And then you have the tea steepers, who love the ritual of brewing tea in hot water. They may prepare their tea with loose leaves or a pre-packaged tea bag, but the soothing feeling they get is all the same. Whether you prefer coffee or tea, both are filled with health benefits.
The benefits of coffee
It can benefit heart health
“In a recent study, coffee was associated with a lower risk of heart failure compared to non-coffee drinkers—but only with the caffeinated coffee drinkers and not the decaf coffee drinkers,” says Debbie Petitpain, MS, RDN, Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Although tea consumption may reduce cardiovascular disease risk, this study didn’t address the association between tea and heart failure, so coffee may be a better pick for those with this specific and serious heart condition.”
Coffee has more caffeine
“Coffee contains almost twice as much caffeine per serving than tea and caffeine (the most commonly consumed drug in the world) has been shown to help with both mental alertness and athletic performance,” says Petitpain.
Coffee contains a specific cancer-fighting antioxidant
“Both coffee and tea are high in antioxidants but coffee specifically has chlorogenic acid (CGA) which has been shown in test tubes to slow the growth of cancer cells,” says Petitpain.
The benefits of tea
Tea has more antioxidants than coffee
“Antioxidants are linked to many health benefits by reducing inflammation and lowering the risk for chronic diseases and certain cancers,” says Rahaf Al Bochi, RDN, LD Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and owner of Olive Tree Nutrition.
Tea contains less caffeine per cup compared to coffee
While more caffeine may be a benefit for some, for others it’s a drawback. “If you are trying to lower your caffeine intake, tea can be a great choice,” says Bochi. “An excess of caffeine can increase stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Pregnant and lactating mothers are also advised to limit their caffeine intake.”
It may lower your risk of chronic diseases
One 2019 study found that people who drank two to three cups of tea daily saw a reduced risk of premature death, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Which is healthier: coffee or tea?
Both plain coffee and tea have similar health benefits, but deciding which one is healthier may depend more on what you add to the beverage. “The addition of sugar or syrups, milk or cream, or toppings such as whipped cream or sugar sprinkles can ruin any benefit,” says Petitpain. “The only addition that keeps the benefits intact is ice!” Caffeine content is also an important factor in choosing which one to go with." As mentioned previously, coffee has almost twice as much caffeine per serving compared to black or green tea," adds Petitpain. So if you’re trying to reel in caffeine, you may want to consider herbal tea. “Be mindful of how much coffee you are drinking each day to limit your caffeine intake, and incorporate teas (as well as herbal teas such as chamomile or peppermint, which do not contain caffeine) for antioxidants and hydration,” says Al Bochi. Luckily, both of these delicious beverages come with awesome health benefits—so when deciding which one is healthier, decide which benefits are more important to you! Next up: 10 Uses for Used Coffee Grounds
Sources
Debbie Petitpain, MS, RDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsRahaf Al Bochi, RDN, LD Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and owner of Olive Tree Nutrition
