Water is the elixir of life and essential to your well-being. However, tea comes next due to its popularity as the beverage of choice. Indeed, people in Asia, UK and Canada as well as parts of Africa prefer this unique drink which is prepared by steeping a handful of tea leaves in hot water. It is the oldest way known to mankind to cool down in seconds.
You’d be amazed to know that tea grew in abundance in less populated areas and was often ignored. Then came 2737 BC. BC, and the Chinese emperor thus added it to his morning cup of tea, thus elevating it to new heights. It remained firmly in people’s minds. American coffee is a relatively new beverage that was popularized after Boston tea. However, tea is certainly not limited to just one type.
On the contrary, you will find tea enthusiasts discussing its merits based on color. So you get black, white, green and yellow tea varieties available now. However, all of them come from a solitary plant, namely Camellia Sinensis.
The difference lies in the treatment of the leaves as well as the extent of oxidation they undergo. It has a number of health benefits, but adding milk and a sugar cube to make it more palatable may reduce its nutritional benefits somewhat.
You can yearn for centuries-old milk tea or the relatively new green tea root. Which should you drink, though? Green tea versus milk tea is a battle in which friends and families are seriously debating the issue. Each variety has its uses, and this would help you make an informed decision once you know enough to tell them apart.
Contents:
Components in a teacup
Although it is understood that a steaming cup of tea contains several beneficial components, most people prefer to drink it to boost their energy and stay refreshed. Morning tea has become almost unavoidable in modern times.
However, it makes sense to take a look at the components of each type of tea when choosing your morning drink.
1. Antioxidants
Catechins, the main component of tea, have proven antioxidant properties. Green tea is packed with catechins that help the body stay healthy by protecting against free radicals that cause disease and aging.
Unfortunately, your body won’t get too many antioxidants from consuming black tea with milk. It is the milk that prevents the absorption of antioxidants by the cells of the body.
2. Caffeine
Don’t automatically switch to coffee when you’re eager for caffeine. Tea also contains a good amount of caffeine, and you will find that milk tea contains an increased amount compared to its green counterpart.
Milk tea is usually made with black tea which contains more caffeine. You will find 30 mg to 60 mg of caffeine in a small cup of tea that has been steeped in hot water and milk for 8 minutes.
A known energy booster, drinking several cups of milk tea can cause your blood pressure to rise and your heart to race. So opt for 1-2 cups a day and to ensure better absorption of antioxidants, opt for black tea without milk or add lemon juice to improve the taste.
3. Fluoride
You will be able to get a good amount of fluorides by choosing green tea. This will allow you to strengthen your bones and keep your teeth healthy without resorting to supplements. Adding milk will dilute this effect, as the fluoride count is greatly reduced.
benefits of green tea
Consuming green tea will help you benefit tremendously from its bioactive components that improve both heart health and brain function.
Some of the health benefits that have been proven by the medical fraternity include:
1. Green tea improves heart health
Green tea contains a good amount of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) compounds that maintain the wall of blood vessels and reduce stress and anxiety.
Never add milk to green tea for better antioxidant absorption.
2. Green tea increases detoxification properties
All toxins can be eliminated from the body thanks to green tea.
This will not only boost your immunity, but can also improve the health of your skin, making it blemish-free and looking shiny.
3. Green tea can help with weight loss
Antioxidants from green tea help fight free radical damage and improve metabolism.
It helps in weight loss when combined with a well balanced diet and exercise.
Benefits of milk tea
Milk tea is prepared by adding a tablespoon or 2 of milk to brewed black tea. It is eaten hot and is popular in the UK and parts of South Asia. Some of the benefits associated with drinking milk tea include:
1. Better taste
The pungent and astringent taste is considerably lessened by the addition of milk. This type of tea is tasty and preferred in almost all communities of tea drinkers who cannot live without a cup of morning tea.
2. Additional Benefits
Many people make sure to take tea with the added flavor of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, tulsi leaves, mint leaves, or certain herbs. This adds more flavors as well as additional health benefits
Green tea vs milk tea – which is healthier?
Tea whether black, green or white, when consumed alone by steeping in hot or cold water, contains very few calories. However, most people prefer milk tea. Adding milk not only reduces a host of health benefits, but can also significantly decrease its value. Health professionals recommend drinking tea without a flavor enhancer to ensure you get the full extent of its benefits.
Of course, milk is a whole food, but adding it to black tea won’t add anything to the tea. Instead, it may prove ineffective. So, go ahead and drink tea to boost your energy levels, but remember to drink it in raw form by steeping it in hot water. You can add a drop of lemon to get rid of the bitter taste instead of milk.
If you want to compare the benefits of green tea and milk tea, green tea ticks the majority of the boxes. Check the details below and choose the healthiest option.
- Green tea contains a lot of fluorides which are beneficial for healthy bones and teeth, but milk tea contains a reduced amount.
- The caffeine content is much less in green tea than in its black counterpart. Mixing it later with milk can make your heart beat faster and raise your blood pressure
- An abundance of EGCG helps blood circulation by protecting the wall of blood vessels. Mixing the addition of milk to black tea, you may end up with little benefit
- Green tea is believed to help with weight loss while milk in tea adds calories as many prefer it with sugar
Summary
Green and black teas have several common benefits, including boosting energy and improving heart health.
Green tea contains additional antioxidants that improve your health. Remember to drink milk tea as it may not be as effective as green tea and may add extra calories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is it okay to drink milk tea?
A. Adding milk to black tea is a common practice. Tea is rich in antioxidants which benefit the body in several ways. Health professionals advise drinking tea without milk to maximize nutritional gains. You can drink milk and tea separately if you cannot do without one or another drink. Mixing the two can cause some digestive issues and inhibit the potency of the tea considerably.
Q. How much green tea should you consume?
A. You can consume 2-3 cups of green tea per day. Drinking too many cups can be problematic.
Q. Is it okay to drink 12 cups of green tea a day as an alternative to water?
A. There is no alternative to water. Remember to stay well hydrated by consuming water between meals, at regular intervals. Green tea has health benefits, but going too far and replacing the water entirely with green tea can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, and insomnia over time.
Q. Will dairy alternatives make milk tea taste the same?
A. Well, you can try adding almond milk, soy milk or coconut milk to the tea if you are lactose intolerant. However, the taste may be a bit off and you may need to add sugar to enjoy it. Switch to healthier green tea instead and have your tea with ease.
Q. How does milk tea affect your health?
A. Drinking several cups of milk tea throughout the day can make you feel nauseous and bloated. Your tongue will be coated and your breath will eventually stink. The caffeine in your tea will make you restless and hamper your sleep cycle, making you feel tired all the time.
