Healthy Benefits of Drinking Tea or Coffee
The Benefits of Starting Your Day with Tea or Coffee
Everyone has a morning ritual. Brewing a fresh pot of coffee might get you energized at the office or steeping tealeaves could remind you of a relaxing Sunday morning from your childhood. People have their preferences (some more than others), but which is truly better: tea or coffee?
Drink to Your Health
While many people enjoy coffee or tea for the taste, there are many health benefits for both. Warm beverages, for example, affect your core temperature, activate your metabolism and can even lead to weight loss. Additionally, substituting a cup of green tea for every can of soda has the potential to save the average American 50,000 calories per year. Don’t think we’re forgetting about coffee; research has shown that coffee has been linked to decreased chances of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Type 2 Diabetes and even certain cancers.
Drawbacks When You've Had Too Much
While tea and coffee are healthy alternatives to many sugary drinks, excessive intake of either can lead to health complications. Tea is rich in tannins, which, while good for you in moderation, can lead to reduced iron absorption and result in iron deficiency if you consume too much. Also, many people like to sweeten their tea with sugar, which can defeat the purpose of skipping the fruit juice or soda if you’re not careful. Raw honey is a good alternative that saves on sugars while maximizing flavor and adding extra antioxidants into your drink!
Coffee contains acid (as do many foods and drinks in varying amounts), but too much acid can hurt your tooth enamel or potentially cause gastric ulcers for some people. However, coffee has a pH of about 5, which means it is less acidic than drinks like soda or even orange juice. For people with high cholesterol, it is important to choose filtered coffees, as coffee beans contain cafestol and kahweol, two natural compounds linked to raising LDL cholesterol levels.
Who Should Drink Tea and Coffee?
Tea and coffee are two of the healthiest drinks outside of regular ol’ water, but it is important to note that both coffee and tea contain caffeine. Children and adolescents should be cautioned about excessive caffeine intake. Tea has less caffeine than coffee and that caffeine content can be further lessened by steeping your tea for longer periods of time. Herbal teas, brewed from fruits, barks, roots or flowers, are naturally caffeine-free and can be a good alternative for women who are pregnant, attempting to become pregnant, or breastfeeding who are missing their regular cup of tea.
For most people, though, one or two cups of coffee or tea a day is a great choice! It can kick-start your morning, turn around your afternoon, or relax you before going to bed. When consumed in moderation both tea and coffee provide innumerable benefits to make you a healthier person.
A Curated Selection of Premium Coffees and Teas
Whether you’re Team Coffee or Team Tea, SmartBox has you covered. Find a variety of premium teas, coffee grounds and coffee snack bars in our online store. Take advantage of our discounted pricing today and skip your next trip to the corner grocer!
