A Spot of Tea or Cup o' Joe?

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Would you like a spot of tea? Or are you a cup o' Joe type of person? There has been an ongoing debate of whether tea or coffee is better for you, which one you should drink in the morning, and what the actual health benefits of each are. I definitely prefer coffee over tea, but there are days a cup of tea taste pretty amazing. So just what is the difference and which is better? 

If you like to add milk, cream or sugar to either tea or coffee, know that these are always added calories and can affect your health in a negative way. If possible, drink your coffee black and your tea unsweetened for the best nutrition benefits. 

So let's get started on the positives... Both coffee and tea are high in antioxidants. Body tissues suffer due to the process of oxidation. Oxidation occurs when molecules within your body lose electrons called "free radicals." These free radicals have the potential to cause damage to cellular DNA, which over time, can become irreversible and lead to disease. Since oxidation is a natural process, our bodies need antioxidants keep free radical levels in your body low and maintain good health. 

Antioxidants boast a range of health benefits. Although they aren't proven to treat any conditions, research has shown that antioxidants have also been shown to help fight diseases such as:

•     Cancer
•     Cardiovascular disease
•     Cognitive impairment
•     Immune dysfunction
•     Cataracts
•     Macular degeneration
•     Alzheimer's

Aside from the antioxidant benefits, tea and coffee can help promote weight loss. Be careful if you opt for tea; your best option is Green, White or Black tea for the most antioxidant properties and their ability to promote weight loss. The EGCG properties found in these teas actually have a glucose-lowering effect, which influences cravings and may help control hunger. So ditch the chips or cookies as your midday snack and grab a cup of tea to satisfy your hunger. 

Coffee is made from green coffee bean, which is a remarkable weight management ingredient. Doctor Oz has raved about this ingredient as well. Research shows that green coffee bean contains a class of compounds called hydroxycinnamic acids. Green coffee bean contains the compound chlorogenic acid, which works to inhibit the release of glucose in the body and increases the metabolic process in the liver thus promoting weight loss. 

Here are some more interesting comparisons: 

Still can't tell whether tea or coffee is better? Neither can we! They both have useful properties and benefits to them. Since coffee contains more caffeine, drink it in the morning and go for a cup of tea in the afternoon.