The Top 4 Competitors of Coffee

1. Coffee vs. Tea

Throughout history, numerous scientific studies have tried to expose the health benefits of each of these two drinks and to deny or prove the damages they may have on people.

It seems that the world prefers tea. As Larry Schwartz comments on Alternet, “while consuming 1.6 million cups of coffee a day on planet Earth, twice as many cups of tea are consumed.”
Coffee helps prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia

Although coffee consumption is more common in countries like Spain or the US, the number of tea followers is increasing considerably and its consumption has not stopped increasing in the last 20 years. But the question remains: which one is better for us?
Although the positive effects of tea on health are more recognized and negative consequences are attributed to it, such as alterations in heart rhythm, stains on teeth, and it was even believed that its consumption could cause cancer, coffee has a multitude of healthy properties.

In fact, to refute this belief, different studies have shown that coffee can avoid the risk of developing some types of cancer such as breast, prostate, skin or liver.

Its consumption helps improve short-term memory and increases the effectiveness of analgesics in the body. In addition, it helps prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Contrary to the idea of ​​producing tachycardias or anxiety, Schwartz mentions that according to research carried out in Portugal, coffee reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

A study prepared by the Harvard School of Public Health found a relationship between coffee consumption and a reduction in the development of type 2 diabetes in 35% of the cases analyzed.
Some of the great benefits of tea

For its part, science has shown that, like coffee, tea can prevent the development of diabetes, although studies have shown greater influence on type 1, as well as some types of cancer such as lung and prevents osteoporosis

Likewise, as we mentioned with coffee, its consumption is associated with greater protection in the development of Parkinson’s disease as well as with the prevention of Alzheimer’s.

Different positive effects have been found depending on the type of tea. For example, white tea reduces the risk of obesity and contains antioxidants that may have anti-aging potential.

Although some studies warn that taking it very hot can cause esophageal cancer, in the case of green tea it has been shown to help reduce the risk of suffering from this disease (especially in the case of women, with percentages close to 60 % less in development of this type of cancer).

For its part, black, green, white and oolong teas contain substances known as flavonoids, whose consumption has been linked to fewer cases of heart disease.

In addition, drinking about four cups of tea a day, in the medium and long term, helps the body reduce the production of the stress hormone, so that more than one exciter could be a great ally to combat anxiety.
Disproving some myths about the effects of coffee

The idea that tea and coffee are dehydrating drinks is a false myth. Its consumption, calculating it in an average of four cups daily, does not negatively influence the processes in the elimination of fluids from the body.

On the other hand there are the beliefs that they are harmful to the heart or their massive consumption derives in the development of cancer. According to Schwartz, “it has been shown that up to six cups a day of coffee have no relation to heart disease or cancer.”

Although excessive coffee consumption, eight or more cups a day, is directly related to a significant increase in the risk of intrauterine fetal death, a study by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists found that a mild consumption has no effect on pregnancy, neither in relation to the occurrence of miscarriages nor to what concerns premature births.

But not everything is so good: the cons of caffeine

Some have been denied, but it is true that we must also know some of the negative effects of coffee and tea on our body:

– Both produce stains on the teeth.
-They can cause anxiety, raise blood pressure, cause a rapid heartbeat and even muscle tremors.
– Its consumption is related to situations of insomnia, headache or stomach upset.
– Unfiltered coffee (such as espresso, cappuccino or French coffee) can lead to high levels of “bad” cholesterol.
– Tea contains a large amount of tannin that reduces the absorption of iron in the body and can cause anemia.
– Too much caffeine can cause breast lumps (fibrocystic disease). Usually, a reduction in consumption will cause lumps to disappear.

It should also be taken into account that there are people who are more sensitive to caffeine than others and that women are more susceptible than men to develop some of these negative effects.
So coffee or tea?

As with almost everything in life, to nurture its healthy properties and avoid possible negative consequences, doctors agree that the key is in moderation.

It is estimated that around 300 grams of caffeine daily can have beneficial consequences, as long as we accompany it with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.

If we still have the doubt, depending on the daily consumption we make, we can make our choice considering that coffee contains between 80 and 185 milligrams of caffeine while tea only between 15 and 70 milligrams.

Coffee gives us more energy and faster, but its effect is less lasting than that produced by tea consumption.

However, a good alternative is the combination of both: there is a type of tea made with coffee leaves, which is healthier than the two drinks separately. In addition, it is less bitter than tea and not as strong as coffee.

2. Coffee vs. Soda

They say that Balzac, the most prolific French writer, drank about 50 cups of coffee a day, and that this custom would possibly advance his death at age 51. It is hard to believe such an addiction and yet we intuit that, if true, it could well have shortened his life.

The effects of a cup of coffee are surprisingly fast. A few minutes are enough for some of the caffeine to be absorbed and reach the brain. Once there, it begins to block the places where adenosine normally binds, a neurotransmitter that inhibits stimulation and tends to cause drowsiness and relaxation. Caffeine will do the opposite. By preventing the action of adenosine, it will act as a double denial that affirms. This is where many of its effects come from: EFSA (the panel of European experts in food health) has recognized that from 75 milligrams, caffeine increases attention, memory and learning capacity. And that even if you take three milligrams per kilogram of weight (more than 200 milligrams for a person of 70 kilos) an hour before exercise can increase sports performance. Of course, the same experts recommend not exceeding 300 milligrams in adults. From these amounts (or less in more susceptible people and, of course, in children) can cause states of irritation, insomnia, anxiety, heartburn, hypertension or, in the long term, increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Although it is difficult to specify, since it depends on the raw material and the way it is prepared, it is estimated that a standard cup of coffee contains about 100 milligrams of caffeine . A can of soda (330 milliliters) provides about 35 milligrams of caffeine, while a can of an energy drink (250 milliliters) contains approximately 80 milligrams. As for tea, it is often said that it contains theine as a different compound. However, decades ago it was shown that theine is neither more nor less than caffeine itself . The only difference lies in the set of substances of tea, which make its absorption slower and more sustained than that of coffee. And although there may also be variations, each cup condenses around 40/50 milligrams of caffeine (something else in the case of black tea compared to green tea). Finally, chocolate also has caffeine, but in this case its concentrations are much lower. In short, drinks with more caffeine and, therefore, more exciting, are, from highest to lowest: coffee, energy drink, tea and caffeinated soda.

