Tea or coffee - which is he althier? Features, types and recommendations of specialists

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Tea and coffee are known to be the two most popular hot drinks in the world, with huge followings. It is believed that the inhabitants of the planet Earth can generally be attributed to representatives of two camps, highlighting among them connoisseurs of coffee and those who prefer tea. "Tea or coffee - which is he althier?" is an important issue to be sorted out.

Preamble

Choosing between tea and coffee, most people are guided in their preferences by considerations of taste, the impact of these drinks on he alth is somehow thought less. But scientists have long de alt with this issue and in their studies have come to conclusions that all lovers of coffee and tea should get acquainted with.

Tea or coffee - which is he althier?

However, both of these drinks are considered by scientists to be beneficial for human he alth, since it has been proven that they contain active ingredients in their composition. But a clear conclusion that it is more useful to drink, tea or coffee,none of the scientists can do that yet.

Tea: about the diversity of species

There are several main types of tea, differing both in taste and aroma, and in the peculiarity of the effect on the human body:

• Green. It has a low degree of oxidation. It has a pronounced herbal aroma. The taste is slightly tart or sweet. Valued as a natural antioxidant. It contains: carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, minerals (zinc, manganese, selenium).
• Black. Strongly brewed drink normalizes digestion, is effectively used to treat typhoid fever, dysentery, removes harmful substances from the body.
• White. It is made from unblown buds and young tea leaves. Not subjected to heat treatment. Differs in light or yellowish color of dry mix. Known as a tea of he alth and youth. Strengthens the immune system, heals wounds, increases blood clotting, prevents various diseases.

Yellow. Elite tea, made from young buds. There is a slight bitterness in the taste. Increases immunity, relieves headaches

Oolong. Close to black tea. It has a bright rich aroma with hints of chocolate, honey, flowers, fruits, spices. Contains essential oils, vitamins and beneficial minerals. Positively affects human he alth

Pu-erh. Lowersblood sugar, improves the functioning of the digestive tract, removes toxins, rejuvenates and tones the skin

What types of coffee are there?

Coffee also has a huge variety of types. The most common are:

• "Arabica", which grows above sea level at an altitude of 900 to 2000 m. The grains of this variety are oblong in shape, with a smooth surface, slightly curved. During the light roasting of the beans, the particles of coffee berries do not burn out completely.
• Robusta, which contains more caffeine, is considered less refined in terms of flavor.

According to various estimates, these two types account for up to 98% of all coffee produced in the world: Arabica makes up 70% of the volume, Robusta - 28%. Other non-industrial varieties account for 2% of the world volume.

What does science know about the effects of tea and coffee on the human body?

Those who are thinking about the choice: tea or coffee - which is he althier and what should be preferred, it will be interesting to know that both of these drinks have both beneficial and harmful properties for human he alth.

The most common types of tea are black and green. The properties of these two popular tea varieties are most often compared with the properties of coffee.

Useful properties of tea and coffee

• Coffee and tea both contain antioxidants.
• Black tea has twice the amount of caffeinethan coffee: tea 2.7 to 4.1%, coffee 1.13 to 2.3%.
• Both coffee and tea (black and green) contain polyphenols that protect against cancer, heart disease and more.

For more on the benefits of tea and coffee, see later in the article.

Which is more useful?

Scientists have always been interested in the question of which of the drinks has a more beneficial effect on the human body. Tea or coffee: which is he althier? It will be easier to solve this question for yourself by reading the following information.

Tea (especially green), thanks to the tannins contained in it, contributes to the active removal of heavy metals from the body, strengthening blood vessels. In addition, the substances contained in it help in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, and various gastric diseases.

Coffee is indispensable in preventing diseases such as liver cirrhosis, migraine, asthma, heart attack. Thus, knowing about the state of their he alth, and based on their own tastes, everyone can decide which of the drinks is preferable for him.

On the benefits of black tea

For a long time, there was an opinion among consumers that black tea is much he althier than coffee. The drink has many healing properties, although they are less pronounced than in green. It is known that tea (black), in addition to helping to eliminate toxins from the body, is able to simultaneously excite and calm the nervous system due to the two substances contained in its composition that complement each other: caffeine (theine)and tannin (tannin).

Tannin tends to have a caffeine-retaining effect, so it stays in the body longer. In addition, black tea is able to slow down the leaching of calcium from the bones, and therefore is considered a good prevention of osteoporosis (decrease in bone density), especially when consumed with milk. Doctors advise drinking black tea to hypertensive patients. After drinking this drink, the normal level of pressure is quickly restored, which does not rise too high in the future.

So, black tea has a beneficial effect on the heart: it reduces blood pressure and improves the condition of the arteries. In comparison, decaffeinated coffee contains higher levels of cholesterol.

