Many people around the world cannot operate in the morning without a hot cup of coffee. Elsewhere, some people rely on a cup of tea not just in the morning but throughout the day. After a stressful day, it’s nice to sit down with a cup of tea (and a biscuit!). But is one better for the body than the other?
Firstly, it’s important to dispel a myth because coffee is no longer on the list of suspected carcinogens. Although it was once on this list, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (a WHO agency) removed it not so long ago. In fact, some research now suggests that coffee could keep colon cancer away after the completion of treatment.
According to other studies, coffee could also help to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Therefore, there are certain merits to drinking coffee as part of your daily routine.
However, tea tends to have more health benefits, and this is generally because of the various types of tea available on the market right now. As well as traditional English Breakfast Tea, you’ll find herbal tea, green tea, chai tea, matcha tea, black tea, white tea, Australian Alpine green tea, and more. Each product has its merits, and this gives you a chance to find the balance between health benefits, flavour, and experience.
Generally speaking, those who choose to drink tea have a lower chance of developing prostate, skin, and breast cancer. The strange thing about these health benefits, in particular, is that scientists aren’t entirely sure why this is the case.
Thankfully, more research has been done on green tea, and the health benefits are clear. Packed to the brim with antioxidants, this has numerous benefits for the body, including a boosted immune system and improved conditions for the cells. Furthermore, green tea, especially from Teavision also contains polyphenols, and these can reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
Scientists have also explored EGCG, a type of polyphenol that could help to prevent Alzheimer’s. How does it achieve this? Typically, people with Alzheimer’s disease have a build-up of plaques. This polyphenol stops the formation of plaques and limits the risk of the disease.
Which is Better?
So, you’ve seen various health benefits to each… but which is better? Recently, a group of scientists looked at the relationship between heart disease and the two drinks. Sadly, heart disease is a problem globally and a leading cause of death in Australia. After looking at 6,800 people across various backgrounds, the study found that 75% of people drank coffee regularly while only 40% were frequent tea drinkers.
By drinking tea regularly, the study went on to find that this reduces the build-up of calcium in the arteries. Since these arteries are pivotal for blood transportation, this creates a link between tea and the reduction of heart disease risk.
If you’re thinking about making the switch to tea, but you’re worried about not getting your morning boost, you might actually find it in tea. Firstly, it’s a misconception that tea doesn’t contain caffeine. Although it’s a much lower quantity, you will find caffeine in tea. Additionally, tea has an antioxidant called L-theanine, which is known to stimulate the brain.
While caffeine can contribute to stress, L-theanine has the opposite effect and boosts the alpha waves, which can help the body and mind to relax (especially useful after a busy day at work!).