Coffee Vs Tea – Which Is Better?

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Both coffee and tea are some of the most popular consumed beverages throughout the globe [1]. Because of this, there is a high probability you drink at least one of them. If you are trying to figure out which beverage is better, this article will answer it for you.

Some Of The Differences Between Coffee and Tea:

1. Caffeine Content

One of the primary areas these two beverages differ is their caffeine content. Unless you’re talking about decaffeinated coffee, it’s going to have a lot more caffeine than tea. A single cup of coffee tends to contain anywhere from 80 to 100mg’s of caffeine and black tea tends to contain anywhere from 30 to 40mg’s [2]. Therefore, you will get a much bigger stimulant kick when you drink a cup of coffee from your coffee machine versus a cup of tea. Whether or not this is good comes down to why you’re drinking the beverage and when you are drinking it. Because coffee contains so much caffeine, it’s not recommended to drink past noon. Otherwise, you could find that your coffee consumption directly and negatively impacts your sleep. For those that are planning on enjoying coffee or tea late at night, it would be much better to opt for tea. This is especially true if you opt for an even less caffeinated tea like white tea. That being said, the reverse holds for morning drinkers. If you’re looking for a beverage that is going to give you a jolt of energy, coffee is a much better choice than any type of tea.

2. Taste

This is entirely subjective. Some people enjoy the taste of coffee and some prefer tea. With there being so many different types of coffee and tea available, it’s hard to say which one is definitively better.

3. Health Properties Of The Two

There have been numerous studies that show the health properties of both coffee and tea. While a lot of people are well aware of some of the health properties associated with tea, coffee often gets unfairly scrutinized. While too much coffee can certainly be a bad thing, that’s the case with pretty much everything. When consumed in moderation, coffee can be a relatively good beverage for your health. Not only has it been proven to be loaded with antioxidants just like tea, but it also has metabolism-enhancing benefits that come with it [3]. However, there are just as many antioxidants found in various types of tea which generally makes it the healthier drink. There was a study that showed that black tea consumption led to a decreased risk of strokes in both men and women [4]. Needless to say, it’s a drink that is certainly worth adding to your diet.

4. Energy Boost

Both of these beverages offer stimulant properties because of the caffeine content found in each. Coffee is the much stronger of the two. Therefore, if you are looking for improvements in your energy levels, it’s likely the better choice. However, green tea offers an advantage that you don’t get with coffee. Because green tea contains a lot of L-theanine, it provides a much more focused energy boost. L-theanine is a powerful antioxidant that helps to not only stimulant your brain, but also to curb anxiety and stress. Because of this, it can help you achieve a focused boost in energy rather than a jittery one that you would normally get from drinking a cup of coffee. If you are someone that gets jittery when you drink too much caffeine, you are likely well aware of this feeling. This would make tea the better beverage to consume if you want focused energy that can help you relax.

Coffee vs Tea – Which Is Better?

As mentioned, there is no definitive answer to this question. It comes down to what you prefer. Both of these beverages can be prepared in a variety of ways. Also, they both come in various kinds of roasts, flavor profiles, and more. Therefore, you can enjoy each of them in entirely different ways. Whether you enjoy your coffee black or your tea with honey, you’ll find plenty of different ways to get both of these beverages into your diet.