I am a tea drinker. I do love the smell of coffee. I have friends who love their coffee. We often get into discussions about which one is better. As a tea influencer, I thought I’d take some time and examine the difference between coffee and tea. The pros and cons of tea and coffee. Which one is better.
Of course, you need evidence. This study is on the dietary comparison of tea versus coffee. I spent the day reading this study and then digging deeper into the internet to find the winner. Tea or Coffee!
Coffee
I love (read adore) the scent of roasted coffee. Coffee gets a bad rap sometimes. In the past few years, coffee has been rising from the (roasted) ashes. Coffee is showing itself to have some qualities that give the tea a run for its brewing.
Moderate coffee drinking may lower the risk of aging – This study from Harvard shows that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee a day may lower the drinkers’ risk of premature death. Coffee also aids in preventing heart disease which helps in preventing premature death.
Coffee contains nutrients – Included in a cup of coffee are the nutrients: riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, potassium. These benefit the body in various ways. Drinking one cup of coffee a day can allow these nutrients to build up in the body.
Coffee is also rich in antioxidants – The nutrients in coffee are phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds defined as compounds. These compounds contain hydroxylated aromatic rings. Some studies have shown many people get more antioxidants from coffee than fruits and veggies combined. Wonder if that is because people are not eating as many fruits or veggies?
Coffee also contains polyphenols – a free-radical antioxidant. This helps to fight against inflammation and various metabolic syndrome.
Coffee is shown to protect against type 2 diabetes – Several studies have shown that coffee drinkers significantly reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes. Consuming 6 cups or more per day may lower the risk of diabetes by 22%.
Coffee is shown to be a benefit to Parkinson’s – Even when genetics say different, a study from Sweden shows that drinking coffee reduces the risk of Parkinson’s. There are a couple of interesting studies on the benefits of coffee with Parkinson’s.
Coffee may help fight against certain cancers – The two types of cancer are liver and colorectal. Coffee drinkers have up to 40% lower risk of liver cancer and a 15% lower risk of colorectal cancer. Drinking 4-5 cups per day has shown these results in various studies.
Coffee is psychoactive – It may sound scary but it’s not as bad as it sounds. Coffee is absorbed into the bloodstream. The coffee then travels to the brain, making it one of the few beverages that are psychoactive.
Coffee is the biggest source of caffeine (100-300 mg per cup) – Having a large caffeine content makes coffee one of the biggest natural stimulants in the beverage world. Coffee has a stronger boost and stimulatory effect than tea. This stimulant can improve your physical performance.
Coffee can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s – Evidence from this study indicates coffee’s roasted compounds can help fight the plaque building in the brain linked to causing Alzheimer’s.
Coffee fights drowsiness – The caffeine in coffee blocks adenosine which allows increased alertness and reduces fatigue. Adenosine promotes sleep, by blocking it allows the body to be more away and feeling less tired.
Coffee increases alertness – The caffeine in coffee is a mild stimulant to the central nervous system. Depending on how much coffee you consume, it can help your mental performance and keep you alert. Caffeine also helps to keep your focus and concentration as well. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. It reaches the brain and makes you feel less tired and awake.
Coffee can increase your fiber intake – One cup of brewed coffee contains up to 1.8 grams of fiber. Coffee beans contain fiber and some of that fiber can make it to your cup. The type of fiber in coffee dissolves in water. This helps prevent cholesterol from being absorbed by the intestines.
Cons Of Drinking Coffee
Cholesterol – espresso coffee has is shown to raise cholesterol levels
Digestive issues – may cause stomach issues
The weakening of the bones – may cause a weakening of the bones (four cups or more a day)
Coffee has a stronger boost and stimulatory effect than tea – Can also be overboard and affect you in a negative way.
Coffee is psychoactive – Coffee is absorbed into the bloodstream. The coffee then travels to the brain, making it one of the few beverages that are psychoactive.
Diuretic – may cause dehydration if you drink too much and do not hydrate with water or another beverage
Sugar – Sugar is not a great substance and something we do not need (we want it). It will enhance the flavor of your beverage. You have to weigh the risks with the desire for taste.
