Choosing a beverage: The debate between coffee and tea
There are two types of people in this world: coffee-drinkers and tea-enjoyers. While members of both groups may staunchly defend their beverage of choice, both tea and coffee have their pros and cons.
Coffee can be whipped up to fit a variety of tastes. There’s hot and iced, sugary and rich — and extra ingredients: Cinnamon, chocolate and nutmeg can spice up any drink to one’s liking. In general, the flavor of coffee tends to be stronger, and even bordering on overwhelming depending on the individual’s taste.
On top of that, drinking coffee may have bonus health benefits. According to nutrition experts from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, coffee contains antioxidants and other active substances that “may reduce internal inflammation and protect against disease.”
For example, drinking a cup of coffee a day is associated with reduced stroke risk in women. Healthline adds that the caffeine concentration in coffee may increase one’s metabolism, enhance exercise performance and boost one’s mood.
However, I think we all know someone that loves coffee just a bit too much. You know the person — the friend who uses all their Plus Swipes on Starbucks, often opting for coffee and a croissant over a full meal.
It’s no secret that coffee is addictive. Also according to Healthline, caffeine is the “most commonly consumed psychoactive substance, and the one to blame for coffee’s potentially addictive properties.”
The average cup of coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine, but some servings may have as much as 300 mg, states Healthline. Because caffeine resembles adenosine, a protein that relaxes the central nervous system, it can block those adenosine receptors and prevent the person from feeling tired. As a result, caffeine can make someone feel alert and motivated.
Unfortunately, the saying “too much of a good thing” rings true in this situation: Too much caffeine can have negative effects on a person. Experts from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine write that an “excessive intake of caffeinated coffee” can cause an increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, anxiety and trouble falling asleep.
While tea also contains caffeine, the average tea enjoyer is less likely to overindulge in caffeine because the average cup of black tea only contains 47 mg, which is less than half the amount in an average cup of coffee, states Healthline. And according to Penn Medicine, regularly drinking tea can lower bad cholesterol, reduce blood clotting and lower blood pressure.
On top of that, various herbal teas have numerous positive health effects associated with them, such as chamomile tea helping to reduce cramping and improving sleep.
Though tea might be winning in the health benefits category, it turns some people away simply because of its flavors. Though tea can also range from sweet to herbal to rich in spice, some people simply prefer the stronger flavors of coffee.
Whether you’re on the side of coffee or tea, let’s meet in the middle and agree that both beverages have their pros and cons.
By the Champion Staff