The battle between tea and coffee is definitely a battle worth watching.
Are you a coffee person or a tea person? Do you prefer freshly brewed coffee or a warm and gentle tea? Traditionally, tea has been known to induce relaxation after a long day while coffee boosts energy and brainpower in the morning. But is one better than the other?
Whatever your preference is,scientists have found out that both are good sources of antioxidants and both possess negative qualities too.
We took a look at some researches and here’s what we found out-
1.Caffeine Content
The first round of the battle is the caffeine content. The health benefits of caffeine lay largely in its ability to help us stay focused and alert. Caffeine works on a chemical level to block adenosine — a neurotransmitter that triggers relaxation. Caffeine is a go-to pick-me-up for many people when it comes to starting the day off right or powering through a sluggish afternoon or to stay awake late at night.
It’s a common known fact that coffee has got a lot more caffeine than tea. However, tea leaves contain more naturally occurring caffeine that unfiltered coffee beans do. The difference is that coffee is a strongly brewed beverage while tea is an infusion that is generally weaker.
Coffee is typically brewed at higher temperatures, which allows more of the caffeine molecules to release from the beans into your cup of coffee. Tea on the other hand, is brewed at lower temperatures where all of the caffeine isn’t extracted from the leaves. Coffee also has higher levels of caffeine since we consume the entire bean. For tea, the leaves are discarded along with a significant portion of the naturally occurring caffeine.
Although coffee contains more caffeine than tea, tea has other chemical compounds that boost attention and focus. Many teas including true teas contain an amino acid known as l-theanine. This amino acid helps to increase alertness, but delivers the energy more smoothly than coffee.
So the Winner here is Tea because
tea delivers an energy boost that is more relaxed and has fewer side effects compared to coffee.
2.Taste
On the whole, coffee tends to be more bitter and strong-flavored than teas. Coffee is more acidic resulting in bold, astringent flavors. These strong tastes and chemical profiles mean that coffee can be harsh on your stomach, especially when consumed in excessive amounts.
Tea offers thousands of flavors depending on the variety and where it has grown. Real tea, or true tea consists only of green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong tea. All other types are considered herbal tisanes and do not come from the actual tea plant.
Taste is ultimately a matter of personal preference.One person may enjoy the delicate flavor profile of floral tea while another person may prefer strong dark flavours of coffee. Whichever beverage you choose, make sure to avoid adding artificial sweeteners and sugars, which can turn these healthy drinks into calorie-laden nightmares.
So the winner here depends on the person.
- Health benefits
A wide range of health benefits are provided by these two beverages. According to certain studies, the health benefits of coffee are –
i. Prevents Type 2 Diabetes
Drinking coffee every day can help to prevent serious disease such as type 2 diabetes. Researchers believe the caffeine content of coffee helps to inhibit insulin resistance. The analysis showed that for each cup of coffee consumed, participants demonstrated a 7% less chance of developing diabetes.
ii.Increases Physical Performance
Caffeine raises the levels of epinephrine, or adrenaline in your blood which means that you have higher levels of energy and quicker response times when it comes to physical activity. Studies have shown that caffeine can increase physical performance by 12% on average.
iii.Contains Essential Nutrients
Coffee contains naturally occurring B vitamins and compounds such as manganese and potassium. These nutrients help to support organ functions and fight off colds and viruses. In fact, coffee contains 11% of the recommended daily amount of b vitamins.
Tea also provides a wide range of health benefits.
i.May Prevent Cancer
One of the most potent health benefits of tea is its ability to prevent and even kill certain cancer cells. Research has demonstrated a link between tea and the prevention of oxidative damage, which leads to cancer . Tea is full of antioxidants that help to eliminate free radicals and prevent oxidative stress that can cause liver and breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute lists several clinical trials and epidemiologic studies that support tea’s ability to prevent and fight cancer.
ii.Weight Loss
Anyone who is working out for weight loss will be on a green tea diet surely because Green tea has the ability to speed up metabolism and boost fat loss. One study found that consumption of four cups of tea per day resulted in a significant decrease in body weight and waist circumference over an 8-week period. Researchers believe the antioxidant EGCG is responsible for these weight loss benefits. The EGCG works to speed up fat oxidation, which allows the liver to burn and remove fat more efficiently.
iii.Protects Brain Function
Regular tea drinkers have a lower risk of developing neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. A study published in Phytomedicine found that regular consumption of green tea boosts memory recall and retention as well as cognition. Researchers attribute these benefits to the presence of antioxidants including polyphenols, flavonoids, and catechins
iv.Prevents Heart Disease
Studies have shown that tea can help to lower LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol that can cause serious cardiovascular disease. Some teas can also help to lower high blood pressure and improve blood circulation, lessening the chance of blood clots and heart attacks.