They say there are two kinds of people in the world: those who favor coffee and those who have sworn by tea. But which one really is the best for you?
For sure, this is not the first time that you’ve encountered this argument. This implicit battle between coffee and tea has emerged through generations. It’s just that it has been better amplified with social media and the internet these days.
This battle between superiority actually boils down to the health benefits and, of course, the taste that each beverage offers. While some prefer to start their day with an essential cup of morning coffee, traditionally, tea has always been the go-to of many when they want to relax and ward off all the negativities experienced for the day.
Here, let’s take a closer look at the many benefits that coffee and tea can bring to the mind and body.
The Wonderful Benefits of Tea
While there’s a variety of tea available in the market – much more now with the introduction of more commercialized milk tea – in general, tea has been viewed as a nutritious drink that can provide wonderful benefits to the mind and body, especially if consumed regularly.
Aside from being rich in antioxidants, tea contains polyphenols that have been found to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and regulate high levels, insulin sensitivity, and body temperature. When taken regularly, tea has also shown the potential to lower the risks of heart disease, stroke, and Type II diabetes.
Tea is also rich in an amino acid called theanine, a protective property that may help prevent cognitive decline or memory loss.
The Health Benefits of Coffee
When it comes to caffeine, you can never go wrong with coffee. Though coffee has already received a bad rap as it was associated with sleep and anxiety, it is to note that both coffee and tea contain bioactive compounds that can be beneficial to the body when consumed in moderation.
Caffeine is known as a natural stimulant that keeps your brain and central nervous system alert and prevents the onset of exhaustion. While the study on the effects of coffee on those with serious health conditions is still in its early stage, recent studies have already shown drinking coffee can potentially lower blood sugar temporarily, protect brain cells and lower risks of heart disease and oxidative stress (which has found to seriously damage cells).
Coffee or Tea? Which is Which?
Generally speaking, it can be drawn that tea has better health potential than coffee. However, coffee has high antioxidant levels and caffeine that can help you kickstart your day and concentrate on the work that you do.
Getting more than what your body can accommodate may potentially harm you. experts warn that taking too much caffeine, be it coffee or tea, can potentially raise the risk of high blood pressure and erratic heart rhythms which can lead to serious health concerns.
Your drink of choice here in Singapore is your personal preference. But whatever you opt to consume, the best way to stay healthy is to always take things in moderation. Also, regardless of your choice, you have to look at your diet and not just rely on these beverages.
