Tea vs. Coffee: Which One Is Better for Your Health?

The age-long tussles between Tea and Coffee are not alien to any human. For ages, people were puzzled about the consumption of these two beverages. You will find Coffee and Tea lovers fighting over its health benefits, which is better than the other. Some people may even confuse the two as each other's substitutes. 

With an enormous amount of consumption worldwide, they are the most loved beverages after water. But as Coffee Affection reported, while Coffee is preferred in many countries, Tea is the second-most consumed beverage worldwide. Despite this difference, Tea and Coffee have their histories, stories of origin and health benefits.

Still, trying to decide which beverage to drink for your daily routine? Which is better between, the two? Which beverage is better for your health? Let's look at this blog to end the confusion here. 

Table of Contents

1) All You Need to Know About Coffee 

2) Everything You Need to Know About Tea 

3) Differences Between Coffee and Tea 

4) Which One is Better for Your Health? 

5) Conclusion 

All you need to know about Coffee 

Coffee originated from the Ethiopian land, reaching every corner of the world and getting an immense amount of love and passion. Each country welcomed this beverage with delight wherever it went, giving it its own flavour, version and touch.    

It is a beverage made from roasted and grounded coffee beans boiled in hot water. The plant or crop needs a mild climate with plenty of rain and sunshine. As a result, Coffee-growing regions may be found between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Additionally, it has some acidic content along with a naturally bitter taste. 

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Everything you need to know about Tea 

According to myths, stories and legends, Tea's origin is known in China. With its discovery, this beverage became famous for its medicinal value. However, in the 3rd century, this beverage became a routine drink for all the commoners and elites.  

It is a beverage made by steeping young Tea-plant leaves and leaf buds in freshly boiled water. Its plant is an evergreen, tropical plant which has green, shiny pointed leaves. This beverage grows best in regions with a warm, humid climate and a yearly rainfall of approximately 100 centimetres. Ideally, the crop enjoys deep, light, acidic and well-drained soil. 

Differences between Coffee and Tea 

Tea vs Coffee: which one is better? Before delving into the discussion about which one is better, first, you should understand some differences between the two. While some people may prefer drinking Coffee, others like to have ‘bed -Tea’ in their daily routines. Both beverages enjoy equal love from the masses, yet they differ in so many different ways.

Some individuals might also consider exploring "coffee alternative" options as part of their beverage choices. Let's look at how both of them are different from each other: 

Caffeine Content 

The debates about the caffeine content of the two beverages are prolonged. Although high caffeine is related to migraines, nausea, and other disorders, the two beverages stand out.  

While it is commonly known that Coffee contains a higher amount of caffeine than Tea, Tea leaves naturally have more caffeine than unfiltered coffee beans. 

One of the reasons could be that Coffee is strongly brewed at high temperatures, which allows the caffeine molecules to be released from the beans. In comparison, Tea is a typically weaker infusion brewed at lower temperatures leaving all its caffeine content in its leaves. 

Taste 

Liking one beverage over the other depends upon individual preferences. Most people judge based on taste if they like Tea or Coffee.  

Tea's taste ranges from floral, grassy, and sweet to slightly bitter, nutty, and astringent. Except for true or real Tea, all other ones are herbal, i.e., their taste comes from the plant's essential oils. On the other hand, Coffee has a strong, malty, bitter and stringent flavour. 
 

Antioxidants 

Antioxidants help prevent many chronic diseases like gastric disorders, kidney-related issues and even hazardous diseases such as cancer. They have also been proven effective in reducing heart diseases. If you drink both beverages regularly, chances are you will be prevented from these diseases.  

Polyphenols are one of the primary antioxidants present in both beverages. However, other antioxidants are also present in both beverages in different quantities. On the one hand, black Tea contains theaflavins, thearubigins, and catechins. At the same time, Coffee has flavonoids and chlorogenic acid in it. 

Difference between energy levels each beverage provides 

After taking a shot of espresso in the morning, you might have experienced a push in your energy level. Tea has similar effects on your body, however, in less amount.  

With high caffeine content, Coffee boosts your energy levels, increased alertness, and reduces exhaustion. This is because caffeine releases high amounts of dopamine while blocking adenosine.  

On the other flip, Tea, though it contains caffeine, does not have many effects on the brain. It has L-theanine, an antioxidant which is also released along with dopamine. Unlike caffeine, this element increases your brain's alpha waves, making you feel relaxed and drowsy. 

Which One is Better for Your Health? 

To decide which one is better will be a tough road to go. If you want to reduce your caffeine intake, try Tea. However, if you want to start your day with a dopamine boost, Coffee will be the perfect fit for you.   

Coffee is said to cause anxiety disorders, while Tea will cause your blood sugar levels to go high.   

Despite their disadvantages, beverage lovers will drink what they have been drinking for ages.   

But do not be discouraged by the above-listed disadvantages. A limited intake of Tea, as well as Coffee, will not harm you. Consuming one to two cups of espresso daily will be a win-win for your health. While in the case of Tea, 4-5 cups in a day will not harm you (if not benefit you).   

So, which beverage? Following are the health benefits you can get from drinking both beverages: 

Health benefits of Tea 

With about an estimate to reach 7.4 billion kilograms of consumption by 2025, according to Statista reports, it also has numerous health benefits for its high popularity.   

1) Drinking Tea may prevent cancer and kidney-related issues. It helps in the elimination of free radicals and the prevention of oxidative stress, which can result in breast and liver cancer.  

2) Tea can help in weight loss as well. Essentially, a regular intake of Herbal or Green Tea increases the rate of metabolism, which in turn helps in fat loss. However, you need to consult a dietician to know about the quantity of consumption.  

3) Regular intake of Tea can also reduce the development of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinsons' disease.  

4) It is also proven to have a boozy effect on your mind, making you nauseate and releasing stress.  

5) It helps in preventing heart disease.   

6) Tea leaves contain high amounts of essential oils. 

Health benefits of Coffee 

Like Tea, Coffee also has huge amounts of health benefits. Following is the list of some of the health benefits of this beverage:  

1) Coffee prevents the development of Type 2 diabetes. It is because the caffeine helps in releasing insulin, thus lowering the risks of diabetes.  

2) Coffee also helps in weight loss. Regular caffeine burns high amounts of calories and prevents the production of new fat cells.  

3) With high caffeine content, this beverage helps in activating your physical activities.  

4) Coffee contains essential nutrients.
 

Conclusion 

We have provided you with the appropriate information to choose between the two beverages in this blog. Both have advantages and disadvantages; thus, it is up to you if you want to drink Coffee or Tea. There is no ending to this age-long tussle. 

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