When you reach for that mug in the morning, whether it is coffee or tea that wakes you up, remember that you may get more benefits than just a jump-start for the day. Either you may be a tea or a coffee drinker. Either way, don’t end up guzzling your way through the day, as studies have proved that one should limit their intake of either of the drinks to just one or two cups a day.
Daily cups of coffee have been linked to a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease, liver cancer, gallstones and type 2 diabetes. In addition, green tea and white tea have been known for their health benefits.
So given the choice between tea and coffee, which one is the best and healthiest of the two? Read on to find out. First up is everybody’s indispensable drink-coffee.
The maximum recommended amount of coffee is four 8-ounce cups a day, although it depends on the individual in terms of body size, among other factors. Because caffeine has been shown to raise blood pressure, you should limit your intake if you have any blood pressure abnormalities. More than four cups is never recommended.
There is the strong suggestion that the antioxidants in tea — whether it’s black, green or white — have health benefits. Antioxidants can prevent inflammation of the blood vessels, and it has been linked to reduced risk for cancer. In terms of antioxidants, white tea has the most, followed by green tea, black tea and coffee. Green and white teas are made from different parts of the tea leaves, but both are minimally processed, unlike black tea, which is fermented. It appears the process of fermentation reduces the antioxidants in the final product.
Caffeine is associated with enhanced alertness, increased productivity and concentration when you’re driving, and enhanced athletic performances. In terms of caffeine, coffee has the most followed by black tea, green tea and white tea.
So judging from the above, both these stimulating drinks have their benefits when taken in moderation. However, if you have a choice between coffee or tea, tea should be the first choice. However, if coffee is part of your morning routine, you don’t have anything to worry about. I for one, being a coffee drinker, am happy to know about the benefits of tea and coffee.