Does tea or coffee contribute something or not to human health

Coffee and tea are two of the world`s most popular beverages. Tea is a popular beverage all over the world, and its ingredients are now being studied for medicinal purposes. According to research, polyphenolic compounds found in green and black tea may help prevent cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. ³ Black tea being the most popular, accounting for 78% of total tea production and consumption.

While coffee contains more caffeine and antioxidants than tea, you can consume more tea throughout the day to reap the same health benefits.  Caffeine is found in coffee and tea and is known to have both positive and negative effects on human health. Moderate amounts of caffeine have been linked to a lower risk of metabolic disorders.  400 mg of caffeine per day is considered safe for humans. ²

Coffee and tea not only provide energy boosts during midday slumps; these hot drinks have also long been recognized for their medicinal properties, which are primarily derived from the caffeine and antioxidants found in coffee beans and tea leaves. ¹

Positive impacts of tea and coffee on human health

Protection against diseases

 Chronic diseases

 Both tea and coffee contain antioxidants, which may aid in the prevention of certain chronic diseases. Coffee contains a lot of antioxidants, which help to neutralize free radicals, which can cause cell degradation (which is linked to premature aging) and contribute to the development of some cancers. ⁵ Caffeine is a powerful stimulant that has been linked to protection against certain chronic diseases. A cup of coffee contains more caffeine than black tea, but both drinks can provide the same benefits. ⁴

 Cancer

 Coffee's antioxidants may be useful in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as in lowering the risk of liver cancer and death from chronic liver disease. Green tea's antioxidants, according to the National Cancer Institute, may aid in tumor growth reduction. ⁶   Consumption of coffee and green tea may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers have found that the antioxidants in coffee can protect the vascular system. ⁷

 Reduces the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Tea and coffee contain polyphenols that reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and improve insulin secretion.⁸

The negative impact of tea on human health

In addition to the positive effects, coffee and tea also have negative effects. 

Coffee has been linked to several negative side effects, including heart failure, high blood pressure. Coffee (both plain and decaffeinated) can irritate the digestive tract, bladder, and affect the memory, but it is safe to consume in moderation. ⁹

 The excessive caffeine intake applies to both coffee and tea.  Too much tea can cause sleep disturbances, malabsorption of nutrients, increased anxiety, heartburn due to caffeine's effect on the brain, and excessive coffee consumption can lead to addiction. ¹⁰

 Which one is better?                  

Coffee and tea have similar health benefits, such as weight loss, anti-cancer, and energy stimulating. However, depending on your sensitivity to caffeine, you may prefer either one. If you are very sensitive to caffeine, tea may be your best option. It contains L-theanine, an amino acid with soothing properties that can help you relax while maintaining tension. In general, different types of tea and coffee are very healthy, so which one you prefer is mostly a matter of personal preference. Drink organic coffee and tea to avoid pesticides and other potentially harmful substances.

References

1  Binns, C. W., Lee, A. H., & Fraser, M. L. (2008). Tea or coffee? A case study on evidence for dietary advice. Public health nutrition, 11(11), 1132-1141.

2 Gaeini, Z., Bahadoran, Z., Mirmiran, P., & Azizi, F. (2019). Tea, coffee, caffeine intake and the risk of cardio-metabolic outcomes: findings from a population with low coffee and high tea consumption. Nutrition & metabolism, 16(1), 1-10.

3 Khan, N., & Mukhtar, H. (2013). Tea and health: studies in humans. Current pharmaceutical design, 19(34), 6141-6147.

4 Shen, H., Rodriguez, A. C., Shiani, A., Lipka, S., Shahzad, G., Kumar, A., & Mustacchia, P. (2016). Association between caffeine consumption and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Therapeutic advances in gastroenterology, 9(1), 113-120.

5 Scalbert, A., Johnson, I. T., & Saltmarsh, M. (2005). Polyphenols: antioxidants and beyond. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 81(1), 215S-217S.

6 Halder, B., Das Gupta, S., & Gomes, A. (2012). Black tea polyphenols induce human leukemic cell cycle arrest by inhibiting Akt signaling: Possible involvement of Hsp90, Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and FOXO1. The FEBS Journal, 279(16), 2876-2891.

7Larsson, S. C., Virtamo, J., & Wolk, A. (2013). Black tea consumption and risk of stroke in women and men. Annals of epidemiology, 23(3), 157-160.

8 Wang, Y., & Ho, C. T. (2009). Polyphenolic chemistry of tea and coffee: a century of progress. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 57(18), 8109-8114.

9 Turnbull, D., Rodricks, J. V., Mariano, G. F., & Chowdhury, F. (2017). Caffeine and cardiovascular health. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 89, 165-185.

10 Meredith, S. E., Juliano, L. M., Hughes, J. R., & Griffiths, R. R. (2013). Caffeine use disorder: a comprehensive review and research agenda. Journal of caffeine research, 3(3), 114-130.

11 <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/front-view-cup-tea-with-honey-lemon-dark-background-meal-morning-egg-breakfast-color-table-coffee-food_22290310.htm">Image by KamranAydinov</a> on Freepik

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