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.