LK INNOVATE

By Dr Lokman Khan, Bradford

Adding milk to tea is a common practice, especially in places like Great Britain. Let’s explore the impact of this combination on the antioxidant quality of tea.

Tea and Antioxidants:

• Both green and black teas are rich in flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. These compounds help combat cell damage caused by free radicals and are associated with heart health and reduced cancer risk.
• Green tea contains catechins, while black tea has theaflavins¹.

Milk and Nutrients:

• Milk provides essential nutrients like protein, calcium, and potassiumthat contribute to growth and bone health¹.
• Combining tea and milk might seem beneficial due to their individual health-promoting properties.

Mixed Research Findings:

Some studies suggest that milk proteins, particularly casein, may interfere with the absorption and antioxidant activity of tea compounds. For instance: * One study found that drinking plain black tea increased blood flow, but adding skim milk did not have the same effect. Casein in milk may bind to flavonoids in tea, potentially reducing their activity¹. * However, another study observed that adding milk to black tea did not inhibit the increase in blood levels of antioxidant flavonoids¹.

Overall Conclusion:

• Adding milk to tea does not entirely eliminate antioxidants, but it may reduce their availability.
• Despite this, tea with milk still offers overall health benefits, including hydration, vitamins, minerals, and potential synergistic effects between tea compounds and milk proteins¹⁴.

In summary, while milk may slightly affect the antioxidant capacity of tea, the overall health benefits of tea with milk remain positive. Enjoy your cup of tea, whether with or without milk! 🍵🥛

References

(1) What Are the Benefits of Drinking Tea with Milk? – Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/the-benefits-of-tea-with-milk. (2) Does Putting Milk In Tea Kill The Antioxidants? – JuicerAdvices. https://juiceradvices.com/does-putting-milk-in-tea-kill-the-antioxidants/. (3) Tea | The Nutrition Source – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/tea/. (4) Does Adding Milk to Tea Kill the Antioxidants? – Clean Eating. https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/clean-experts/does-adding-milk-to-tea-kill-the-antioxidants/. (5) What science says about getting the most out of your tea. https://theconversation.com/what-science-says-about-getting-the-most-out-of-your-tea-75767.