You shouldn't add milk to tea if you're seeking its full antioxidant and heart-health benefits, as the casein protein in milk can bind to tea's flavonoids, inhibiting their ability to widen arteries and improve endothelial function, though some studies suggest it just delays absorption or that tea with milk remains healthy overall. For taste, milk can cut bitterness in strong black teas but overwhelms delicate green or white teas, while Ayurvedic traditions advise against milk in medicinal teas.
When milk is added to tea, the proteins can bind with the tea's polyphenols, which might slightly reduce their antioxidant activity. However, this interaction does not negate the health benefits of tea. The remaining antioxidants and the nutrients in milk still offer a healthy beverage.
Gen Z isn't drinking as much milk due to health concerns (lactose intolerance, acne), ethical/environmental worries about dairy farming, the influence of social media promoting alternatives, increased awareness of dairy's downsides, and a desire for healthier, more personalized options like plant-based milks, though they still enjoy other dairy products like cheese and yogurt. They question traditional health advice and are swayed by peer culture and eco-consciousness, leading them toward alternatives for taste, values, and lifestyle fit.
Yes you can but if you are drinking tea for a specific benefit, having the milk in it may cancel out the benefits. Tea contains bitter compounds called ``tannins'' that are beneficial for our health.
Research has also shown that tea may help reduce cardiovascular disease, help lower blood pressure, help reduce ischemic heart disease and stroke, help reduce Type 2 diabetes, help reduce some cancers, and help lower body fat and reduce obesity. Research suggests adding milk reduces its beneficial impact.
Not only was adding milk seen as a means of cooling the tea down and improving on the bitterness of the beverage, it also prevented the boiling water from cracking the porcelain mugs.
Milk can reduce acid reflux
If black tea causes acid reflux or other digestive problems, try adding a splash of milk. This neutralises the acidity of the tea and can prevent stomach problems from occurring - so long as you don't also have a sensitivity to dairy.
Many cultures add milk to their tea. British style tea, Taiwanese milk tea, masala chai and teh tarik are just a few that come to mind. Perhaps as you're reading this you are enjoying a milky tea latte.
Oolong, green, and white teas, as well as aromatic and floral teas should be savoured straight without milk to not spoil the delicate flavour. Very light teas like Darjeelings, can also easily be overwhelmed by milk.
Tea is commonly consumed both with and without milk. As far as I know, the biggest difference in tea consumption between the US and the UK is that here, iced tea is much more common than hot.
Here are a few common reasons: 👉 Lactose Intolerance: Difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar in milk. 👉 Allergies: An immune reaction to milk proteins. 👉 Ethical Choices: Supporting animal welfare and avoiding dairy farming practices.
Dr. Gundry recommends non-dairy alternatives like unsweetened coconut milk or hemp milk, and for dairy, A2 milk from goats, sheep, or specific cows (like Guernsey) that lack the A1 casein protein, all to avoid lectins and support gut health, viewing almond milk as a less ideal C-tier option and strongly cautioning against oat milk, per his {platform and {video content https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QAVMEzqc3yI}}.
Boys are more likely to drink milk than girls, who in turn are more likely to drink a juice (Park & Bae, 1999). However, relatively little is known about the effect of gender differences on beverage consumption patterns in elementary school children.
In Northern Ireland and in the rest of the United Kingdom tea drinking blends and preferences vary. Although typically served with milk, it is also common to drink certain varieties black or with lemon. Sugar is a popular addition to any variety.
Caffeine is a diuretic. Consuming excess milk tea will increase the production of urine in the body and will cause dehydration. It further leads to dizziness, and weakness, and causes unhealthy skin, hair fall and digestion issues as well.
In the pastoral regions of China, such as the Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Tibet, nomadic communities follow the process of initially crushing the tea leaves and subsequently infusing them in boiling water. The tea is then boiled, followed by the addition of milk, which is stirred into the mixture.
Tea without milk preserves the natural antioxidants and beneficial compounds in the tea. These antioxidants help combat free radicals, support heart health, and can aid in weight management. Additionally, without milk, tea retains its unique flavours and aromas, allowing for a fuller appreciation of its nuances.
Different companies began pushing tea bags and they steadily grew in popularity. Nowadays, having a brew with a teabag and adding milk is customary in almost every household in the UK.
Reasons to Avoid Overconsumption of Tea
Serving. Tea in the Arab world is usually a strong dark mix, similar to the so-called "breakfast tea" served in other parts of the world. Often brewed with sugar and served in long glasses, it can also be made with mint or cardamom, or with a dash of milk. In Yemen, black tea is brewed in water and milk.
Adding milk to tea has a few benefits, according to the experts. It can help counteract the tannin's astringent or bitter aspects and adds a few calories and nutrients to an otherwise nutritionally bereft beverage.
Consuming milk tea on an empty stomach can irritate the digestive lining, leading to acidity or bloating. The caffeine in tea and the lactose in milk can stimulate acid production, which may cause discomfort. Tea contains tannins, which bind to dietary iron and reduce its absorption.
To prevent curdling, always warm the milk gently before adding it to the tea. Avoid pouring cold milk directly into very hot tea, and use fresh milk as older milk is more prone to curdling.
11 Morning Drinks to Naturally Kickstart Your Day