9 Amazing Health Benefits of Chai Tea

by Reed Rush November 8, 2022

Chai is one of those soothing wellness teas that linger in the memory. While in many parts of the world, chai simply refers to tea, in the West, it refers to a specific type of tea. Rich and fragrant with an abundance of spices such as cinnamon, star anise, turmeric, and black pepper. Chai tea, which is somewhat spicy and slightly sweet, is an ayurvedic medicine for the body, mind, and spirit. You can consume it black or with milk to impart a creamy flavor.

But in addition to its delightful flavor, chai also benefits one's health.

Chai can be surprisingly healthy to consume. This particular blend of spices and black tea leaves helps alleviate some health and wellness concerns, including significant disease risk factors.

Here are seven amazing health benefits you may receive whenever you drink chai tea.

Disease Prevention

Like that in 8th Wonder’s Sparkling Chai tea, Chai has potent antioxidant benefits derived not only from the polyphenols in tea but also from the spices. Black tea (the foundation of chai) protects cells against free radicals, which can lead to cancer and the onset of aging.

Notably, Indian black teas have been researched and shown to contain some of the highest levels of antioxidants among the many types of tea. Combine this with a combination containing cardamom, a spice also high in antioxidants, and you have a potent healing beverage.

Heart Protection

There is evidence that chai tea may be beneficial for heart health.

Let’s look at its effect on two primary heart disease risk factors: high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

According to animal studies, cinnamon, one of the primary ingredients in chai tea, may lower blood pressure. (1, 2)

Cinnamon has also been proven to reduce the levels of total cholesterol, "bad" LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides by as much as 30% in some individuals. (3) Studies suggest that black tea, which is used to make 8th Wonder’s Sparking Chai Superfood Tea, may help lower blood cholesterol levels. (3a)

How much chai tea do you need for your heart? Recent research suggests that dosages as little as 120 mg per day may be adequate to provide these heart-healthy benefits. (4)

Stress Reduction

Are you feeling anxious? With just a few sips of chai tea, you may be able to relax your mind and alleviate your stress.

While sipping a steaming cup of tea is calming, the tea itself includes inherently calming nutrients. Flavonoids are abundant in all types of tea, including chai. These flavonoids, also known as polyphenols, function as antioxidants and mitigate the effects of free radicals. Flavonoids can neutralize free radicals before causing cell damage.

Moreover, chai mixes like Sparkling Chai Superfood Tea are very beneficial for oxidative stress. This is because catechins and theaflavins, two flavonoids that especially combat this type of stress, are abundant in these plants. Therefore, every time you prepare chai tea, you can counteract the potentially damaging effects of oxidative stress if you consume sufficient quantities of these essential minerals.

Weight Loss

The harmony of black tea and the proper selection of spices are also considered to support healthy weight loss strategies. Black tea is already well-known for promoting fat-burning and reducing calorie intake. When combined with cinnamon, this spice is known for a plethora of weight loss-promoting characteristics, such as lowering cholesterol and regulating blood sugar. In particular, it appears that cinnamon may increase your metabolism, allowing you to convert calories into energy more rapidly.

Do you want more proof of 8th Wonder’s Sparkling Chai Tea's potential weight loss benefits? Here goes…research suggests that chemicals in the sort of black tea used to prepare chai may stimulate fat oxidation and limit the number of calories your body absorbs from food. (5).

In addition, according to one credible study, consuming three cups of black tea every day may help prevent undesirable weight gain or the accumulation of that dangerous abdominal fat. (6)

So, drink up! Your fat stores will thank you.

Lowers Inflammation

Inflammation wreaks havoc throughout the body and has been linked to autoimmunity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and even allergies. Chai is not sufficient to combat these disorders on its own, but it can aid in the fight against chronic inflammation by reducing the inflammatory response within the body.

Ginger and cinnamon are two anti-inflammatory substances that are present in chai tea. Conversely, ginger can target pro-inflammatory cytokines or the substances in the body that induce inflammation. Cinnamon and clove, another chai spice, inhibit an enzyme called cox-2 that causes systemic inflammation.

And the fact that chai combats oxidative stress throughout the body contributes to reducing inflammation and improving health. Oxidative stress can enhance inflammation; it alters proteins and genes, leading to inflammatory disorders. From Alzheimer's disease to arthritis, decreasing inflammation in the body can benefit a wide variety of conditions.

And chai can treat both inflammation and the stress that causes inflammation with a single warm or cold cup.

Reduces Blood Sugar Levels

Whether you have diabetes or not, controlling your blood sugar levels is vital. In addition, blood sugar levels are correlated with weight management, long-term health, and the body's insulin production capacity. 8th Wonder’s Organic Sparkling Chai Tea might help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Research shows that due to the presence of ginger and cinnamon, both of which may have positive effects on blood sugar levels, this tea may help reduce blood sugar levels.

According to research, cinnamon may improve insulin resistance and fasting blood sugar by 10–29%. (7, 8, 9, 10)

Less insulin resistance makes it simpler for the body to use insulin to transport sugar from the blood into the cells. This helps reduce blood sugar levels.

