Tea or coffee, which one is healthier?

History of tea and coffee

According to legend, tea was first discovered by the Emperor of China in 2737 BC when a leaf accidentally fell into the water he was boiling. Then, he tasted it and was surprised by its taste and benefits after consuming it.

Meanwhile, coffee is believed to have originated in the highlands of Ethiopia where history has it that a goat herder named Kaldi saw his goats become hyperactive after eating made from a tree which became known as coffee seeds.

Before answering the question which is better, tea or coffee, you also need to know the benefits and dangers of excessive coffee and tea consumption.

Benefits and risks of drinking tea

So far, tea consumption has always been associated with its health benefits because its antioxidant content has been shown to help prevent blood vessels from hardening and can improve brain health.

In addition, another study was published in a health journal Nutrition Bulletin, found that regular tea consumption can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. In fact, another study found that tea consumption can reduce stress levels compared to other caffeinated drinks, such as coffee.

Regular tea drinkers also have higher bone density, which can slow down bone loss. Other studies have also found that tea drinkers have a lower chance of developing skin cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. In addition, the fluoride content in tea can also protect against tooth decay and gum disease.

Researchers also found that consuming green tea, which is one of the best types of tea, more than two cups a day can boost immunity, help speed up the body's metabolism, and can reduce the risk of memory loss or brain memory due to aging.

However, the tannin content in tea can interfere with the absorption of iron in the body. A study has found that tea consumption can lead to a 62% reduction in iron absorption. In addition, a study claims that tea consumption of more than seven cups a day can double the risk of prostate cancer compared to those who consumed three cups of tea or less.

Benefits and risks of drinking coffee

For coffee drinkers, the good news is the study conducted by Harvard University found that people who drank three to five cups of coffee a day reduced their risk of dying from certain diseases. The antioxidants present in coffee have been linked to protection against type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's, and certain cancers.

However, natural substances present in coffee, without being filtered, have been shown to increase cholesterol levels. Moreover, the acidic content of coffee which is higher than tea can cause digestive problems. In addition, consuming four cups of coffee or more a day can actually reduce bone density by about 2-4%.

In addition, what you need to remember is that coffee has a very high caffeine content and is a stimulant. So, if you are sensitive or are not used to consuming coffee, you will feel restless or anxious when consuming coffee. Or, if you have high blood pressure, you should limit your caffeine intake as it can cause an increase in your blood pressure.

So, which one is better? Coffee or tea?

After reading some of this article, you will know that coffee and tea have health benefits.

If as long as you don't make coffee or tea with a mixture of sugar or cream, these two drinks can be good sources of nutrients and antioxidants for disease prevention. So, the answer to the question which is better, coffee or tea is really up to you. As long as you are not sensitive to caffeine and do not suffer from heartburn, you can consume coffee or tea.