Which is better for health, tea or coffee?

For a long time, tea has enjoyed a high reputation all over the world, originated in China, and is an ancient and healthy drink. Coffee, originally an Arabic drink, became popular in Europe sometime in the 17th century and then spread around the world. Both radishes and greens have their own preferences, and in terms of taste, tea lovers and coffee lovers are on a par. But from a health point of view, which drink is better for human health?

First, let's break down a few key components of both beverages.

caffeine content

With more caffeine than tea, about 100 to 150 mg per 8 ounces, coffee can provide the energy you need in the morning. Caffeine is one of the main reasons people drink coffee because of its mood-boosting and focus-enhancing properties. It acts as a central nervous system stimulant, improving reaction time and improving mental clarity. About 15 minutes after a person eats, the caffeine in the drink enters the bloodstream. Caffeine can easily cross the blood-brain barrier because its chemical structure is very similar to the neurotransmitter Adenosine. This similarity also has the consequence of allowing caffeine to bind to adenosine. Since one of adenosine's jobs is to control the sleep-wake cycle in humans, this binding prevents the activation of adenosine receptors. As more of these unbound receptors are blocked around, dopamine uptake increases. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that affects mood, motivation, and cognition, is what makes coffee so high.

As for tea, caffeine content varies by tea type, brand, and brewing method. Brewed black tea typically contains about 45 mg of caffeine, followed by oolong tea (about 40 mg), green tea (about 30 mg), and white tea (about 25 mg). Likewise, tea has a refreshing effect, but it will be more subtle, which is perfect for those who are more sensitive to caffeine.

The caffeine in tea affects the body a little differently than coffee because tea contains an amino acid compound called Lt heanine. In animal models, L-theanine works by increasing serotonin, dopamine, and GABA levels in the brain. GABA is actually an inhibitory neurotransmitter that reduces the activity of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, which in turn is a major contributor to anxiety.

Anti-cancer

There is evidence that both tea and coffee can reduce the risk of cancer and slow tumor growth. The key to the cancer-fighting properties of these beverages, according to research, is their high antioxidant content, in the form of polyphenols. Free radicals (Free Radicals) are produced by metabolic processes in our body and absorbed from the environment through cigarette smoke, pollution, radiation and other chemicals. These free radicals have an unpaired electron and want to bind to whatever is paired with that electron. When free radicals bind to tissue and DNA within cells, it hinders normal function and causes damage, sometimes in the form of cancer. Antioxidants, on the other hand, have spare electrons that can easily bind to these free radicals, effectively neutralizing them.

Tea contains antioxidants, especially flavonoids. Green tea contains high concentrations of catechins and black tea contains Theaflavins and Thearubigens, all of which are potent antioxidants, but green tea is thought to provide more healthful than black tea. Antioxidants. Brewed hot tea has the highest polyphenol concentration. Powdered instant and iced teas do not contain antioxidants. Many studies have been conducted on the anticancer properties of tea, and there is evidence that tea consumption can reduce the risk of cancer of the skin, breast, prostate, esophagus, lung, ovary, and digestive system.

Coffee actually contains more antioxidants per cup than tea, but be aware that drinking too much coffee or tea can increase your risk of esophageal cancer.

heart health

In addition to polyphenols that play an important role in preventing cell damage and cancer, these compounds, which are abundantly found in tea and coffee, may also help prevent cardiovascular disease in humans. With both stroke and heart disease leading the world, there are steps we can take to enhance our heart and brain health.

Tea, especially green tea, also has a very significant effect on cholesterol. As a possible explanation for this effect, a laboratory study found that polyphenols in green tea inhibited the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), a process thought to help prevent heart disease. Green tea intake has also been shown to significantly reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.

Coffee has also been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. A study that analyzed more than 80,000 women over a 24-year period found that drinking one cup of coffee a day was associated with a 12% lower risk of stroke and 2-3 cups a day was associated with a 19% lower risk. Another study on the relationship between coffee and tea consumption and cardiovascular health found that people who drank 2-3 cups of coffee a day had a 21% lower risk of coronary heart disease.

One proposed mechanism for this association is that the caffeine in coffee makes your heart beat faster and increases circulation in your body. However, this also means that coffee can cause a brief, sharp rise in blood pressure, which can also lead to a heart attack or stroke in people with heart disease.

While coffee reduces the risk of heart disease in most people, there are a small number of people with a genetic mutation that makes drinking coffee not only unhealthy, but can pose serious health risks. The CYP1A2 gene is responsible for encoding an enzyme that breaks down caffeine in the liver. Carriers of the mutation take more time to process caffeine, which can lead to heart attacks if they consume too much coffee in a short period of time.

brain function

For coffee, there is ample evidence that the caffeine in coffee, if consumed regularly, can reduce the risk of later-stage Parkinson's disease and dementia. One study looked at 6,710 older adults over a 22-year period. Those who drank 10 or more cups of coffee a day had a 74 percent lower risk of Parkinson's disease.

In addition to helping reduce cognitive decline, recent research from Johns Hopkins University has shown that caffeine can also help consolidate long-term memory. In their study, individuals were asked to identify and rate images they displayed 24 hours earlier. One group was given 200 mg of caffeine before the images were shown, while the other was given a placebo. People given caffeine pills were better able to recognize and remember images shown to them the day before. Surprisingly, caffeine can not only help focus, but also help form memories.

As for tea, there is also evidence that the polyphenols in tea can effectively prevent these diseases and reduce oxidative stress in the brain. Polyphenols and other antioxidants in tea reduce in vitro inflammation-induced protein denaturation in a dose-dependent manner. Green tea catechins also help control overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduce lipid peroxidation and reduce overall oxidative stress.

lose weight

Tea, especially green tea and green tea extract, appears to have effects on fat oxidation and metabolism due to its high catechin content and moderate caffeine content. Catechin and caffeine act at the cellular level by inhibiting catechol O-methyltransferase as well as phosphodiesterase. These catechins also have anti-angiogenic effects, which means they inhibit the formation of new blood vessels. This may play an important role in preventing the accumulation of new adipose tissue.

Although coffee lacks the catechin content of green tea, it has a higher caffeine content. Caffeine has an inhibitory effect on phosphodiesterase, but it also acts through several other mechanisms, including intracellular mobilization of calcium and increased sensitivity of myofibrils to calcium.

In addition to increasing fat oxidation and improving physical performance, caffeine also has an appetite suppressant effect. Obese individuals who consumed 6 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight per day and breakfast consumed significantly fewer calories compared to controls with drinking water.

Every day, more research shows that drinking tea and coffee brings many health benefits. For most people, both are good options when it comes to health.