Dentists warn: do not use lemon and sugar when drinking tea. Tea bags are convenient to use, but contain few useful properties.

Which tea to choose: black or green?

An interesting fact is that although green and black teas come from the same plant, they differ in the way the leaves are processed. When processing in black tea, more nutrients are lost than in green tea. Therefore, green tea is more beneficial for humans than black tea. Matcha green tea (powder) is known to be the he althiest in Japan.

On the benefits of green tea

Many experts recognize that green tea is the most beneficial for he alth, which is created from selected leaves plucked from the very topbush.

Green tea is an excellent tonic and invigorating agent that has a beneficial effect on the body in various diseases, including colds, and also activates oxygen metabolism. The catechins found in green tea enhance the reduction of cholesterol and blood sugar levels, strengthen blood vessels, help relieve fatigue and reduce susceptibility to stress.

Vitamins contained in green tea enhance its healing and antioxidant properties. The drink protects cells, prevents destruction and increases their lifespan. In addition, in the heat of this drink, you can quickly and easily quench your thirst. Doctors recommend drinking green tea during rehabilitation periods after serious illness.

So, green tea has a beneficial effect on the condition:

• teeth: the antioxidant contained in it prevents cavities;
• genitourinary system: green tea drinkers prevent kidney stones;
• bones: those wondering which is he althier, coffee or green tea should know that green tea strengthens human bones, and coffee, according to experts, can cause osteoporosis;
• brain: green tea successfully prevents Alzheimer's disease;
• Weight: Green tea is able to increase and improve the body's metabolism, while caffeine suppresses and reduces appetite.

What is the use of coffee?

Coffee, if consumed in small and reasonable doses, alsohas a positive effect on the human body. It is important to remember that coffee must be natural. Coffee lovers should not forget that there is no natural caffeine in the instant drink, it is replaced by a chemical analogue of the substance. While it is contained in natural coffee beans. This drink, according to experts, is useful for people suffering from migraines, headaches, and vasospasm.

The caffeine found in the drink gives the body vitality and the necessary energy. Those who like to drink a cup of coffee in the morning should remember the benefits that this drink brings to their he alth:

• Coffee helps fight skin problems and signs of aging.
• Promotes weight loss.
• Good for memory and concentration.
• Prevents asthma and allergies.
• Strengthens hair.
• Combats the risk of developing cancer. It is known that coffee lovers are much less likely to suffer from liver and colon cancer. While the effect of anti-cancer tea is not yet well understood by scientists.
• Helps reduce the appearance of cellulite.
• In addition, coffee has a beneficial effect on the brain: it successfully prevents Parkinson's disease.
• The risk of diabetes is significantly reduced in those who drink up to 4 cups of coffee a day. No such qualities were found in tea.
• Coffee has been successful in preventing gallstone formation.

Contraindications

With gastritis, peptic ulcer and some other inflammatory diseases of the stomach or intestines, drinking coffee is not recommended. In case of hypertension, it is also preferable to minimize its use, since coffee increases the load on the heart.

On the dangers of tea and coffee

With a competent approach to the use of tea and coffee, their beneficial qualities will fully manifest themselves, and the body is guaranteed to be enriched with the necessary vitamins and minerals. But we must not forget that along with the benefits, these drinks can also have a negative impact on he alth:

• Tea and coffee, as well as red wine, compotes and a number of other drinks, give a yellowish tint to the enamel of the teeth.
• The high content of caffeine in coffee leads to the fact that connoisseurs of this drink have sleep disturbances. Therefore, those who do not want to develop insomnia should not drink coffee in the afternoon.
• Tea and coffee flush out magnesium and potassium from the body, hinder the absorption of folic acid and iron, narrow the blood vessels. This is especially dangerous for atherosclerosis and hypertension.
• In addition, drinking large amounts of green tea has been proven to be a burden on the liver.
• Those who systematically consume coffee may develop addiction to this drink. In addition, mental he alth can be harmed, the pulse quickens, calcium, sodium, vitamins B6 and B1 are washed out of the body.

What is better to drink in the morning?

Caffeinated drinks are known to be goodhelp you wake up in the morning. Many people ask the question: what is more useful in the morning - tea or coffee? Experts believe that in terms of caffeine content, this is undoubtedly coffee. After all, caffeine in it: 380-650 mg / l, while in tea: 180-420 mg / l. As for tea, it has been shown to improve concentration more than coffee.

High caffeine content is not guaranteed to effectively perform the function of an alarm clock, scientists believe. Here, the characteristics of the organism play an important role. Coffee and tea can equally give energy in the morning. When choosing a morning drink, you should consider your he alth and be guided by personal preferences.