Tea and Coffee
Coffee and
tea not only provide cozy morning rituals and boosts of energy during midday
slumps; these hot drinks have also been long acknowledged for their medicinalproperties, which primarily come from the caffeine and antioxidants found in
coffee beans and tea leaves. While coffee is higher in
both caffeine and antioxidants than tea, you can drink more
tea throughout the day to gain equal health benefits.
When it
comes to coffee, some of the health benefits come from the caffeine, some from
the antioxidant properties, and there are likely benefits from other
constituents of coffee as well. According to researchers at Harvard
University, the main health benefits of tea stem from the catechins
and epicatechins, two types of polyphenols antioxidants contained in tea
leaves. The caffeine in tea also offers some health benefits.
Don’t
disregard herbal and decaf teas and decaf coffee, which are caffeine-free but
also provide high levels of antioxidants. Here are five benefits that you can
enjoy from drinking coffee and tea, and a note on potential side effects. Here
are the benefits of tea and coffee.
1.
Possible
decreased risk of dementia
The
caffeine in coffee and tea has long been shown to stimulate brain activity, but
new studies show that the caffeine in
both coffee and tea may protect against dementia and
Alzheimer’s disease.Some research has even suggested a possible correlation
between coffee consumption and decreased risk of Parkinson’s disease. It
may also be the caffeine from the coffee that protects against Parkinson’s
because decaf drinkers don’t appear to have the same protection.
2.
Protection
against liver disease and cancer
Coffee is
high in antioxidants, which help neutralize free radicals that can
cause degradation to cells (associated with premature aging) and contribute to
the development of some cancers. The antioxidants found in coffee may be
beneficial in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and
may reduce the risk of liver cancer and death from chronic liver
disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, the antioxidants of
green tea may help to reduce tumor growth.
3.
Lowered
risk of type 2 diabetes
Recent
research by Harvard University School of Public Healthindicates that
the polyphenols from coffee or tea consumption can lower the
risk of type 2 diabetesand help improve insulin secretion and sensitivity.
4.
Protection
from cardiovascular disease
As studies
suggest, the consumption of both coffee and green tea may lower
the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers have found that antioxidants in
coffee may offer protective effects on the vascular system.
5.
Immune-boosting
properties
According
to recent research, coffee, white teas, and green teas can help boost
the immune system.The concerns with high ca
ffeine
consumption apply equally to coffee and tea, but you’d have to drink many more
cups of tea to ingest those same high levels of caffeine. If you’re drinking a
cup of tea in the evening, you may want to opt for caffeine-free herbal tea or
white tea, which contains the lowest amount of caffeine, so as not to interfere
with your sleep habits.
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