Have you ever thought about the health benefits of Tea vs. Coffee? Both drinks are popular and have been around for a long time welcoming you every morning with a hot smile. Though a large amount of contradictory studies are available that reveal some inexplicit cons and benefits of tea and coffee, the comfortable fact is that both coffee and tea are anti-oxidants that safeguard our body from free radicals that may cause diseases. Let us go though some interesting facts about tea and coffee before you take the next cup.

Facts about Tea

• Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, next to water.
• Tea, if taken without milk and sugar, is good for digestion.
• Tea consumption helps to reduce cholesterol levels and prevents blood clotting  
• It reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
• The risks of seasonal allergies, inflammation and breast cancer are lowered.
• Green tea reduces heart disease and death rate associated with it.
• The risk of ovarian cancer is reduced by the consumption of black tea and green tea.
• Both black tea and green tea contains more anti-oxidants because their leaves are less processed.
• Most herbal teas are made of herbs, roots, spices or flowers and contain less tea leaves and hence less anti-oxidants.  
• Anti-oxidants in tea are released by hot brewing. You can brew tea and then add ice to it to make your iced tea.
• Compared to coffee, tea will not poison you even if you take it in large quantities, because of less caffeine content in tea.
• You can get an anti-oxidant rich beverage by blending green tea and black tea. Just mix a green tea bag and black tea bag in boiling water and drink it after three minutes.

 Facts about Coffee

• A cup of coffee can change your negative mood.
• An anti-bacterial compound called tigonelline causes delicious aroma in coffee.
• Coffee contains anti-oxidants like quinines and chlorogenic acid.
• Coffee reduces the risk of diseases like diabetes, gout, liver cancer, colon cancer and Parkinson’s disease
• Coffee contains almost double caffeine content than tea. Caffeine content varies depending on the type of coffee and the method of preparation.
• Caffeine has the effect of a drug, which stimulates the nervous system and brain.
• Caffeine intake needs to be limited because excess consumption may lead to many side effects like headache, insomnia and restlessness.
• Coffee powder is mixed into the coffee liquor whereas tea leaves strained out of the tea liquor, thus resulting in more caffeine intake while drinking coffee.
• Due to its excess caffeine content, coffee is not included in the list of healthy beverages
• Caffeine is a stimulant which increases blood pressure and heart rate. Hence coffee is not recommended during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Studies show that plain tea and coffee are healthy beverages and are calorie-free. But when we add sugar and milk they produce high calorie. One table spoon of milk and 2 teaspoons of sugar will produce about 80 calories and 6 grams of fat in our body. Beware of these unwanted ingredients. Being rich in anti-oxidants, both coffee and tea are healthy, though they cannot replace fruits and vegetable in our diets. Science may not tell you which one is superior to the other; but you know the fact. You are the person to decide what you like. I prefer tea. Which would you prefer – Tea or Coffee? 

Article Posted By : Ramakrishnan Appakkad  On July 18, 2015lView All Articles

An engineer by profession; writing is my passion. Enjoy writing, reading, travel, life, love and philosophy.

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http://www.veethi.com/articles/tea-or-coffee--which-would-you-prefer-article-3585.htm

Keywords :
tea or coffee , anti-oxidants , green tea , black tea , caffeine