Move over ghee coffee, here comes ghee tea

After the widespread popularity of ghee coffee for weight loss, ghee tea seems to be having a moment — at least on the internet. Being touted as a superfood for gut health, period relief, and constipation, many social media posts suggest adding a dollop of ghee to tea.

Taking it a step ahead, dietitian Shilpa Arora even shared a recipe for making this tea. “Add A2 ghee in boiled tea, without milk. It is an age-old Ayurvedic recipe,” Arora suggested. Even YouTuber Simmy Goraya shared her version of this tea, which she said helps prevent period cramps:

Ajwain: 1 or ½ spoon
Milk
Sugar (optional)
¼ teaspoon ghee before drinking.

Should you add ghee to tea? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Is ghee tea that effective?

Ghee tea is a mixture of ghee with a base of traditional tea, usually black or herbal. “A spoonful of ghee is added to a cup of tea, giving it a creamy richness. Ghee contains loads of healthy fats, vitamins, and other beneficial compounds; at the same time, tea contains antioxidants and several other health benefits. This combination is proclaimed to provide a soothing drink that can likely promote digestive health and overall well-being,” said Dr Rohini Patil, MBBS and nutritionist, founder, Nutracy Lifestyle.

On its own, ghee doesn’t offer any hydrating mechanisms, said Dr Patil. However, when it is added to tea, especially herbal varieties traditionally known for mild laxative effects, it can help boost overall fluid intake of vital significance toward avoiding constipation, added Dr Patil.

 

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A post shared by Shilpa Arora (@dr.shilpaarora)

According to Dr Patil, another reason is that ghee, being rich in butyrate — a short-chain fatty acid — helps feed gut health. “Butyrate helps preserve gut lining health and may help reduce inflammation as well as promote bowel movement regularity,” said Dr Patil.

Ghee is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds which may help lower the intensity of menstrual cramping. “By probably lowering inflammation, ghee tea may, therefore, provide relief from the pain related to menstrual cycles,” said Dr Patil.

 

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A post shared by SIMMY (@simmygoraya)

While ghee tea may offer possible advantages, there are a few things one should consider:

Moderation: Ghee is very dense in calories and fat, so enjoy it in moderation and avoid too many additional calories.

Allergies and sensitivities: Since ghee is clarified butter, make sure you don’t have an allergy to dairy. If you are sensitive, then be sure to consult a health professional before giving ghee tea a try.

Consult a professional: If you have chronic constipation or debilitating menstrual cramps, it is of utmost importance to consult a healthcare expert. Ghee tea will definitely support you, but not as a replacement for medical treatments and professional advice, stressed Dr Patil.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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