When it comes to choosing whether coffee or tea will be best in the morning, your decision may depend on personal taste and tolerance of caffeine; however, it’s essential that we consider overall health and diet when making this choice. Health Shots spoke with nutritionist Avni Kaul to find out which option would be more beneficial.

Coffee and tea contain beneficial plant compounds called polyphenols, which help to decrease chronic inflammation while neutralizing cell-damaging free radicals. A recent study concluded that people who drink either coffee or tea are at lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, liver disease and depression than those who do not consume either beverage.

Coffee contains more caffeine than tea: an 8-ounce serving of regular coffee typically contains 80 to 100 milligrams; in comparison, an equivalent 8-ounce cup of black or green tea only contains 30-50 milligrams; pure herbal teas usually do not contain any at all.

Note that healthy adults should consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine daily; that would require three to five 8-ounce cups of regular coffee before you reach this threshold, although you would require even more to start feeling anxious or restless.

Coffee is a diuretic, increasing urine production and leading to dehydration. Therefore, it is advised to drink several glasses of water with your coffee or tea in order to stay properly hydrated. Tea on the other hand provides added hydration benefits which may help prevent dehydration during wintertime.

Tea varieties such as oolong and matcha contain an amino acid called L-theanine that aids the body’s natural metabolism of caffeine more gradually for sustained energy boost. Therefore, they’re an ideal option for those with sensitive stomachs.

Also keep in mind that many people add unhealthy ingredients to their coffee or tea beverages, like milk, sugar, or tapioca pearls (used in bubble tea). These additional calories could make your drink high-calorie and may lead to weight gain; so for best results it may be best to choose plain or low-calorie tea options when possible.