Chai tea refers to a type of tea (usually black) mixed with various spices. Tea and spices are not only Paleo, they’re an excellent source of antioxidants.
The Health Benefits
Tea has been associated with lower incidences of chronic illness, including heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, and even cancer. Many of the spices that are often included in chai (such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, fennel, and cloves) boast their own health-enhancing properties, such as lowering blood sugar, improving insulin sensitivity, and possibly protecting against cancer.
Make Your Own
That said, chai is more than just tea and spices. If you order a chai latte at Starbucks, you’re getting more milk and sugar than anything else, and that is not Paleo. You can always make your own chai and drink the brewed spicy tea by itself. You can also add some coconut milk and a Paleo-approved sweetener (honey and coconut sugar are both good options). That way you can control everything that goes into your drink and how much.
Mark Sisson gave homemade chai his seal of approval.
