All the chai tea lovers would be well aware of the wonders it does to your body as you take the first sip. It immediately releases stress, calming the nerves and releasing the tightness, giving a liberating feeling. For most people, it might just be psychological but chai tea contains stimulants such as caffeine and tannins that produce a considerable effect on the body.
Chai Tea Vs Coffee
The main stimulator component in both chai and coffee is caffeine but the way it acts on the body for the memory and other functions with both beverages is quite different. The caffeine in chai has a much more stable bond and therefore has a slow release in the body protecting a stimulator effect rather than a rapid excitatory effect.
It increases the diameter of blood vessels, stabilising blood pressure and relieving stress, while coffee has a direct excitatory effect on the heart, increasing the heart rate to a considerable extent.
What is Chai Tea?
Chai has been used in history as a medicinal drug because of its numerous health benefits. Also, it used to be quite expensive back then and therefore only the patients used to have it to relieve cold, fatigue etc. It is made from black tea combined with cardamom, ginger, fennel seeds, cloves and other spices, extensively known as masala chai.
It’s brewed with water and milk with added sugar and tea concentration according to the liking of each individual. Whether you want a warm cosy drink in a freezing evening or a refreshing drink in the summers, chai tea is the perfect beverage to elevate your mood and give you the shot of energy that you need.
Caffeine-Free Chai Tea
Naturally, chai tea does have caffeine but there are many ways to obtain caffeine-free chai tea. It can be synthetic as well as natural but natural is preferred for the most obvious reasons. Some people also go for green tea due to its several benefits, which one are you?
What is a Chai Latte?
The above term is quite confusing because it gives an impression of high caffeine content since it is somehow associated with coffee. However, it is misleading just because the Italian word for milk is a latte, so chai latte is just tea with frothed milk. So the latte does not have to do anything with the caffeine content but the concentration of the tea does. But it is usually in a reasonable amount which is healthy for the body.
Health Benefits of Caffeine in Tea
- Tea provides more stable and longer caffeination than coffee and produces alertness, due to the stimulatory effect of the caffeine with tannins. Tannins prevent caffeine from releasing quickly and therefore the effect is mild and soothing.
- It boosts heart health with the help of flavonoids that prevent the formation of plaques in the major arteries.
- Chai tea contains cholinergic stimulants and therefore enhances the peristalsis of the intestines, improving the digestive system and relieving constipation.
- There are plenty of antioxidants that reduce the free radicals in the body. It is good for cellular health and helps to prevent degenerative diseases.
- The antioxidants and minerals contribute to healthy and glowing skin as they help to improve hydration and promote rejuvenation.
- The healthy constituents of chai tea improve overall health by boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation.
- The most highlighted benefit of chai tea is that it brings alertness, relieves tiredness and improves concentration.
To Wrap it Up!
The caffeine content in natural chai tea is quite balanced and does not cause any negative effects like addiction and sleeping problems etc. the effects may differ for different people based on the psychology and physiology of every individual. However, it is an excellent stimulant to stay alert, active and attentive.
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