Chai Tea: 5 Health Benefits

You've probably tasted or at least seen chai tea on a menu at some point. Chai is a popular drink staple in tea and coffee shops, in both hot and iced forms. If you're not careful, chai tea can be full of less-than-healthy ingredients, like added sugar or artificial flavors. That's why it's important to always check your labels. Traditional chai tea is filled with beneficial ingredients. Chai tea health benefits include improved digestion, a reduced risk of heart disease and lower inflammation levels.

Chai Tea Health Benefits

1. Reduces Inflammation

Thanks to the anti-inflammatory ingredients it contains, chai tea health benefits include lower inflammation levels. Clove, ginger and cinnamon work to fight inflammation that causes disease, such as arthritis. Studies have shown that ginger can help reduce inflammatory reactions in rheumatoid arthritis just as effectively as steroids. Chai tea health benefits work to reduce both acute and chronic inflammation. (1)

2. Treats Nausea

Chai tea health benefits include the ability to reduce nausea, thanks to the soothing compounds it contains. Chai contains ginger, which works as a natural remedy for an upset stomach. Ginger can help reduce nausea, vomiting and discomfort caused by motion sickness. Chai tea health benefits also include reduced nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Ginger contains bioactive compounds including ginergol and shogoal. These compounds have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which work to heal an upset stomach. (2)

3. Provides the Body With Antioxidants

Natural teas are loaded with antioxidants called polyphenols. Polypehnols are responsible for many of chai tea's health benefits. They help rid the body of free radicals that can cause damage. Chai tea has even more antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols work to keep your skin radiant and your immune system strong.

4. Aids in Digestion

Chai tea health benefits include an improved digestive system. Many spices are known to aid in digestion, including black pepper. It supports the pancreas in secreting digestive enzymes to help speed up the process of digesting fats and proteins. Studies have shown that a combination of anti-inflammatory spices, including those in chai tea, can help improve gut health. Cardamom, ginger, fennel, clove and black pepper showed the biggest improvement in digestion and overall gut health.

5. Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease

Chai tea health benefits include a reduced risk of heart disease, thanks in part to cinnamon. Studies have shown that cinnamon an help regulate blood sugar levels and stabilize cholesterol and triglycerides. Cinnamon can also help naturally reduce blood pressure. Chai tea health benefits that stem from cinnamon act as a natural defense against both heart disease and diabetes. Cinnamon contains healing compounds that work to combat diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. Research has shown that cinnamon can also help fight Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. (3)