Less Is Better: Tea Without Milk

You are what you drink...

Losing weight nowadays is not just a fad created to lure us into going to expensive gyms and subjecting ourselves to over-the-top exercise regimens that instead of making you feel better, can feel like a torture. It is also not about a craze to buy low-fat, low-carbohydrate and calorie diet type of foods and drinks. It is for a very practical reason. Not only will it be very good to our overall body appearance, cut-back on fats and tabs on the hips and thighs and a slimmer waistline but also a good way to keeping ourselves healthy and fit to go about our daily routine and keeping ourselves always ready for any challenge that awaits us- whether it be physically, mentally, or emotionally. Think of it as a good investment for the future.

And if you are that person willing to invest for that kind of future- for yourself and your body, chances are you heard not only of the wonderful taste of the drink but also the additional health benefits drinking teas can do for you.

And you are probably drinking of teas too.

But why is it, you may be asking, that no matter how much you drink tea or is religiously going into your exercise regimen, it seems the results are very slow, slower than a snail if you may add? It seems that the fats do not want to go away. You try very hard to stop yourself from eating and you already tried almost all the health products promising to finally be the solution to your weight problems. Why does it seem not enough?

The problem may lie in not what you drink but how you drink it.

Granted you watch what you eat and drink. You have made yourself "health-conscious." Before you buy any food product, you check on the nutritional label and the calories that each product contains. You buy "diet" products instead of regular food items. You look for the words "low-fat" and "fat-free" and you force yourself not to indulge in your favorite cravings. But what most people take for granted are the facts that despite all the efforts to be conscious on his other food regimen, there are some foods that seem to get past us. For instance, even the drinks we consume, such as tea or coffee can also add to the calorie-intake per day. And it is especially important if this drink of tea or coffee is with a sweetener, like sugar and milk.

And if you are from the Western nations, like United Kingdom, Finland, Ireland and Sweden, chances are you enjoy your tea with milk. Statistics show that 98 percent of tea drinkers in the United Kingdom prefer their tea with milk than green or black teas alone.

So here are some of a few things we need to know and think about before pouring another handful of milk into your tea.

Sometimes, less is better...

And this is the case when it comes to drinking tea plain and solo (and without milk).

According to recent studies, it is better to drink your tea without milk. And wait. Before you go hysterical and incredulous and make a rebuttal as to how tea is good for you and your health, and that the notion of having your tea plain is absurd, here me out.

Yes, milk is really good for us - especially for our bones and for our health. It is a known fact that milk and other dairy products are good sources of calcium, Vitamins A, D and K and they also contain potassium and magnesium.

But let us not forget the other side of the coin. The ugly side if I may add. Milk, despite having a load of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, is also very rich in saturated fats. With this also present in milks, it may even lead you in being at risk of certain cardiovascular disease.

Is this not reason enough to removing milk in your tea?

A more specific reason...

The reason for cutting back on milk in your teas goes on a deeper level. It has something to do with more than milk being a saturated fat source not being good for the heart.

Researchers have shown that the reason tea is a very potent and effective weight loss drink is because of its high levels of polypherols or catechins. In specific, these compounds are theaflavins and thearubigins. These substances are responsible for not only lowering the bad cholesterol in the body but it also prevents unwanted absorption of fat in the body and therefore prevents the occurrence of obesity.

But when tea is mix with another substance, such as milk, an unwanted process takes place. The milk, such as cow's milk, instead of helping tea, acts as a villain in the heroic intentions of tea. With these two combined, the anti oxidant substances of theaflavins and thearubigins and milk protein create a neutralizing effect. What happens is together with milk protein, it causes these two anti oxidants to precipitate. Other researches also show that the culprit for the milk-tea blunder is the compound casein found in milk. Some studies conclude that casein also causes catechins found in teas to be less concentrated and effective.

And this is a sad situation. All the good and health benefits of tea down the drain. Tea would not be as effective as it was supposed to be.

Alternative

Do not fret! If you are one of the thousands of people who do not have the taste buds and the heart of consuming their teas plain and black, there is one good alternative. Change the type of milk you use.

Skimmed, fat-free, or soya milk please...

Some studies state that compared to regular, whole milk, skimmed and fat-free milk is known to have less fat in the body while giving almost the same benefits as regular milk does. So it can also be a better source of calcium and other nutrients.

