Coffee and tea are among the most popular beverages in the world, with black tea being the most sought-after tea, accounting for 78% of total tea production and consumption.
While the two offer similar health benefits, they do have some differences. This article compares coffee and tea to help you decide which one to choose.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee and tea offer similar health benefits, including weight loss, anti-cancer properties and boosting energy.
However, you may want to choose one over the other depending on your caffeine sensitivity.
1- Caffeine
Caffeine is a powerful stimulant that has a protective effect against some chronic diseases. Coffee contains more caffeine per serving than tea, but both drinks may provide the benefits associated with it.
See: 14 Green Tea Benefits With Sources and Evidence
2- Antioxidants
Both coffee and tea contain different types of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that protect against heart disease and cancer.
Several groups of polyphenols are found in tea and coffee. Theflavian, therubigin, and catechins are the primary components in tea, while coffee is rich in flavonoids and chlorogenic acid (CGA).
3- Energy Levels
Both coffee and tea increase your energy levels. However, coffee gives you an instant boost, while tea gives you a smooth boost. Coffee and tea can give you an energy boost - but in different ways. Such as:
ِِA: The effect of coffee on increasing energy: The caffeine in coffee raises your energy levels. Caffeine increases alertness and reduces fatigue by increasing dopamine levels and blocking adenosine.
B: The effect of tea on increasing energy: Although the tea is low in caffeine, it is rich in L-theanine, a powerful antioxidant that also stimulates your brain.
Unlike caffeine, L-theanine may provide anti-stress effects by increasing alpha waves in your brain, helping you calm down and relax.
4- Weight loss
The caffeine in coffee and polyphenols in tea may help you lose weight, but more human studies are needed to confirm these effects.