstrual bleeding, and is a safe and effective treatment for painful periods. Ginger can help to treat symptoms and ease cramping. In fact, one study suggests that consuming ginger may be just as effective as taking over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. In another study, ginger was shown to successfully reduce both the duration and intensity of period pain.
11. Good for your brain
Did you know that drinking chai can help to improve your cognitive function and help you focus? Preliminary studies suggest that cinnamon can help to enhance cognition and reduce cognitive impairment. Ginger has also been shown to help improve cognitive function, and a cup of ginger tea can help to increase concentration and focus and increase energy.
12. Soothes sore throats
If you’re suffering from a sore throat a cup of warm, spicy chai can help to soothe the symptoms. Ingredients like black tea, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves all contain antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe a sore throat.
13. Boosts your immune system
Chai tea can also help to boost your immune system. Ginger has potent antibacterial properties that can help to ward off dangerous pathogens and keep you safe and healthy. Ginger can also help to keep your immune system in tip-top shape thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects. Black teas like chai tea also contain catechins that can help to reduce the risk of viral infection.
14. Soothes nausea
A cup of chai tea can be an easy, effective way to soothe nausea and calm upset stomachs. Ginger has been shown to help calm nausia and morning sickness associated with pregnancy, and can help you to feel better if you’re feeling queasy or experiencing nausea.
15. Reduces muscle pain
Suffering from sore muscles? A tasty cup of chai tea can help. Ginger has also been shown to help reduce pain and soothe sore muscles. One recent study found that consuming ginger can help treat muscle pain and soreness caused by exercise. Ginger has also been shown to help treat pain from chronic injuries and illnesses.
