In 2023, coffee sales were nearly double that of tea, with 522 million packs sold. According to a Statista survey, 63 per cent of Brits drink coffee regularly, compared to 59 per cent choosing tea.
Both beverages contain caffeine, with tea averaging around 50mg and coffee 150mg. It’s recommended to not exceed 400mg a day. But is one better for our health than the other?
Priya Tew is an avid tea drinker; research has drawn her towards a morning cup of green tea, and pick-me-ups of black tea throughout the day.
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When tea, especially black or oolong tea, goes through the oxidation process, a group of polyphenols called theaflavins are formed. They exhibit antioxidant properties, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and can help protect against UVB damage. One study by Life Extension Europe found them to have anti-tumour effects, and to aid in cancer prevention.
Tea also contains trace amounts of manganese (which contributes to bone health), potassium (that can help regulate fluid balance in the body) and vitamin C, which supports the immune system.
Health benefits of coffee
Baic drinks both tea and coffee daily. “It’s a bit of a myth that caffeinated drinks are dehydrating,” she says. “It’s true that, if you have a very large, strong coffee, you might get a diuretic effect but they’re net hydrators, which means they’re giving you more than what you’re losing. If you’re a regular drinker, you tend to adapt to that diuretic effect.
She says that people should still drink water for hydration rather than relying on hot beverages for their daily fluid intake. The general recommendation is to drink around two litres (or six to eight glasses) per day.
Dietitian Carrie Ruxton found that, within the recommended dosage, caffeine can improve alertness, short-term memory, mood and feelings of tiredness, but exceeding this can increase anxiety and headaches.
Baic has a tea in the morning and coffee after lunch
Adding milk to a tea or coffee can offer more benefits, including ingestion of calcium and protein. Semi-skimmed milk typically contains around 3.5 grams of protein per 100ml serving.
Both tea and coffee contain virtually no calories but coffee shops that add cream and syrups to your drinks – and large quantities of milk rather than a splash – can add overall calories of a coffee up to 400, which adds up if taken multiple times a day.
The downsides
Although there are few downsides to either drink, coffee has been linked to digestion issues in some people, due to the higher caffeine levels. “It depends on your own digestive system,” says Tew. “Some people will find that tea and coffee can make digestive symptoms worse, and it can exacerbate IBS”.
The ECGC compound, particularly in green and black tea, can have iron-chelating properties, which can reduce iron absorption in the body. It can be beneficial in conditions like iron overload (where the body absorbs too much iron from food), but may also contribute to iron deficiency in others.
The social impact
Overall, both tea and coffee have similar benefits. One compound found in green tea, L-theanine, has an impact on mood, says Baic, as it can increase the “feel-good neurotransmitters” in the brain.
“The other thing that is beneficial is the whole ritual of making tea and coffee,” she says. “It’s a real social thing. The whole idea of it has got positive benefits in terms of ritual, relaxation, social and just taking a break. There are so many benefits to that ritual.”
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