Coffee, Tea and Caffeine

Caffeine has many effects on the body’s metabolism, and is naturally found in certain leaves, beans, and fruits of over 60 plants worldwide.

Studies have shown that moderate consumption of caffeine, whether in coffee or tea may reduce your risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain cancers.

Facts on Tea & Coffee:

• White tea is unfermented and offers the most powerful antioxidant levels of all the teas.
• Black tea is made from fermented leaves and has the lowest levels in monomeric catechins due to the fermentation process, which have been linked to cancer prevention.
• Green tea is full of antioxidants that may help prevent different types of cancer including breast, lung and stomach.
• White tea has the highest concentration of antioxidants and may actually be more effective preventing some diseases than green tea.
• Tea contains fluoride which protects teeth.
• Tea hydrates.
• Studies have shown that tea helps prevents the development of type 1 diabetes.
• Tea protects against lung cancer.
• Coffee caffeine has been linked to improved memory recall and may also help prevent Alzheimer’s, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and can help ease asthma attacks.
• Caffeine increases the effectiveness of pain killers.
• Coffee protects the liver, against cirrhosis and cancer.
• Coffee improves short term recall as well as improves reaction times.
• Green and black teas contain anti-inflammatory antioxidants that are good for preventing and managing arthritis, memory problems, and cataracts.
• Drinking tea too hot increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
• White tea may help prevent obesity by inhibiting the growth of new fat cells.
• Caffeinated coffee has been shown to help prevent memory loss and decrease the risk of certain cancers.
• Drinking coffee over a long period of time, may reduce the risk of dying from heart disease and are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
• Over 1000 chemicals have been found in roasted coffee with 19 being known carcinogens.

Caffeine amounts per an average cup ( 8oz/237 ml):

Tea:        Black tea 90mg     White tea 75mg      Green tea 50mg

Coffee:   Brewed 135mg       Espresso 40mg

*espresso is served in much smaller volumes, so less caffeine; from a volume perspective, espresso has much more caffeine than brewed coffee. 

Caffeine intake levels:

• a low to moderate intake is 130 mg-300 mg per day
• a moderate is 200 mg-300 mg per day
• high doses are above 400 mg per day
• heavy caffeine consumption is more than 6,000 mg/day.

As with most things in life: everything in moderation including drinking coffee and tea.