Observational study of effect of excessive consumption of Milk Tea on Agni, Annavaha Srotas and Rasavaha Srotas.

Tea holds the title of being the most widely consumed beverage globally. India, following China, stands as the second-largest producer of tea worldwide, while also boasting the highest tea consumption rates globally. Approximately 80% of the tea produced in India is consumed domestically, with around 64% of the country’s population being regular tea drinkers.

According to historical records, tea was first used as a medicinal beverage before the ancient Chinese started drinking it. Today, someone may reject drinking coffee, Coca-Cola and other modern beverages with various different reasons, including the reasons for religious belief, but nobody can refuse to drink tea. In modern-day India, consuming tea has become an abundant part of daily life, like to eating meals, across both rural and urban areas.

Even though tea is traditionally consumed without any additives, in numerous Asian cultures, the addition of milk is a widespread practice.Milk addition to tea can decrease or completely inhibit tea antioxidant properties.

Based on the results of previously published studies with consideration of the variations among individuals, tea type, milk type, and methods of assessing antioxidant properties, the evidence appears to point toward a negative (masking) effect for adding milk, especially skimmed milk, to tea beverages because of the putative association between tea polyphenols (such as catechins) and milk proteins (specifically caseins). Furthermore, it appears that the role of milk fat has been neglected, despite milk containing fat globuleswhich may interact with tea catechins as well. The negative effects of the addition of milk on the activity of tea antioxidant have been broadly reported.

As per references, Chinese people started drinking tea as medicinal beverage in the form of decoction which must be in limited quantity. But if it is consumed in excessive quantity it can act as causative factor in the body.Considering this excessive quantity of Milk Tea as Aaharaj Hetu, it can first affect Agni and then pathogenesis proceeds further. In the sequence of pathology Annavaha and Rasavaha Srotas get affected primarily. So the effect of excessive consumption of milk tea can be explored primarily on these specific Srotas & Agni. If we study excessive consumption of milk tea in Ayurvedic perspective we can state its disadvantages accordingly and can advise Nidan Parivarjan to patients which will be half treatment for them.

Conduct of procedure:

1.      Enrollment of Volunteers: Volunteers fulfilling inclusion criteria will be enrolled in the study. The above topic and methodology will be explained to the volunteers. Then consent form will be signed by volunteers.

2.      Frequency per day and the duration of tea consumption these details will be noted.

3.      The effect on Agni, Annavaha, Rasavaha Srotas will be noted.

4.      Statistical analysis of effect on Annavaha & Rasavaha Srotas will be done on the basis of Annavaha & Rasavaha Srotodushti Lakshanas mentioned in Charak Samhita Vimansthan 5th Chapter and Charak Samhita Sutrasthan 28th Chapter respectively. Special questionnaire will be prepared for the study and will be validated.

5.      Assessment of Agni will be done on the basis of its types. The special questionnaire will be prepared and validated for the same.

6.      Discussion of effects of excessive consumption of Milk Tea on Agni & Annavaha, Rasavaha Srotas will be done.

7.      Conclusion will be drawn based on observations and discussion.