The FDA (the American administration that regulates food and drug use) estimates that approximately 80% of the adult population drinks caffeine daily (mainly, through coffee), and consumes about 200 milligrams every day. With this landscape, so absolutely colonized by smoking cups, any effect it may have is of the utmost importance, since it will affect almost the entire population.

Although the data is still inconclusive (based on observation and hardly any controlled studies have been done, much more reliable to draw conclusions), the consumption of about three cups of coffee daily has been linked to some protection against cardiovascular disease. Esther Lopez Garca, an epidemiologist at the Faculty of Medicine of the Autonomous University of Madrid, and who has published numerous articles on the impact of coffee consumption on health, “it is thought that most of these beneficial effects are due to different components of caffeine, specifically some polyphenols that act as antioxidants. A good way to discriminate would be to check if these same effects also occur with decaffeinated coffee. However, its consequences are less known, because consumption is much lower.

Another issue would be hypertension. In general, although clinical guidelines are not forceful in this regard, it is recommended to moderate coffee consumption in people with high blood pressure. Although some studies have not revealed that moderate coffee consumption increases the tension in the long term, it seems that high concentrations can raise it, as well as cause a momentary increase after its intake.

Something more reserve regarding its possible benefits. Some studies have linked its consumption with a cardiovascular protective effect, but in general the evidence is weaker .

Worse, soda pops out. On the one hand, because it is not certain that caffeine is responsible for the aforementioned benefits, and these refreshing drinks do not provide the same antioxidants as coffee.

3. Coffee vs. Energy Drink

One of the frequently asked questions that customers sometimes ask is what is better, energy drinks or coffee? The intention is to know with which drink you care more about your health. And is that the frequent consumption of energy drinks has really caused a stir in sales, the mission is to stay awake or active. There are people who in talks comment that energy drinks work better than coffee, or that tastes better than bitter coffee, it has even become common to drink them when trying to remove drunkenness, or at least appear sober.

The issue in this case is to take care of health knowing that they contain and that they provide us with the drinks we drink. While it is true that energy drinks have revolutionized and replace natural, homemade drinks, and exercises to stay active. The situation is knowing for sure what effects it is causing in our body.

The sales of energy drinks in recent years have multiplied exponentially, in 2012 in the United States it had handled 34% and 54% of young people between 18 and 24 who had begun to regularly consume energy drinks. According to research conducted by Dr. José María Julián, energy drinks contain water, sugars (saccharin and glucose), glucoronolactone, caffeine and different vitamins of group B. The amount of caffeine in an energy drink is high, marking 32mg / 100ml, that is, in a container 80mg of caffeine is presented.
Some substances that also contain such drinks are guarana (guaranine, similar to caffeine), taurine (amino acid) and other sugars. When they contain these substances, they range between 80 mg and 141 mg of caffeine.

The caffeine in our digestive tract is well absorbed, after digestion, it reaches the blood between 15 and 45 minutes of effect. On the other hand, caffeine is metabolized very quickly in the liver. The effects of caffeine on the body can last up to 5 hours, the time itself will vary according to the body and metabolism of each person.

Studies have shown that long-term coffee consumption causes an increased risk of hypertension and may even reduce the risk of type II diabetes. It has also been shown that coffee suggests beneficial effects on its consumption. Avoid risk factors, such as cardiovascular diseases mediated by their antioxidant effects, reduction of the risk of coronary heart disease among moderate consumers, and an more of the benefits that can be found in this link: Benefits of coffee.

Caffeine prevents the slowing down of the reflexes before a moderate consumption of alcohol, however the practice of this is not recommended. See in this link the contraindications of this.
In the case of energy drinks it is advisable to take into account a moderate consumption due to the high caffeine content found in this drink. Also remember that these types of drinks by having chemicals are more likely to damage the body. Energy drinks or coffee? A good cup of coffee will always be a better option than an energizer, keep in mind that the healthiest among drinks is that which is organic. So do not hesitate to have an organic coffee.

4. Coffee vs. Matcha

I have always liked coffee and still, but the truth is not even close to the properties and taste of Matcha.

Matcha was used by Buddhist monks in China to stay awake when they had very long meditations. They took matcha as a ceremony with little drinks little by little. They used it since the energy that Matcha gives is not immediate like coffee, rather it is prolonged.

Coffee and energy drinks give you ups and downs and can reach the crash of caffeine. These drinks have an acidic effect that impacts the adrenal glands and can cause high increases in glucose and insulin levels, causing tremorin, nervousness, insomnia and intense hunger. In contrast, Matcha works best with your nervous system since 1 cup contains 1/4 of caffeine compared to 1 cup of coffee. There are no ups and downs, since Matcha green tea is digested slowly by its Phytonutrients (especially L-theanine) that encourages the absorption of caffeine in your body, that makes the effect last at least 3 hours and gradually Go administering to your body.