There are the people who only drink coffee, and then, there are others who only drink tea. A rich cup of coffee can give you a boost of energy while a soothing cup of tea can trigger relaxation. But both beverages can be served hot or cold, can brighten up any mood, and most importantly give the body a caffeinated kick. But which one is better for you? Let’s explore this “heated,”(because both can be served hot) debate.  

The Small Change Diet author and nutritionist Keri Gans writes “Both coffee and tea are known to contain antioxidant-rich polyphenols with anti-inflammatory benefits.” Coffee and tea provide antioxidants to the body that aid to reduce various cancers, diabetes, and even heart disease; however, tea builds your immune system, making it stronger. Tea also gives the body needed hydration. Overall, these two beverages draw a tie in the category of antioxidants and healthy aging.  

For the average person, a caffeine kick is the end goal when drinking coffee or tea. When you compare the two, coffee has much more caffeine than tea. On average coffee has 100-300 milligrams of caffeine per cup while tea only has 20-60 milligrams per cup.  

Ultimately, caffeine is a stimulant, and when the body consumes a high dosage, it then triggers jitters from being over-caffeinated. People who don’t like the jumpy feeling that comes with the jitters of coffee may want to gravitate towards tea instead. Consuming too much caffeine can cause headaches, increased blood pressure, and even muscle aches. With that being said, drink in moderation.  

In this discussion, we can conclude that coffee and tea have similar health benefits. Once you introduce sugars, creamers, syrups, and other “enhancers” to these two beverages then, the healthy choice conversation changes. But all in all, it’s a matter of personal preference when choosing which one is better for your body. 

Ways to come down from a caffeine kick. 

On average it can take up to four to six hours for someone to come down from a caffeine high, but depending on your sensitivity it might take much longer. Just like a hangover, there are ways to speed up the waiting process. 

More Water, Please: Drinking plenty of water can do two things. First, it can prevent dehydration which can happen when consuming too much caffeine. Second, drinking water can filter what you consumed out of your body.  

Step Away From the Caffeine: Once you’ve reached your peek of caffeine, simply walk away. Don’t go overboard and take in more; you’re only causing more problems.  

Written by Domonique Whitehurst