Beverage War: Health Benefits of Coffee vs. Tea

Posted January 15, 2015

Maybe it’s the familiar sound of the brewer clicking on and the faint, steaming bubble that follows. Fresh dripped coffee for many is the sweet nectar of morning. Or maybe you’re more of a minimalist, a tea enthusiast that enjoys the ceremony of a steaming kettle and the therapeutic, flowery aromas that release from unfurled leaves.

Our preference for which hot morning beverage we choose may simply be based on taste and how they make us feel. However, wouldn’t be nice to know which one wins in terms of nutrition? Here are some quick facts you can use when engaged in another beverage war with your coworkers.

What’s in a Coffee?

It’s safe to say that coffee is the most popular American morning beverage. Every day nearly 400 million cups are downed at Starbucks, donut shops, cafes, homes, and workplaces. It is literally the beverage that drives our workforce. This averages to about 3.1 cups per person. There will always be those that decry the evils of what they see as a very acidic, caffeine laden drink, but coffee in moderation has its health benefits. Full of antioxidants, a chemical found in plant foods, some levels of coffee protect us from free radicals that damage cellular tissue over time. The higher levels of caffeine in coffee have also been shown to help asthma sufferers by relaxing their airways.

Tea Nutrition

Teas are a close second as a hot beverage choice not just of the morning, but throughout the day in many parts of the world. However, in America, only 1 in 5 adults drinks tea daily. Whether you choose black tea or green tea, both have significant amounts of flavonoids – a type of antioxidant that has shown to reduce cholesterol, prevent blood clotting, and minimize the risk of certain types of cancers. It’s important to note that many “herbal teas” that come from roots or plant extracts shouldn’t be confused with traditional tea leaves and often lack those beneficial flavonoids.

And the winner is…

Both! Coffee and tea each have similar, properties that can be beneficial to your health. An important thing to keep in mind though is that coffee is significantly higher than tea in caffeine per cup. So try to keep your consumption around 2 cups a day. Too much of it can put stress on you adrenal system, making it difficult to establish a consistent sleeping pattern.

Tea drinkers should also keep in mind that while they’re consuming less caffeine per cup, the flavonoids in their tea are a natural blood thinner that in excess, can lead to anemia.

Remember, everything in moderation. Drink up!

Our Nutritionists will help you plan your ideal diet

At Be Well 365 we want to help you discover just what it is you’re putting in your body and how it can affect your overall quality of life. If you’re trying to lose weight – 10lbs or 100, or if you just want to have more energy, our team of nutritionist can help create a custom diet just for you.

:Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/29/americas-coffee-obsession_n_987885.html

http://www.cbn.com/health/nutrition/reinke_coffeetea.aspx

http://www.medicaldaily.com/health-benefits-coffee-vs-tea-which-one-better-you-309556

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