Tea was first made by the ancient Chinese. Although it became popular in India by the colonists, it is the most common and loved beverage of our nation. Tea can be sipped with or without milk. But if you want the health benefits of the tea leaves, it must be consumed without milk and of course sans sugar also. Let's see how it will improve our health.

Cardio-Vascular System  Studies have found that tea has the ability to protect us against heart diseases. This is due to the presence of molecules called 'catechins', which help dilate the blood vessels. According to a European Heart-Journal paper, certain proteins called 'caseins' in the milk reduce the concentration of catechins in tea.

Weight loss  A study in Japan under Dr. Hiroaki Yajima claims that drinking tea helps in weight loss and adding milk prevents those benefits. According to Dr Devajit Borthakur, a scientist at the Tea Research Association, tea contains high level of compounds known as 'theaflavins' and 'thearubigins' that help in reducing the amount of fat absorbed by the gut and hence can cut cholesterol. When milk is added, these compounds form complexes with the milk protein which cause them to precipitate.

Digestive System  The Ayurveda points out that tea is another herb like many other medicinal herbs such as Tulsi (Holy Basil). Even though we boil water with other herbs leaves, there never existed a practice of adding milk or sugar to it. Milk as a product is not easily digestible, and hence added to tea, it results in overworking of our liver and digestive system.