Teas are naturally caffeinated and packed with antioxidants. Black and green teas generally have the highest caffeine content of all teas. Cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that "black or green tea may help reduce a potentially harmful constriction of blood vessels after a high-fat meal." This study complements additional research that suggests certain beverages and foods rich in antioxidants may prevent heart disease.
History
India and Asia were the first cultures to drink tea. Green, black and oolong tea are made from Camellia sinensis plant leaves. The leaves contain chemicals called polyphenols that contain powerful antioxidant agents. The tea leaves provide alkaloids such as caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. These alkaloids give stimulating effects to your body.
Tea With High Caffeine Content
Black teas contain the highest levels of caffeine. An 8 oz. cup of black tea provides approximately 42 mg to 72 mg of caffeine, according to Oregon State University. White, green and oolong teas come in second, peaking at approximately 50 mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup.
Benefits
If you replace your morning coffee with green tea you will still get a slight increase in energy from caffeine. However, green tea also supplies a calming agent called L-theanine that may prevent the jittery feeling associated with coffee. Benefits of caffeine include mental alertness and quickened metabolism; caffeine acts as a diuretic and stimulates your central nervous system. Caffeine from tea helps neutralize free radicals and may decrease some of the damage they can cause such as signs of aging. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that studies suggest black and green teas help protect against cancer.
Warning
Make sure to drink plenty of water when consuming teas with high caffeine content to prevent dehydration. Too much caffeine in your body can cause restlessness, anxiety and irritability. It can also keep you from getting to sleep and lead to headaches and increased heart rate.
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