Green tea and coffee are familiar beverages to many. Both contain caffeine, which provides a sense of alertness. Additionally, coffee and green tea are rich in antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals and slow down aging…
However, the nutritional profiles of coffee and green tea differ significantly, offering distinct benefits to the body.
What benefits will you gain by completely substituting coffee with green tea?
Green Tea Provides Alertness Without Restlessness or a Racing Heart
While both coffee and green tea contain caffeine, the way this substance affects the body differs when consuming these two beverages.
Coffee provides a quick boost of alertness. However, due to its high caffeine content, it can induce anxiety and restlessness. While energy levels may spike, they can also plummet shortly after.
On the other hand, green tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine and is also rich in L-theanine, a unique amino acid that induces a gentle state of alertness and improves focus. These effects last longer compared to coffee. Additionally, drinking green tea does not cause restlessness or a rapid heartbeat.
Research indicates that L-theanine increases alpha waves in the brain, which are associated with mental focus and relaxation.
Green Tea Contains More Antioxidants
Green tea is exceptionally high in antioxidants, containing catechins such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Numerous studies on green tea have highlighted this fact.
The antioxidants in green tea combat free radicals that harm the body. Free radicals cause cellular damage, accelerate aging, and contribute to various diseases. Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress, slow down cellular aging, boost overall health, and prevent chronic illnesses.
While coffee also contains antioxidants, the levels and varieties are not as high as those found in green tea. Green tea is often considered superior in terms of antioxidant content, and its effects are more diverse.
EGCG, a potent antioxidant in green tea, has been the subject of extensive research.
Green Tea Offers Better Cardiovascular and Brain Health Support
The potential benefits of green tea for cardiovascular health have been demonstrated in multiple studies. Moderate consumption of green tea helps lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and reduces blood pressure. Additionally, the antioxidants in green tea protect blood vessels from free radical damage.
The combination of caffeine and L-theanine in green tea also provides several cognitive benefits, including improved memory, enhanced focus, and better overall brain function.
According to the Health and Life newspaper, a long-term study conducted in Japan over 11 years found that the risk of death from cardiovascular disease was reduced by 22% to 33% in individuals who drank more than two cups of green tea per day, compared to those who drank less than half a cup per day.
Other studies have also shown that regular green tea consumption is associated with lower blood pressure.
Furthermore, a 2022 study published in the journal “Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience” linked tea drinking habits to lower rates of cognitive decline in elderly Chinese individuals. Green tea was found to enhance learning, connectivity, and memory retention.
Green Tea is Gentler on the Digestive System
Coffee has a higher acid content than green tea, and it contains compounds that stimulate the production of stomach acid. In contrast, green tea is neutral to alkaline, contains caffeine and L-theanine, and is generally milder on the digestive system.
Individuals with a history of stomach problems or acid reflux may find that switching from coffee to green tea helps maintain alertness without aggravating their digestive issues or causing discomfort.
A 2006 study published in the “American Journal of Gastroenterology” surveyed various beverages and their association with acid reflux symptoms. The study found that coffee tended to worsen reflux symptoms. For sensitive individuals, coffee can also trigger other digestive issues due to its higher caffeine content.
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