Drinking green tea is popular in the health and wellness industry. Adding green tea to your diet may seem like a great idea. It has been proven to relieve stress, calm you down, and give you energy. This is reported by WomanEL with reference to “Nezavisimy Korrespondent”. But should you switch to this drink? Is it true that green tea is better than coffee?
ContentGreen tea is better than coffee: what does science know?Drink these types of green tea instead of coffeeIs green tea better than coffee, besides health?
We will compare the antioxidant content of green tea and coffee, as well as various other compounds, to see if green tea is healthier than coffee.
Green tea is better than coffee: what does science know?
While it’s hard to say whether green tea is better than coffee, we can certainly compare the two beverages in terms of their health benefits. Here are some of the scientifically proven benefits you’ll get if you drink green tea instead of coffee.
- Rich in catechins. The most notable catechin is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been linked to various health benefits, including potential anti-cancer properties. When it comes to the antioxidants in green tea and coffee, there’s no competition.
- L-Theanine Content. Green tea contains something that coffee does not, the amino acid L-theanine, which has a calming and relaxing effect. The combination of L-theanine and caffeine in green tea provides a balanced and targeted boost of energy without the side effects often associated with the jitters of coffee.
- Gentler on the stomach. Green tea is generally gentler on the stomach compared to coffee, which can be more acidic and cause digestive discomfort in some people.
- Dental health benefits. When comparing the antioxidants in coffee and green tea, green tea not only has more catechins, but also another class of antioxidants called polyphenols. These polyphenols may inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, potentially reducing the risk of tooth decay and promoting overall oral health.
- Potential cardiovascular benefits. Some studies suggest that green tea may have cardiovascular benefits, including lowering LDL cholesterol, improving artery function, and promoting heart health. These benefits are not as pronounced in coffee.
- Low caffeine content. Green tea generally contains less caffeine than coffee. This may be beneficial for people looking to reduce their caffeine intake or those who are sensitive to its stimulating effects.
- Improved hydration. Green tea helps you stay hydrated and can help you stay hydrated. Unlike coffee, which can be a diuretic, green tea is less likely to cause dehydration.
- Support weight management. Some studies suggest that the combination of catechins and caffeine in green tea may have a mild thermogenic effect, potentially helping with weight management by increasing calorie burn.
- Mental alertness without jitters. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine in green tea helps keep you alert without the jitters that often occur with large doses of coffee.
If you have digestive problems, you need to drink certain beverages. Here are the best options.
Drink these types of green tea instead of coffee
Matcha is packed with antioxidants (including polyphenols like catechins) and phytochemicals (like chlorophyll and quercetin), Source: freepik.com
If you've been convinced that “green tea is better than coffee,” here are some great teas to start with. These teas are perfect for coffee lovers, whether you're craving caffeine or a taste of it.
- Gyokuro. Gyokuro is a Japanese green tea that has a unique sweet-salty flavor. A single serving of gyokuro contains 120-140 mg of caffeine, which is more than a cup of coffee. You may not notice the same crash as you would with coffee because gyokuro also contains a lot of L-theanine.
- Matcha. Matcha powder is another high-caffeine green tea. Like gyokuro, it also contains a lot of theanine to help counteract some of the negative side effects of caffeine. Ceremonial matcha contains about 68 mg of caffeine per teaspoon. But you can easily use twice that in a cup to get your morning caffeine fix.
- Hojicha. If you don’t mind giving up caffeine but not the taste of coffee, then hojicha is a great option! It’s a roasted Japanese green tea that gives it a bolder, roasted flavor of coffee, caramel, or chocolate. This tea is low in caffeine, but does a great job of imitating the taste of coffee!
Is green tea better than coffee, apart from health?
Now that we Now that we've answered the question of whether green tea is healthier than coffee, let's talk about the unhealthy, non-health-related benefits of drinking green tea instead of coffee.
- Versatility. If we look at matcha, a powdered green tea, it can be added to all sorts of drinks and recipes. While espresso powder can be a great topping for tiramisu, there aren’t many recipes that can easily incorporate coffee. And if you’ve never had matcha tiramisu, you’ll know the difference right away!
- Variety. Sure, coffee comes in a wide variety of varieties, from robusta to arabica, and light to dark roasts. But tea boasts an even wider range of flavors. There are 6 main types of tea: white tea, yellow tea, green tea, oolong, red tea, and dark tea. Within each type of tea, there are hundreds of different sub-species that can be used to make it, not to mention the growing, processing, and aging methods. You can find almost any flavor you're looking for in the world of tea.
So is green tea better than coffee? We'll leave that question up to you. All we can say is that green tea has many benefits over coffee.
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