Another good alternative is try taking soya milk. Soya milk has been known to contain lecithin and not casein. And it is for a fact that lecithin has a dissimilar molecular structure than that of casein so the possibility of this kind of milk causing to eliminating the catechins in teas will be unlikely.

Other factors to consider:

Without milk, drinking black tea is good for your heart.

A German study in 2006 showed that black teas are good for your heart but only when taken without milk. The study showed that drinking black tea may reduce the risk of heart diseases such as aiding the blood vessel and artery structure's dilating abilities as well as preventing the pooling of fats and cholesterols in its arterial surface. This also lowers blood pressure dramatically BUT with the addition of milk with tea destroys this ability.

Milk can also be good for you

A study done in 1984 showed that somehow that tea with milk and sugar can prevent stomach upset. So if you have sensitive stomach, it may be better to take your tea with milk. But I suggest you drink tea with milk but use skimmed, fat free or soya milk instead.

The bottom line...

Most researchers agree that it is not very conclusive that people drinking tea will have to make an abrupt decision - from drinking tea with milk and immediately change lanes and just go for black tea right away. If a person cannot help but drink their tea with milk, just use milk with caution and in moderation. If it is possible, drink it occasionally without milk. So that the chances of you having a heart problem is unlikely. Then see for yourself the results. The ultimate test lies in your hands.

And one more thing: Do not have false hopes and expectations! Do not think that eliminating milk in your tea will instantly mean miraculous weight loss results just like that. Tea is not a magic potion that with just a sip, all those unwanted fats will burn away and you will immediately be transformed to a leaner, healthier body. Other factors should also be taken into consideration when having expectations of losing weight. Here are some of these:


a. Drinking tea is just a supplement, not the end of a means. Factors such as balanced diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle will also be a major player on your goal towards achieving the weight you yearned for.

b. Caution on the food and intake. Control and discipline is the case. Eat a healthy and well-balanced meal. Mix your food with fruits and vegetables. Do not always go for fatty, cholesterol-rich foods.

c. Regulate food intake. Eat food in moderation. Everything should be in a balance. Remember, too much of food, and even anything in this life, is bad for you. Be conscious of regulating your food intake.


d. Make drinking teas a regular habit. To achieve its full potential and enjoy the perks of drinking tea, drink it regularly.

e. Do not crash diet. By crash diet we mean resorting to skipping meals and completely depriving yourself of food. Not only is this bad for your health, but you are also depriving your body of the nutrients it needs. Not only will you not get slimmer, but you will also get fatter instead. For this causes metabolic malfunction and slow down and will cause the body to rebel and instead of burning away the fats, will also store more fats. Control and regulation is the key and not skipping meals.

f. Exercise regularly and be mobile. Despite the hectic and super busy schedule, find time to exercise. Because diet and cutting back on what you eat ALONE will not make you thinner. Yes, you will not get any fatter. But you will not get skinny either. Burn those fats by keeping yourself mobile and on the go. It does not have to be lengthy or complicated. Incorporate it into your daily routine so as not to make it a chore. Taking walks, instead of getting on your car will help. Take the stairs instead of using the elevator is also a plus. Get into a hobby, like sports. Not only will you enjoy the hobby, but also benefit of making yourself fit as well. Take walks in the park and the mall instead of being a couch potato at home. The list goes on.

g. Have a healthy lifestyle. Avoid subjecting yourself to bad habits such as smoking, alcohol drinking and drug abuse. Not only will these impede your weight lose but will also be detrimental to your health. This may likely give you a one-way ticket to the next life.

h. Get a good night's sleep. Do not be a zombie and abuse yourself by not taking the amount of sleep your body needs. Sleep for about 6 to 8 hours a night and not only will you feel rested and refreshed the next day, but you will also allow your body the chance to recuperate and function normally. Therefore, you are also helping your body into naturally burning those fats away.

i. Have a positive attitude and well-being. Smile and keep on shining. See the world in a new light. Have a positive outlook in life. Be kind and the world will be kind to you in return. And this is not just to improve your social status and add your friends in your facebook page. It will also help you lower stress and anxiety. Therefore, the body functions normally and so will ultimately help you reduce weight more.

Drinking tea is good for you. Whether with or without milk, drink it anyway. For it offers a lot of things- the enjoyment of drinking one, and the added health benefits along with the drink. Live a healthy life. Make a fit and healthy lifestyle not just a phase but a daily habit. And you are surely on your way to a slimmer and fitter you.

Huang Jiung,
Chinese Weight Loss Tea for BEGINNERS