While many enjoy chai tea for its fragrant aroma and spicy kick, some like to consume it due to the potential health benefits it offers. Here are three health benefits commonly associated with drinking chai tea.

According to studies, the type of black tea typically used in making chai tea contains compounds that promote fat breakdown. These components can even help reduce the calories the body absorbs from food. 

In fact, this study shows that drinking at least three cups of black tea a day may help prevent unwanted weight gain. However, it should be noted that these studies point to rather small effects on body weight and have only been observed to work over a short period. 

Chai tea has also been linked to improved heart health. According to studies conducted on animals, cinnamon can potentially lower blood pressure. And cinnamon is one of the main ingredients of chai tea. 

In one study of 60 participants with type 2 diabetes, half of them consumed one to three grams of cinnamon a day for 40 days, while the other half received placebo capsules. The study showed that the participants that took a daily amount of cinnamon showed reduced levels of total cholesterol by 12 to 26 per cent.

While this is great news, it should be noted that the amount of cinnamon in chai tea is much less than the amount of cinnamon used in the study. However, in an updated review on the use of cinnamon in type 2 diabetes, researchers found that cinnamon doses as little as 120 mg a day may be enough to reap the same benefits. 

In addition to cinnamon, black tea—another main ingredient of chai tea—is shown to contribute to the lowering of blood cholesterol levels. By drinking at least four cups of black tea per day, you may slightly reduce your blood pressure levels. 

Cinnamon and ginger are two ingredients found in chai latte. But that’s not the only thing they have in common. Both cinnamon and ginger may play a role in reducing blood sugar levels.

In some studies, researchers found that cinnamon can potentially reduce insulin resistance and fasting blood sugar levels by 10 to 29 per cent. When insulin resistance is lowered, the body will find it easier to use insulin to move the sugar from your blood into the cells. 

Researchers also studied the effect of ginger on fasting blood sugar. In the study, participants with type 2 diabetes were given two grams of ginger powder daily for 12 weeks. After the 12-week period, the blood sugar levels significantly dropped by 12 per cent. But just like cinnamon, the ginger doses given in the study are much higher than what you typically find in chai tea. 

While some ingredients in chai tea have shown potential health benefits, there are not enough studies focusing on the effect of chai tea on your health. We cannot yet definitely say that chai tea can offer all these benefits. However, the possibility is still out there, and the results we’ve gathered from different scientific studies show a lot of promise.

Get some delicious chai from the best Indian restaurant near London Bridge. Tower Tandoori is one of London’s oldest Indian restaurants, with many famous faces having spent an evening at the Tower. Today, many people still flock to the restaurant to experience a wide variety of authentic Indian dishes. Book a table now!