All the hype about green tea has gotten me wondering about my morning cup-o-joe.  What is really more beneficial; green tea or coffee?  Should I pack-up my trusted French press and move in the hand-made Japanese tea pot?  Here is a list of the pro’s and con’s of each:

Green Tea

Benefits of Drinking Green Tea:

• Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, in particular epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a powerful anti-oxidant.  EGCG is known for preventing and fighting cancer cells.
• Lowers LDL cholesterol levels.  This can help prevent abnormal blood clots which are a primary cause of heart attacks and strokes.
• Green tea is alkaline. Today’s diet of fried foods, simple carbohydrates and red meats all contribute to increased acidic levels in the body.   The body works to maintain a neutral pH which involves keeping a balance between the acid and alkaline in foods and liquids we ingest.  Minerals in the body like calcium are used to lower acid levels.  A diet high in acid could contribute to osteoporosis, acid reflux, and chronic inflammation.  Where as a diet high in fruits, vegetables and grains keeps the body alkaline which is believed to be good for overall well-being and health.
• Helps prevent tooth decay. There is an anti-fungal agent in green tea that helps keep teeth and the mouth healthy.
• Green tea extract can help burn calories. A study released in 1999 revealed that men who drank green tea burned more calories than the control group who was not drinking green tea.
• Daily consumption of four or more cups may help prevent rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Side Effects of consuming Green Tea:

• Minimal side effects.  The only known side effect may be insomnia induced by the caffeine in green tea.  However, only a small amount of caffeine is in green tea (30-60mg.) compared with coffee (100mg) per 8 ounces.

 Coffee

Benefits of Drinking Coffee:

•  Has anti-oxidants which help prevent diseases like cancer.
• Coffee may help in protecting against Parkinson’s disease in men but not in women.
• Type 2 diabetes and liver cancer preventative in moderate coffee drinkers.

 Side Effects of Drinking Coffee:

• May raise cholesterol.  Two chemicals, kahweol and cafestol , in unfiltered coffee are known to raise levels of cholesterol.
• Acidity of coffee can lead to heartburn or acid reflux disease.
• Pregnant women should not consume large amounts of coffee, more than 12 oz. a day, which can lead to miscarriage, low birth weight and premature delivery.
• Heavy caffeine use —more than 4 cups a day— can cause problems such as anxiety, irritability, restlessness and insomnia.

Which to Choose, Green Tea or Coffee?

Weighing the pros and cons seems to lean in favor of green tea.  However, coffee isn’t all that bad and has some health benefits.  The most important thing to remember is to keep things in moderation.  I think I will keep my french press and tea pot within close reach.  For connoisseur of tea and coffee, drink on.

 

 

 

Sources for this article:

1. The Green Tea Expert at http://www.green-tea-expert.com/index.html

1. The Miracle of Green Tea at http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa011400a.htm

1. Green Tea Health Benefits at http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa011400b.htm

1. Coffee Health Benefits at http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/coffee_health_benefits

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