Health Benefits of Coffee vs. Tea: Which One is Better For You?

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Health Benefits of Coffee vs. Tea: Which One is Better For You?

The debate rages on for some people to find out which is the better drink to consume. Both tea and coffee have particular health benefits and some negatives which may affect some consumers. After speaking to a nutritionist I have concluded that there is no all-conquering hot beverage, it is determined by how each consumers’ body reacts to the complexities of caffeine and toxins found inside.

I have detailed some of the pros and cons of each beverage below to help you compare the drinks and make an educated decision on which one you should be drinking if any.

Coffee

The first use of coffee is undocumented but is likely to have been consumed in Eastern Africa or the Middle East around 600 years ago. Today, coffee is consumed in every part of the world and is seen as a major commodity. Coffee can be brewed a number of different ways, all of which yield different caffeine levels. Of the brewing methods, the most common are: espresso, stovetop, french press, pour over & cold brew. If you’re after a fine morning kick then espresso is a perfect choice, coming in at first place for the amount of caffeine in one serving, followed by the cold brew process, which comes second, but is hampered by a much longer brewing time. Besides all the peculiarities of the brewing methods, time, and process, there are many differences in the coffee beans themselves which can lead to quite a unique experience. Black coffee tastes more intense while white coffee is more sweet and light. To learn more about white coffee, its taste profile, and texture, you should check out a great guide by The Darkest Roast that will break down what exactly white coffee is.

The Good

Better Body: Drinking Coffee has been found to give a performance boost of 10-11% for physical workouts.

Type 2 Diabetes: Studies have shown that even with minimal consumption of coffee you can lower the risk of having Type 2 Diabetes.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Normally affecting people in their later years, these diseases may be less likely if you drink coffee, eat healthily and exercise regularly.

Healthy Liver: Drinking coffee will reduce the likelihood of having cirrhosis of the liver, even for those who drink too much alcohol.

Antioxidants: For those who live on a western diet, you may find that coffee is the best source of antioxidants. Most people get more of these beneficial food sources through coffee than through fruit and vegetables.

And the Bad

Stomach Problems: Coffee tastes great, but it can do some harm to those with a stomach condition. It is advised that people suffering from IBS, ulcers or Crohns disease should avoid drinking coffee until their health improves.

Sleepless and Anxious: As with any stimulant, if you have more than your body should you may feel restless and anxious and have problems sleeping. Reducing the amount you consume and not drinking close to bedtime will help.

Attacks of Gout: A heavy coffee drinker may be more susceptible to attacks of gout. Should you develop gout, you should cease your coffee consumption and consult your doctor.

Tea

The Chinese have been avid tea drinkers since as far back as 2750 BC, making tea one of the oldest drinks known to man. During that period there have been numerous claims that tea cures almost any illness. While not exactly accurate, it does have some impressive health benefits. There are many varieties of herbal teas on the market today, but these are not real teas, they are just an infusion of plants to create a taste. We are focussing on the four real teas which are green, black, white and oolong tea.

The Good

Boost exercise and endurance: It has been found that antioxidants in tea can help you to burn fat for energy which increases muscle endurance.

Healthier Heart: Tea appears to help protect our cardiovascular system and reduces the chance of a heart attack for regular drinkers.

Cancer Protection: Antioxidants have been found to help reduce the risk of cancers including breast, lung, stomach, ovarian and prostate.

Lower Parkinson’s Risks: Drinking tea as part of a healthy lifestyle has been noted to help reduce the likelihood of acquiring Parkinson’s disease.

Diabetic Help: Studies have shown that tea can help those who have type 2 diabetes in processing sugar, making their condition more manageable.

And The Bad

Sleeping Disorders: Much like coffee, tea also contains the stimulant, caffeine. And much like its counterpart, ingesting too much caffeine during the day can lead to restless nights.

Restlessness and anxiety: If you drink too much tea you may feel anxious and have an elevated heart rate. This can be managed by reducing your intake.

Pregnancy: Women who are pregnant are advised not to take caffeine during pregnancy to avoid any health problems.

Which is best?

There is no clear outright winner when comparing coffee and tea, and both have a host of benefits. Although I have included a few of the bad points, these are only necessary for those who drink too much and don’t regulate their intake.

For people looking to start the day with a bang, strong coffee in the morning will be best. For those looking for a little extra energy in the afternoon, a cup of tea will be what’s needed.

The only real way to tell if you get any positive side effects from drinking tea or coffee is to try it and keep a note of how much caffeine is in each cup. After a few days, you will get a clear picture of how much you can drink and get the benefits without the adverse side effects.

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