Guilty or guilt-free—the jury is still out on the health implications of coffee. A staple in the morning routine of millions of Canadians and Americans, coffee drinkers often advocate its health benefits. On the other side of the fence, sit non-coffee drinkers loudly proclaiming the liquid’s harsh effects and singing the  praises of tea. Which side of the fence  has the greener grass? In short, it all depends. 

Coffee is an easy wake-up call:

Caffeine works by blocking  adenosine, a sleep-inducing compound, thereby relieving the inertia of many coffee connoisseurs in the morning. One eight-ounce cup of coffee has 85 milligrams of caffeine, while tea contains only half that amount. Coffee clearly gives the best stimulatory effect. However, considering that one can become more quickly habituated to the effects of coffee’s caffeine, consumption should be limited.

Tea glorifies the power of antioxidants:

Both beverages are rich in potent cancer-fighting antioxidants. Coffee’s quinines and chlorogenic acids make it a great source of antioxidants in the Canadian diet, but this is largely due to he substantial amount that Canadians drink. Tea  comes out on top with its flavonoid content; a superior antioxidant which is comparable to fruits and vegetables in terms of nutrition. According to one study, tea drinkers can consume up to 20 times more antioxidants than non-tea drinkers.

Tea and coffee both act as miracle drugs against common disease:

The disease-fighting potential of tea versus coffee cannot be directly compared, since both substances contribute to disease prevention like obesity, diabetes, and cancer in different ways. Teas have been shown to be superior in the fight against inflammation and the effects of aging, whereas coffee eases some effects of heart disease, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Coffee is the ultimate memory stimulator:

In the brain, coffee alters mood, behaviour, perception, and even consciousness as it stimulates the happy hormone, dopamine. Coffee enhances short- and long-term memory and regular consumption is linked to a protection against delining cognition ability in the aging population. It affords protection against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, and general memory loss. This effect is less noticeable in teas, thanks to lower levels of caffeine.

Heart Health: a little coffee, tons of tea:

A little bit of coffee protects against heart disease, but in excess coffee can raise blood cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and constrict blood vessels around the heart, thereby aggravating heart conditions. Over-consumption of coffee can trigger tissue death in the heart as it causes an immediate increase in heart rate. Tea only reduces circulating fats and cholesterol, supporting cardiovascular health.

Nerves—Soothed by tea, aggravated by coffee:

Caffeine is immediately absorbed into the brain and immediately impacts the nerves upon consumption. Caffeine also ramps up the adrenaline levels in our blood. The concentration of caffeine in coffee and the Canadian habit of drinking cup after cup can easily facilitate nervousness, anxiety, and increased blood pressure. Teas, substantially lower in caffeine content is absorbed more slowly into the blood, thus reducing the effects.

Coffee is key to an athlete’s routine:

During exercise, caffeine stimulates blood flow to the extremities,  allowing us to work harder and longer. This leads to more effective workouts, muscle gain, and increased athletic performance. Coffee also speeds recovery time:  one cup of coffee before a workout decreases post workout stiffness by 48 per cent.

The bottom line:

The aromatic bitterness of coffee and the smooth tartness of tea each provide healthful boosts to our diet. Coffee is more concentrated and can negatively impact your ability to process information. Tea on the other hand, is calming, instead of invigorating, yet holds the same healthful benefits as coffee.

The verdict? Drink coffee, only when needed; in the morning, as a part of your physical training routine, or just once during that 10-hour study session. However, if you are just craving a little boost, guiltlessly indulge in as many cups of tea as you want, without the fear of overdoing it.