What Is Thai Tea? Everything You Need to Know About This Sweet, Spiced Delight

Thai tea may offer some health benefits, including anti-inflammatory potential, prebiotic functions, and more. These benefits can be attributed to the following components of Thai tea.

Black tea

Black tea contains antioxidants and chemical compounds that may help decrease inflammation in the body. For this reason, it may provide a bunch of health benefits, including chronic disease prevention.

Clinical studies suggest that drinking black tea may protect against diabetes and heart disease and may support weight loss efforts (5).

In fact, black tea polyphenols (powerful, naturally occurring antioxidants) may aid in weight loss more effectively than green tea polyphenols, although green tea is more often lauded as a metabolism booster (6).

Read more about the differences between black and green teas here.

Lisa Andrews, a registered dietitian at Sound Bites Nutrition, said black tea contains significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.

“Black tea contains polyphenolic compounds, such as theaflavins and thearubigins, that may help protect against cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease,” Andrews told Healthline via email.

One review suggests that back tea polyphenols have a beneficial effect on obesity management (7).

However, more studies are necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn regarding the impact of black tea consumption on weight.

The benefits of black tea extend further.

Based on recent research in rodents, the gut microbiome may benefit from black tea, according to Andrews.

“It’s been found to increase short-chain fatty acid production and the diversity of the gut microbiome, but reduce Lactobacillus bacteria in the gut of healthy rats,” she said.

The gut microbiome is made up of approximately 100 trillion microorganisms living in our bodies, and they all have different purposes. Some help fight disease, while others keep you healthy (8).

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A diverse gut microbiome is more robust and resilient than having just one or two kinds of bacteria. And it may help you fight disease and stay healthier (8).

Tea has also been linked to other advantages, such as brain health.

In fact, the antioxidant activity of tea polyphenols may reduce oxidative stress, which might aid in preventing Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease (9).

Oxidative stress occurs when cell-damaging, unstable oxygen atoms (commonly known as free radicals) interact with other cells in the body. People with accelerated free radical production may be at a higher risk of developing certain chronic health conditions (10).

Summary

Black tea contains antioxidants that help lower inflammation in the body, preventing chronic diseases and promoting brain health. The gut microbiome may also benefit from consuming black tea.

Cardamom

Cardamom has a strong flavor and aroma. It can be used fresh or ground to give Thai tea its distinctive flavor.

“According to phytochemical analyses, cardamom contains several chemical compounds, including carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, lipids, essential oils, flavonoids, terpenoids, and carotenoids,” said Andrews.

Cardamom has been linked to improved diabetes management and lower triglyceride levels.

“A small study in subjects with diabetes found that cardamom supplementation aids in reducing Hba1c [average blood sugar level], insulin, and triglycerides,” Andrews explained (11).

Summary

Cardamom contains numerous chemical compounds, which may help with diabetes management and lowering triglycerides.

Star anise

Star anise adds a licorice flavor to Thai tea, which cuts through the creamy sweetness.

Aside from its use as a spice, star anise is popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine for its antiviral properties (12).

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“It’s a medicinal herb,” Andrews said, “with several health properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory.”

What’s more, star anise is also used in Western medicine to help combat influenza, Andrews explained.

“Star anise is the major source of shikimic acid, a main ingredient in the antiflu drug (Tamiflu),” she said.

More research is needed into star anise’s effects, though. It’s a good idea to talk with a medical professional if you’re not feeling well.

Summary

Star anise is a medicinal herb with antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Tamarind seed

Fruit seeds, such as tamarind seeds, are high in biologically active phytochemicals (plant compounds with antioxidant properties) — especially flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamin C, and carotenoids (13).

According to Andrews, tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) may have beneficial effects on bowel bacteria.

“TSP promotes beneficial bacterial growth,” she told Healthline, “which researchers believe may have prebiotic functions, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and maintenance of the intestinal gut barrier” (14).

Prebiotics are a type of dietary fiber that nourishes the friendly bacteria in your gut, which may improve not only your digestive system but also your general health.

TSP may also be used as a thickening agent in food and medicinal products, Andrews explained.

“It’s been found in some studies to be a good substitute [for] or used in conjunction with hyaluronic acid for injection compounds for arthritis,” she said.

Summary

The tamarind seed has numerous biologically active compounds, which have been shown to have antioxidant properties and may also promote beneficial gut bacteria.