Coffee and tea each offer many health advantages; they boost energy, sharpen focus, and fight free radicals in your body – plus both have been linked with reduced risks of heart disease, diabetes and cancers of the liver, throat, esophagus and breast. But which beverage offers more benefits?

Coffee or tea? That is your call. Both beverages contain powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols that have been found to reduce chronic inflammation and neutralize cell-damaging free radicals, making both excellent additions to a healthy diet as long as too much sugar or other calories are added.

Coffee and tea contain caffeine, a mild stimulant which can increase alertness and mental focus. But their effects may differ significantly; coffee may make some people nervous or anxious while disrupting sleep whereas tea offers similar boosts without the side effects.

Coffee and tea both contain natural compounds that protect against heart disease, while both are low in fat content. A few cups of either can even lower your risk of heart attack and stroke by helping improve cholesterol levels, prevent clot formation and keeping blood pressure at an acceptable level.

Coffee or tea may help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and fatty liver disease by replacing sweetened beverages like soda with caffeine-containing ones such as tea or coffee; both beverages also aid cognitive decline during middle age while the latter could even prevent certain forms of cancer – prostate or breast.

Tea may hinder iron absorption due to tannins bind with food iron molecules and prevent absorption by the digestive tract, especially pregnant women or those taking birth control pills who may be at greater risk of deficiency. But simply drinking your tea between meals could counteract this effect. Also consider switching from prepackaged tea bags to loose leaves or making your own so as to prevent unnecessary oxidation in a bag.

Coffee and tea both contain caffeine, but both also provide ample sources of the amino acid theanine – an amino acid which can ease anxiety while providing relaxation and restful sleep. According to one recent study, tea drinkers were found to fall asleep more quickly and easily than coffee drinkers due to either its lower caffeine content or theanine. Both drinks pose some health risks however so try keeping your intake to no more than 300 mg a day to be on the safe side! To learn more about how drinks affect health talk to one of Banner health care provider today.