Tea vs Coffee: Which Is Better for Your Health?
There's one lifestyle choice, though, that seems to define us more succinctly than either our fondness for certain domestic creatures or our exercise habits ever could. It's a choice that may seem trivial on the surface but that is, at its core, utterly divisive. And that is our choice of hot-water-based beverages. Are you a tea or a coffee drinker?
In this article, we will lay out some of the benefits of drinking coffee and tea so you can either cement your choice of beverage or see if you could be tempted to switch. With a fair few reasons to drink each, you may even consider sipping both – just make sure you drink them without milk or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Coffee: It’s possible that not all of you know what antioxidants are, but you’re probably aware that they’re good for you. Antioxidants are agents that prevent the oxidation of cells – a process related to aging. Coffee, both regular and decaf, is full of antioxidants, and it’s possible that they can help combat cell decay, keeping your cells healthy and your whole system running normally. Studies have shown that you can get more antioxidants from coffee than any other food group, and this may be the ultimate source of the health benefits of coffee listed below.
Tea: Green tea also packs a powerful antioxidant punch, but the types of antioxidant are different. Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins, which fight cell damage. Some studies have even linked a high rate of consumption of catechins with low rates of cancer.
Verdict: If you’re looking for a hot beverage that will offer the most antioxidants per cup, choose coffee. If you want to get as many different types of antioxidant as possible in order to maximize your protection from cell damage, mix it up by drinking coffee in the morning and green tea in the afternoon.
2. Heart health
Coffee: The Harvard School of Public Health conducted a study that concluded that people who drank four cups of coffee a day were 11% less likely to suffer from heart failure than non-coffee drinkers. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health also led a review of 15 different studies that revealed a correlation between people who reported drinking lots of coffee and their likelihood of developing type II diabetes. Those in the study who drank more than six or seven cups a day were 35% less likely to develop the disease compared to participants who drank two cups or fewer. Because diabetes can increase your risk of heart disease, it’s also possible that the reduced risk of diabetes that coffee has shown to provide contributes to the link between coffee and heart failure.
Tea: Green tea's aforementioned catechins (the antioxidants that fight cell damage) also lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and can help keep your heart and circulatory system strong. Catechins are present in much higher levels in green tea than black tea because they are easily destroyed during processing.
Verdict: Congratulations! Whether you’re a coffee or a tea drinker, you’re helping your heart.
3. Brainpower
Coffee: Many studies have shown that the more coffee you drink, the lower your risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Results from these studies are varied, but some have observed as much as a 65% reduction in the risk of developing these diseases. Researchers think it’s the caffeine in coffee that does the trick, as decaf coffee drinkers don’t enjoy the same benefits.
Tea: Studies have shown that green tea can help stimulate the parts of the brain engaged in memory and that it can help stave off diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Drink several cups a day to help keep your brain sharp in old age.
Verdict: When it comes to caffeine, it looks like you can apply the “the more the merrier” ethos to maximize your brain health as you age. If you can’t handle all the caffeine that coffee offers, you can still protect your noggin with nice cuppa.
4. Creating a ritual
Coffee: Just as having a winding-down routine at the end of the day can help you fall asleep, having a morning ritual can also help you get in the zone for whatever demands your energy for the day. If the ritual of preparing and drinking coffee (not to mention the caffeine buzz it gives you) helps you to start your morning off on the right foot, then that's all the more reason to allow it to do so.
Tea: While green tea also packs a healthy dose of caffeine, it doesn't have as much caffeine as coffee does. But, unlike coffee, it’s gentle on the stomach, won’t stain your teeth, and is cheap and easy to get in China. It’s also very relaxing to prepare, so can add a calming element to your routine just as well as coffee can.
Verdict: Can’t start your day until you leave your favorite coffee shop with a cup of joe? Need to watch your tea brew for a good 10 minutes to help get over your mid-afternoon slump? Whether your cup runneth over with tea or coffee, you’ll get a sense of structure if you’re sipping at the same time every day. This can help you focus on your work or help you feel more settled in your daily routine.
Bottom line
Both tea and coffee offer a heap of antioxidants and provide anti-inflammatory benefits, which have been shown to reduce your risk of a whole host of diseases. There are more antioxidants in coffee, but the anti-inflammatory effects of tea are better documented. Caffeine has been shown to protect the brain as you age and coffee will give you a higher dose, allowing you to cash out on these benefits.
Studies about coffee and tea and their effects on the body are still coming out, and there is some dispute about some of the results that have been published thus far. Before making any changes to your diet, please consult your doctor.
This article was fact-checked by Dr. Melissa Rodriguez, a naturopathic doctor specializing in integrative medicine. If you are interested in the health benefits of tea and coffee and have more health questions related to healthy eating (and drinking!), she can advise you. She can help treat chronic issues with natural remedies and provide advice about maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. To make an appointment with her, call the BJU Service Center at 4008-919191.
Keen to hear more from Dr. Melissa?