Is Your Milk Tea as Healthy as You Think?

Milk tea, a widely loved beverage across the globe, combines the antioxidant benefits of tea with the calcium in milk. However, nutrition experts are warning that the health impacts of milk tea are determined by its preparation and the time it’s consumed. HealthWatch, a leading nutrition advisory in the U.S., emphasizes that milk tea with added sugars and high-fat milk can quickly become a calorie-heavy drink, potentially diminishing its health benefits. Additionally, recent studies have shown that drinking milk tea early in the day, particularly on an empty stomach, may have unexpected drawbacks.

Reasons to Avoid Milk Tea in the Morning

1. Disrupts Digestion: Drinking milk tea on an empty stomach can irritate the digestive lining, causing acidity and bloating. The caffeine and lactose in milk can stimulate acid production, leading to discomfort.
2. Interferes with Iron Absorption: The tannins in tea bind with dietary iron, reducing its absorption. Early morning consumption might limit the iron intake from later meals.
3. Causes Nausea: Without food, milk tea’s caffeine and tannins may cause nausea, upsetting the stomach lining.
4. Triggers Acidity: Caffeine and tannins can raise stomach acid levels, leading to acid reflux or heartburn, particularly when consumed first thing in the morning.
5. Elevates Cortisol Levels: Milk tea can spike cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to potential anxiety or hormonal imbalance. Starting the day with heightened cortisol may affect stress response.
6. Reduces Nutrient Absorption: Milk tea can impair absorption of essential nutrients like magnesium and calcium from other meals.
7. May Lead to Dependency: Habitual milk tea consumption in the morning might foster caffeine dependency, which could result in withdrawal symptoms like headaches or irritability.
8. Promotes Weight Gain: Adding sugar and full-fat milk increases calories, potentially contributing to weight gain, especially if consumed when metabolism is slower.
9. Disrupts Natural Detox: Early morning is the body’s detox time. Consuming milk tea can disrupt this process, particularly due to caffeine’s impact on liver functions.
10. Causes Dehydration: The diuretic effect of tea promotes fluid loss. Drinking milk tea without sufficient water intake can lead to mild dehydration, affecting energy levels.

For those who enjoy milk tea, experts recommend modifying its preparation by reducing sugar and opting for low-fat milk to make it a healthier option.