What Is Chai Tea Good For?

For most the world, the word "chai" is a generic term for tea. In the Western hemisphere, particularly the United States, the term "chai" specifically refers to masala chai. Masala chai is a black tea mixed with Indian spices and steamed milk. The sweet, creamy, cinnamon flavor of chai is very popular worldwide and is believed to have health benefits.

Ingredients

The base of masala chai is a strong black tea, normally Assam. The distinct flavor of chai comes from its blend of spices that include ginger, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper. The sweetness comes from the steamed milk and honey.

Assam

Assam tea gets its name from the valley in India where it grows best. The Brahmaputra River runs through this valley and has flooded every spring and fall for millennia. This flooding deposits minerals and loam into the sandy soil. The climate consists of a hot monsoon season and a cool, dry winter. These conditions are perfect for growing Assam tea. Some scientific studies have found black teas such as Assam might have unique health benefits. It is thought Assam reduces the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the human body. Another possible benefit with black tea consumption is the improvement of memory that could possibly counteract the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Assam is also thought to help prevent cancer, malignant tumors and stroke.

Antioxidants

Black tea is known to be full of powerful antioxidants such as polyphenols. In a person's day-to-day life, the body naturally creates molecules called "free radicals" that are known to damage cells and hinder cell activity. Antioxidants neutralize these harmful molecules and can even repair the damage they have caused.

Other Ingredients

Since chai tea has so many natural ingredients, there are other added health benefits besides those from the black tea base. Ginger is believed to aid and repair the digestive and respiratory systems as well as strengthen the immune system. Cloves aid the body in generating heat and can be valuable during the cold and flu season. Cinnamon acts as a catalyst for all the other ingredients. Cardamom is thought to stimulate the mind and improve memory and clarity.

A Healthy Substitute

Chai tea is a healthy substitute for coffee. It has less caffeine and is not as acidic as coffee. In fact, habitual coffee consumption is believed to hinder digestion, agitate ulcers and cause sleep problems. The ingredients in chai, especially ginger, have the opposite effect on the human body.