There are exclusive coffee drinkers and exclusive tea drinkers as well. Maybe you love one over the other, or both. So, which is better? This article has helpful info on the differences, benefits, and drawbacks of the two most consumed beverages globally.
Tea vs. Coffee
The Science
Tea is grown just like coffee. Tea undergoes minimal chemical processing. It contains polyphenols, just like coffee. The macronutrients in tea offer antioxidant benefits, preventing cell damage from the body’s free radicals.
These antioxidants will give protection against tobacco, sun damage, and alcohol. Tea is processed very fast after picking it from the farm. Green tea is powerful because it can help you fight cancer, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Coffee has 4 main components, i.e., diterpenes, caffeine, melanoidins, and chlorogenic acid. Coffee is usually roasted and brewed for drinking. Coffee enhances receptors in your brain that prevent absorption of “sleepy cells,” alias adenosine.
That is why you stay more awake after taking a cup of coffee. Depending on how coffee kicks in for you, one might feel heightened blood pressure and hypersensitivity.
Chemical Processing
Tea leaves are dried and grouped depending on the leaf size. Dried tea leaves can stay long, even without being put in airtight containers for storing coffee beans. There is very minimal chemical processing.
Coffee beans are filled with chemicals that help them grow. Coffee beans change their composition entirely once roasted. The roasting process leads to the creation of chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant. The beans are ground to a uniform size. There is minimal chemical processing.
Decaf coffee is harmful to you. Decaffeination occurs during the direct and indirect solvent processes that use brines and benzene to withdraw caffeine from the beans. The beans are soaked for 12 to 36 hours; hence can be harmful. To eliminate chemicals from your cup, the Swiss water process is recommended to decaffeinate.
Health Effects
Tea can lower your blood pressure. It is a healthier way of consuming caffeine, contrary to coffee, which has more drawbacks than benefits. Black tea prevents you from cardiovascular disease attacks and regulates your blood sugar.
Flavonoids (sometimes called bioflavonoids) are organic plant-derived compounds that are supposed to have great antioxidant capabilities. These antioxidants may help prevent cell damage, which may go so far as to help reduce one’s risk of cancer, although more studies must be performed before this link can be made definitively.
Flavonoids may also be why drinking at least three cups of tea daily may reduce one’s risk of a heart attack.
Caffeine in tea opens your airways to enhance your breathing capacity temporarily. Tea has more caffeine compared to coffee. You, therefore, need to use more coffee to match the caffeine level in tea. Green tea, black tea, and hibiscus help lower your blood pressure by 2 or 3 points, making it recommendable when dealing with other health-related issues.
Tea is highly recommended for evenings and afternoons when you are winding down because coffee might kick out your sleep. Black tea helps you fight cardiovascular disease and heart attack and protect your skin against harmful UV rays. In addition, tea enhances better and fast digestion like coffee and is less likely to dehydrate you.
If tea has caffeine, why does it help us wind down?
Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain. However, it has other 2 stimulants that work differently. Black and green tea has theobromine and theophylline, stimulants that relax your muscles but don’t have supercharged effects.
These stimulants lower your blood pressure, the same things that happen when you fall asleep. In addition, tea has l-theanine and amino acids that enhance alertness and relaxation.
Coffee raises your blood pressure. That can be positive or negative depending on your body. Consuming a healthy amount of coffee (about 400mg a day) can potentially help you break down fats, preventing excessive weight gain. Coffee regulates blood sugar and helps type II diabetes patients burn fat.
Coffee contains caffeine. Coffee is metabolized quickly and can enhance your metabolic rate of digesting foods and fats transferred to your digestive tract. Coffee can help athletic persons reverse heart cell and tissue damage. However, obese people are at a higher risk of a heart attack. However, coffee is likely to dehydrate you.
You might experience slight or no diarrhea after consuming coffee. Asthmatic persons can enjoy coffee because it contains caffeine. Take a cup of coffee before your cardio workout to enhance your breathing throughout the process.
If coffee increases your blood pressure, how does it help in rheumatoid arthritis?
Coffee contains antioxidants that fight free radicals in your body, preventing swelling and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis affects around 1 million Americans. The disease degenerates tissues and damages joints. The protein movement of coffee could help prevent further damage.
Will You Pick A Side?
Now that you know the two beverages’ science, chemical composition, and health effects, which one do you choose? You don’t have to anyway. You can use both and enjoy the benefits of both drinks.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
