Are you a Chai lover? If yes, then you must love trying different types of teas. In today’s fast-paced world, we tend to do everything in a hurry. Tea whitener is a quick way to make chai.
You just boil the water in an electric kettle. Add 1-2 teaspoons of tea whitener of your choice. Mix with sugar if you want, and VOILA! Your quick tea is ready.
But do you have any idea of the tea whitener you so regularly consume? Is it healthy, or harmful? But first we must know what tea whitener is, and why it is a substitute for dairy milk.
Table of Contents
What is Tea Whitener?
Tea whitener is a granular or liquid substance that looks like milk powder, but it isn’t. It is intended to be used in place of milk or cream as an additive to tea, coffee, hot chocolate and other milk-based beverages.
Tea whiteners are known by many other names; tea creamers, coffee creamers, dairy whiteners and non-dairy creamers to name a few.
Tea Whitener Ingredients: How is it Prepared?
The tea whitener is produced synthetically in factories at a large scale. The ingredients which are used in making this powder are:
- Vegetable fat
- Corn syrup
- Emulsifiers
- Stabilizing salts
- Sweeteners
To replicate the mouth feel of a dairy source, the vegetable fats used in tea whiteners may consist of hydrogenated vegetable fats, palm oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil etc. To add a certain flavor, hazelnut or french vanilla may be added.
How is Tea Whitener Different from Dairy Milk?
Dairy milk is a natural product, and it’s exact nutrient content is based on the animal type, breed and feed.
The fats present in dairy milk are natural animal fats, while the fats added in tea whitener come from a plant source. The amount of proteins and carbohydrates in tea whitener is also more than that of dairy milk.
The protein in dairy milk is natural and easily digestible. On the other hand, protein in tea whitener takes longer to digest, and the stomach has to work more. Tea whitener also increases calories in tea while offering no nutritional benefits.
Suggested Read: How many calories are in a cup of tea?
Tea Whitener Side Effects: Is it Harmful?
Some years ago, a hype was created in the media regarding the harmful side effects of tea whitener. There were parliamentary committees to discuss if tea whiteners should be banned.
Even the supreme court of Pakistan gave a verdict that the tea whiteners are fatal for human consumption. This verdict was given after a lot of hullabaloo created by media channels.
But what side effects can a tea whitener do to your health? Let’s get to know:
More Sugars than You Need
Tea whiteners are sweetened artificially, and they contain a high amount of sugars in them. That’s why they are not a healthy option for people who are on a diet and want to cut sugars from their life.
If you are looking to lose weight in a healthy way, the high amount of sugars present in tea whiteners might not be a good idea for you to consume.
Plant-based Fats
The fats present in tea whitener are plant based. It’s not a bad thing, but consuming a lot of tea whitener everyday can put your body at a risk of lower animal fats. You need both plant and animal fats in a moderate amount for a healthy body.
Chemicals
The chemicals are an instant turn-off. But I have to disappoint you because tea whiteners have a large number of chemicals and preservatives in them. These are added to enhance the shelf-life, taste and aroma of tea whiteners.
Whatever anyone says, consuming chemicals on a regular basis cannot be good for overall health.
Hard to Digest Proteins
The proteins in tea whitener are dense, and they are hard to digest. You must have heard of the saying:
‘Dhoodh aik jaldi hazam honay wali ghizaa hai.’
And that’s true. Natural milk is easily digestible. But tea whitener takes a long time to get fully digested, and your stomach has to work overtime. This can get bad if you are consuming 3-4 mugs of tea whitener chai everyday.
Can You Use Tea Whiteners If Dairy Milk is not Available?
Now, the question arises, can you use tea whiteners if dairy milk is not available? Also, what about the people who have lactose intolerance from consuming natural milk?
Well, you will be relieved to know that all packaged milk and tea-whitener brands were falsely characterized as harmful and consumers were told to stop buying them.
After a long process of proving these allegations wrong, some tea-whitener brands have been labeled completely safe. You just have to make sure to do a complete research before buying synthetic milk powders. There are many good options available in the market which are safe to use.
Let’s Wrap Up!
Tea-whiteners, available in powdered and liquid forms, are convenient because they have longer shelf lives. Their ready-to-use nature makes them an easy choice when proper storage and refrigeration for milk is not possible.
The secret to a healthy lifestyle and general well-being is to use everything in moderation. If you are using tea whiteners everyday, and if you experience any potential tea whitener side effects, make sure to consult a well-known general physician in Lahore. You can make an appointment via Healthwire.pk or you can call at (042) 32500989.
