Tea OR Coffee? Here is the final verdict on which one is healthier | The Times of India (2024)

Tea and coffee are both popular and most widely consumed beverages across the globe. They have their own health benefits to offer. But when it comes to tea and coffee, people stand divided depending on what they like. So let us rest this debate forever:

Caffeine is known for both its positive and adverse effects on human health. It is found in many popular beverages including tea and coffee. But the caffeine content also depends on the preparation method, brewing time and serving quantity. 400 mg of caffeine per day is considered good for human health. If we compare the caffeine content of both the beverages then tea contains less amount of caffeine as compared to coffee. One small cup of black tea contains 14-70 mg of caffeine, while coffee contains 95-200 mg of caffeine.

Both tea and coffee are loaded with antioxidants, which protect our body against free radical damage and develop certain chronic diseases. Both the drinks primarily contain polyphenols, which give them their unique flavor and health-promoting properties. Black tea is loaded with theaflavins, thearubigins, and catechins, while coffee is rich in flavonoids and chlorogenic acid (CGA).

Tea contains less amount of caffeine and is rich in L-theanine, which is an antioxidant that also stimulates our brain. Studies suggest that consuming L-theanine along with caffeine may help maintain your alertness, focus, attention, and sharpness.

As per some studies, caffeine intake may help you burn more calories, as much as 3-13 percent. Apart from this coffee has been linked with fat-burning properties by inhibiting the production of fat cells. Some studies have associated this effect to its chlorogenic acid content. So, in case you want to accelerate your weight loss process then coffee should be your pick.

Both the beverages can stain your pearly white teeth. But as per experts, the pigments from tea affect your teeth more than coffee.

According to Dr. Priyanka Rohtagi, Chief Clinical Nutritionist, Apollo Hospitals, tea is better than coffee as it contains less amount of caffeine. But the method of preparation also matters. "If you brew your beverages a lot, the antioxidants get affected, which is not good for health. Apart from this, the amount of sugar you are adding in your beverage also plays an important role." She said that adding too much sugar in your drink is not a very healthy thing. Moreover, when you add milk in your tea and coffee, you are binding the calcium content of the milk.

Both tea and coffee have their own benefits and drawbacks. However, in any case, tea is a healthier choice than coffee. But this does not mean that you go ahead and have 5-6 cups every day. If you want to stay healthy, do not consume more than two cups of tea in a day. Moreover, it should not be more than 150 ml.