Coffee and tea are popular beverages around the United States. While there has been concern about the health effects of too much caffeine from these drinks, evidence suggests that both of these drinks may confer health benefits. The exact reason for the benefits is not fully understood; the antioxidants contained in both drinks may be involved. To reap the health benefits, you should drink coffee and tea black--without milk--because the milk may interfere with the effect of the antioxidants, as noted on the NetDoctor website.
Brain Health
Drinking coffee and tea in moderate amounts may ward of dementia or Alzhemier's disease. As reported in a July 11, 2010, article in "USA Today," a study presented at the Alzheimer's Association international conference showed that people who drank tea had less mental decline than people who did not drink tea at all. Other studies have shown coffee consumption may lower the risk of dementia later in life, according to NetDoctor. These effects do not appear to be related to the amount of caffeine consumed; other substances like antioxidants, which are called polyphenols, may have more of an effect in maintaining your brain health.
Heart Health
Another area that coffee and tea may positively affect is heart health. An article published on the AARP's website reported that people who drank two to four cups of coffee each day had a 20 percent less chance of developing heart disease than people who drank more cups or fewer cups. Drinking six cups of tea each day decreased the risk of heart disease by 36 percent. Another study showed similar results from drinking tea--but only in women, as noted on NetDoctor. It is not suggested that you should automatically drink large qualities or either coffee or tea just to avoid heart disease; this is evidence that drinking these beverages will not increase your heart health risks.
Cancer Prevention
One possible benefit of drinking coffee or tea is a reduced risk of cancer. Research has shown that people who drink coffee and tea are less likely to develop a typical of brain cancer, malignant glioma, according to the National Institutes of Health. Drinking two cups of black tea each day may also decrease the risk of ovarian cancer, as noted on NetDoctor. Four cups of coffee led to a 30 percent decrease in risk of mouth and throat cancers, according to the AARP article. It is not suggested that you start drinking both beverages simply to avoid developing cancer; more research is needed.
Lowered Diabetes Risk
High amounts of coffee and tea may lead to lower risk of type 2 diabetes, as reported by Rachel Huxley and colleagues in the Dec. 14/28, 2009, issue of "Archives of Internal Medicine." Participants in the study who drank coffee--either caffeinated or decaffeinated--and tea were less likely to develop diabetes. Another study showed that drinking coffee cuts that risk of diabetes in half, as reported on NetDoctor. This benefit is also thought to be the result of the antioxidants contained in the beverages; more study will be needed to help clarify these results.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Coffee, Tea Linked to Lower Risk of Brain Tumor
- AARP: Coffee or Tea? Yes, Please
- "Archives of Internal Medicine;" Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, and Tea Consumption in Relation to Incident Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Huxley Rachel and colleagues; 2009.
- "USAToday;" Study: Exercise, Tea and Vitamin D to Ward Off Dementia; Mary Brophy Marcus; 7.11.2010
- NetDoctor.co.uk:The Health Benefits of Tea and Coffee
Member Comments