- Caffeine is naturally-occurring substance found in leaves, seeds, or fruits of at least 100 different species
- An 8 oz serving of brewed coffee has 142mg of Caffeine vs 45-60mg in tea
- Up to 300mg of caffeine consumption is considered moderate with no evidence of harmful effect on majority, barring some with sensitivity at smaller doses
- Caffeine is considered a powerful stimulant with evidence of protective effects against some chronic diseases
- Coffee with the higher caffeine content, may be good for those looking for an instant energy fix. However, it may cause anxiety and impaired sleep in sensitive people
Anti-oxidants
- Anti-oxidants protect your body against free radical damage and may help in the prevention of certain chronic diseases
- Tea contains 750 times more flavonoids than coffee. An 8oz serving of tea has 300mg of Flavonoids compared to 0.4mg in coffee
- Flavonoids through anti-oxidant activity provide anti-inflammatory benefits
- 10-year study in 74,961 healthy people determined that drinking 4 cups (960 ml) or more of black tea per day was associated with a 21% lower risk of stroke, compared with non-drinkers
Increase Energy levels
- Both tea and coffee can provide energy boost in different ways
- Coffee through caffeine can increase alertness, reduce fatigue and effect on energy level is almost instant
- Body absorbs 99% of caffeine in 45 minutes but peak blood concentration appears as early as 15 minutes giving immediate energy boost
- Tea through L-theanine may provide anti-stress effects which can give a relaxed but alert mental state without being drowsy
- In a cross-sectional study, participants who consumed more tea exhibited lesser fatigue and higher level of subjective work performance
- Studies have found that consuming L-theanine along with caffeine — as in tea — may help you maintain your alertness, focus, attention, and sharpness
- This could be a reason why tea gives you a soothing and more smooth energy boost than coffee
Benefits of possible weight loss
- Caffeine in coffee may lead to increase in calorie burn by 3-13% and maintain this for 3 hours leading to calorie burn of 79-150
- Tea polyphenols like Theaflavin may also contribute to weight loss
- Black tea polyphenols also seem to alter the diversity of your gut microbiota, or healthy bacteria in your intestines, which may impact weight management
- In summation the caffeine in coffee and polyphenols in tea may help you lose weight. More human studies are needed to confirm these effects
Tea Vs Coffee – Which is better
- Coffee has been associated with multiple side effects, such as heart failure, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure, research shows that moderate consumption is safe
- Tea and coffee are both excellent sources of anti-oxidants although different compositions, which may protect against various conditions, including heart disease and some forms of cancers
- Coffee with higher caffeine level will give instant energy boost but may cause anxiety and impaired sleep in sensitive people
- High coffee intake may result in dependence or addiction
- If sensitive to caffeine, tea may be a better option as it contains L-theanine an amino-acid which helps in remaining calm and relaxed while being alert
Both Tea and Coffee offer similar health benefits when consumed in moderation including weight loss, energy boosting properties, etc. You may decide which suits you better, depending on caffeine sensitivity.