The Debate of Coffee vs Tea
When debating which healthy beverage to enjoy, many find themselves choosing between coffee and tea. But which is healthier? Here we break down the discussion and dive into research to identify which would be the best option.
Nutrients In Coffee and Tea
Coffee boasts some impressive nutritional benefits. One cup of brewed coffee contains:
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 11% of the daily recommended intake
- Pantothenic (vitamin B5): 6%
- Manganese and potassium: 3% each
- Magnesium and Niacin (vitamin B3): 2% each
Tea also offers strong nutrient content. In one cup of tea, you’ll find:
- Fluoride: 14% of the daily recommended value
- Manganese: 2%
- Folate (vitamin B12): 1%
- Vitamin B2, B3 and B5: trace amounts
Caffeine
One cup of coffee contains between 95-200 mg of caffeine on average, and one cup of tea contains around 47-75mg. Therefore, coffee statiscally has more caffeine, but tea still has some. The type of coffee, brewing method and size of the cup affects how much caffeine you’ll ultimately consume.
Health Benefits
Both coffee and tea have a wide range of health benefits, from protecting your heart to reducing cancer risk.
In terms of heart health, research suggests that both coffee and tea can help reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. Coffee boasts an impressive array of antioxidants, which have been proven to reduce inflammation and protect against heart disease.
Teas are also a great way to increase fluid intake yes and protect against cancer. Water-soluble polyphenols, found in tea, have powerful anticancer properties. Teas also contain high levels of flavonoids, which have been linked to reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.
Which Is Healthier?
The debate of which is healthier depends largely on personal preference. Both coffee and tea are great sources of essential vitamins and minerals and can provide many health benefits. Ultimately, the choice between coffee and tea comes down to how much caffeine you want to consume and what kind of flavour you prefer.
