Milk tea or black tea: Which is healthier for you?

Many of us in India start our day with a hot cup of tea as it refreshes our minds and helps to do the household chores. According to a survey by the Tea Board of India, India is the world's second-largest producer of tea and has the highest tea consumption. However, when it comes to black tea or milk tea, a question arises as to which among them is beneficial. So, here we are with the pros and cons to find out which one is better for your health.

Benefits of black tea

Black tea is derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, known for its robust flavour and dark colour. It contains caffeine, antioxidants, and various beneficial compounds, making it a popular choice worldwide. Speaking about the health benefits it is packed with antioxidants, promotes heart health, is good for cognitive function, boosts the immune system, improves digestion and aids in weight loss.

Benefits of milk tea

Milk tea combines black tea with milk, sugar or jaggery. Its nutritional benefits depend on the added ingredients, determining the calorie, sugar, and saturated fat content of milk. Hence, there are both pros and cons of milk tea such as it is good for bones and contains antioxidant elements. However, the cons are High caloric and sugar content, digestive discomfort, bad for oral health, caffeine sensitivity and dehydration.

Which one is better: milk tea or black tea?

A study published by the National Cancer Institute found that drinking at least two cups of black tea daily lowers the risk of death from any cause by almost 9-13 per cent. On the other hand, milk tea combines black tea with milk, providing additional nutrients like calcium and vitamin D. In another study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, milk tea addiction may have a detrimental impact on mental health, such as depression, anxiety, depression and more. Also, it can cause sleep issues, acne, constipation and others.

So it's better to pick black tea over milk tea for health benefits.