In a recent study, persons with type 2 diabetes who consumed two grams of ginger powder each day experienced a 12% reduction in their blood sugar levels. (11)

Improves Memory and Focus

The brew can also provide a mental boost thanks to the black tea in chai tea. According to a 2017 study in Clinical Phytoscience, black tea can enhance memory and cognitive function. (12)

Caffeine and L-theanine, an amino acid also present in green, white, and oolong tea, are black tea's two most prominent constituents. As you likely already know, caffeine can improve concentration by reducing fatigue. According to the journal Nutrients, L-theanine has a stress-relieving impact, making it easier to concentrate and relax. (13, 14)

A 2017 study also discovered that combining coffee and L-theanine lowers mind wandering and enhances focus. (15) Do you know what that means? No More procrastination!

Reduces Nausea

Ginger is an ingredient in chai, making it an excellent choice for soothing an upset stomach. In addition, ginger can help alleviate nausea and vomiting, as well as motion sickness and chemotherapy-related nausea.

According to research summarized in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, this traditional folk medicine for gastrointestinal symptoms may also alleviate cancer-related nausea and vomiting. The rhizome of the spice ginger includes bioactive chemicals, including gingerol and shogaol. These substances possess anti-inflammatory qualities, making them an excellent option for anyone experiencing stomach trouble. (16)

Eases Digestion

Black pepper is one of the many spices that have been known for centuries to aid in digestion. It is usual practice to sip chai tea for this reason after a meal. How exactly can black pepper improve digestion? It appears to support pancreatic enzyme production. This process helps digest fats and proteins more quickly. (17)

Recent experiments with a variety of spice combinations, all of which contained black pepper and all of which promoted digestion, were conducted. The experiments showed that cardamom, ginger, fennel, clove, and black pepper – all present in our Sparkling Chai Tea - can support the digestive tract when combined with other spices. (18)

Chai Tea vs. Green Tea

Although both green and chai teas contain tea leaves, their constituents are distinct. Green tea is created from tea leaves that have been little treated and oxidized. The tea may include extra ingredients, such as fruits or flowers; however, both unflavored and flavored green teas are considered green tea. Chai is often brewed using fermented and oxidized black tea leaves, as well as cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Another difference between these teas is their flavonoid content. While both green and chai teas contain flavonoids, their chemical makeup differs. For example, the Linus Pauling Institute reports that green tea is rich in flavonoids known as catechins, but chai tea is rich in theaflavins and thearubigins. These compounds have positive effects, but their mechanisms of action may differ for several cellular activities.

And finally, both teas contain caffeine. Black tea, a common component of chai tea, has up to 72 mg of caffeine per cup. Green tea has roughly 50 milligrams.

Is Chai Tea Healthier Than Coffee?

If you want a healthy alternative to coffee, chai is your best bet. Still soothing and flavorful, it can be consumed hot or cold, with or without sugar, and made without milk or low-fat creamer if you're attempting to reduce your fat intake.

Are There Any Risks to Drinking Chai Tea?

The ingredients in chai tea are safe, but If you're sensitive to caffeine, you may want to limit your consumption of chai tea or avoid it altogether. Also, ask your doctor how much caffeine is safe for you and your baby if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Likewise, caffeine may disrupt your sleep if consumed too close to bedtime. To avoid having a sleepless night, avoid caffeine at least four hours before bed.

Signs that you’re sensitive to or drinking too much caffeine include feeling “jittery,” headache, constipation, upset stomach, irritability, heartburn, and insomnia.

As chai is generally served with milk, individuals with lactose intolerance may experience an upset stomach after ingesting the beverage. Fortunately, this is an easy fix, as all you need to do is forego the milk.

Dosage

There is currently no consensus over how much chai tea the average person would need to consume to get the above health advantages.

Most studies focus on the advantages of individual ingredients, making it challenging to identify the exact amount of chai tea or recipe required to maximize these benefits.

As mentioned above, you’ll need to take special precautions if you’re sensitive to caffeine or are lactose intolerant.

Where Did Chai Tea Come From?

According to legend, more than 5,000 years ago, a king in India ordered the creation of a curative spiced beverage for use in Ayurveda, a traditional medicinal system including the use of herbs and spices for healing.

As the medicinal beverage spread throughout India, various spices were employed to prepare it, depending on the region of the continent or even the neighborhood.

In Summary

Chai dates back more than 5,000 years when a king in what is now India ordered the creation of a curative spiced beverage for use in Ayurveda, a traditional medicinal system including herbs and spices for healing.

Chai tea is somewhat spicy and slightly sweet,

Common chai tea ingredients include cinnamon, star anise, turmeric, and black pepper.

Chai tea's health benefits include the following:

Disease prevention
Heart protection
Stress reduction
Weight loss
Lowers inflammation
Regulated blood sugar
Improves cognitive function
Reduces nausea
Eases digestion

Chai tea is a healthier alternative to coffee, as it provides more health benefits.

Introducing: 8th Wonder Sparkling Chai Tea

Sparkling Superfood Tea, full of ancient nutrients and real fruit juice to revitalize your body and mind, is waiting for you to discover its magic.

True rest and relaxation have never been so delicious. Those who try our robust tea flavored with apple, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and a pinch of calming ashwagandha never go back to plain ol' tea. Because we use only the highest quality ingredients, our organic tea is both gluten-free and USDA-approved as 100% organic. So have a seat, kick back, and savor some of the finest tea available. All of your taste buds will appreciate it.

This unique tea is chock full of health-promoting chai tea with intentionally selected components that are organic, fair trade, and reflective of each leaf's cultural traditions.

Click here to learn more and place your order while supplies last!