Caffeine
- is higher than tea and may cause jitters and anxiousness
- May affect blood pressure (rasing)
- 2 cups or more may raise your risk of heart disease
- The biggest source of caffeine (100-300 mg per cup)
- Stimulates the nervous system
- fights drowsiness
- increases alertness
Tea
Tea comes from a singular plant. The Camellia Sinensis is a powerhouse amongst health and comforting drinks. Tea has a huge following of health benefits. It appears that tea is one of the healthiest drinks on earth. Tea can aid in your digestion, help you sleep, make your bones stronger, help you age slower and so much more.
Tea has less caffeine than coffee – This is a big win in the health benefits of tea. On an average per cup of
Tea contains antioxidants – Scientists believe molecules called free radicals can contribute to the aging process. They also may play a part in diseases, like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Antioxidants are believed to help stop or limit the damage caused by free radicals. White tea is less processed than green or black and contains more good antioxidants.
Tea may keep your smile bright – Tea can change the PH in your mouth while drinking. That change may help your teeth and prevent loss, plaque, and cavities. Tea also does not destroy tooth enamel like so many other drinks. Also, a cup of tea contains fluoride, which is good for the teeth
Tea may boost your immune system – Studies have shown tea can tune up immune cells so they reach their targets quicker. Tea helps our immune system with free-radical fighting antioxidants. Tea is also high in oxygen radical absorbance capacity. This helps fight the free radicals which attack the body’s DNA. Our bodies fight free radicals and work to bring our bodies into a strong cellular presence. Tea helps our bodies do a more efficient battle.
Tea may help battle cancer – When our cells are weak or damaged tea will help the body fight to repair the cells via antioxidants. Drinking tea is one way to add more antioxidants to the body. These antioxidants help cells fight against diseases such as cancer. There is not a lot of studies in this area however it is proven that tea can add antioxidants to the body and worth the try.
Tea may reduce your risk of a heart attack – In fact, an article published earlier this year combined data from a host of earlier reports. These reports found a nearly 20 percent reduction in the risk of a heart attack. It also found a 35 percent reduced risk of stroke among those who drank one to three cups of green tea a day. Those who drank four or more cups of green tea daily had a 32 percent reduction in the risk of having a heart attack and lower levels of LDL cholesterol.
You can get the same benefit from drinking article. Matcha tea is made from ground green tea leaves. It is said to be the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regular green tea.
Tea may help protect your bones – Data from recent animal studies have shown that green tea may prevent bone loss. While rats are not human, the studies suggest that tea specifically green tea helps body composition and bone properties.
Tea helps protect the brain – l-Theanine is an amino acid found naturally in tea. One study showed an increase in memory and focus in several different areas. Reaction time also increased. Three cups or more per day or either green or
Increased memory – Studies have also shown that attention span can help deter dementia. Polyphenols in green tea may help maintain the parts of the brain that regulate learning and memory.
Diabetes – Tea can help protect the body of Type 2 diabetes. Tea can help by helping the body process sugars
Tea benefits the eyes – The catechins in tea, especially Studies have been shown to penetrate the eyes and protect the tissue of the eyes from glaucoma. These antioxidants are massive disease fighters. They work with and aid the body in fighting many different diseases.
Cons of drinking tea
Stained teeth – It’s true, tea can stain your teeth. I’ve had friends go so far to try drinking tea from a straw before an event to keep their teeth white.
Iron absorption – Tea is high in tannins. While this is an antioxidant it can interfere with the absorption of plant-based iron from foods like beans or green vegetables.
Caffeine – The caffeine in tea can be a con if it affects your body in a negative way. While the caffeine is lower you can still have a reaction to it.
Sweeteners – If you are adding a lot of sweeteners to your tea this can have a negative effect on your body.
Moderation – Make sure no matter what you drink you are doing so in moderation. Too much of even a good thing can make it a bad thing real fast.
Conclusion
There clearly is a winner in the battle between the cups. The decision has been made and YOU get to pick the winner. Because in this battle of coffee and tea the winner is chosen by you, the cup holder, and drinker.
I compared both tea and coffee and there is no clear winner. That also means there is no clear loser either. The choice is made by you and your needs (or desire for tea and coffee). Each having its own virtues and downfalls
So, what’s in your cup? That’s the winner for you.
Oh, and if you like and consume both tea and coffee you’ve got a great team of powerhouse beverages ready to do some amazing things for you.
