How are green tea benefits different from coffee?

In modern life, green tea and coffee are two popular choices to start the day or stay awake.

While both contain caffeine, green tea offers more than just a refreshing boost; it also has a number of notable health benefits. In many ways, these benefits make green tea a superior choice to coffee.

Let's explore 4 outstanding benefits of green tea compared to coffee to understand why more and more people favor this drink.

Green tea and coffee are two popular choices to start the day.

Photo: AI

Gentle choice for sobriety

Master - Doctor Mai Dai Duc Anh, Nutrition specialist, FPT Long Chau Pharmacy System, said that green tea contains caffeine but at a lower content than coffee, an average of about 30 to 60 mg per cup, while a regular cup of coffee contains from 95 to 200 mg.

In particular, green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that helps bring about a feeling of relaxation without causing drowsiness, thereby creating a gentler and more stable state of alertness. Thanks to that, green tea brings a gentle feeling of alertness, while helping to limit side effects such as anxiety or nervousness that are often encountered when consuming caffeine from coffee.

Green tea aids weight control

One of the notable benefits of green tea is its ability to support natural and effective weight control. This drink helps promote the process of burning calories, while improving the body's ability to metabolize fat. Maintaining a regular habit of drinking green tea, combined with a reasonable diet and healthy lifestyle, can contribute to maintaining a good figure and supporting natural weight loss.

This effect comes from the powerful antioxidant compounds in green tea, especially catechins, of which EGCG is the most prominent. These active ingredients help boost metabolism, support fat oxidation and minimize excess fat accumulation. However, green tea should not be abused for weight loss to avoid unwanted side effects.

Benefits for heart health

Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee and is rich in antioxidants such as catechins, especially EGCG. These compounds help reduce inflammation, improve blood vessel function and prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, thereby effectively supporting cardiovascular health.

On the contrary, the caffeine in coffee can temporarily increase heart rate and blood pressure, especially in people with cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. Although moderate coffee consumption is still considered safe, green tea is often recommended for middle-aged people and those with high cardiovascular risk. In addition, green tea also helps stabilize blood pressure and improve blood circulation effectively.

Green tea is rich in polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is known for its powerful antioxidant properties.

Photo: AI

Anti-aging and cell protection

Green tea is rich in polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is known for its powerful antioxidant properties. Many studies have shown that polyphenols in green tea help protect the skin from UV damage, improve elasticity and reduce wrinkles, giving you healthy, youthful skin.

Dr. Duc Anh said that although green tea has many benefits, excessive consumption can cause some side effects such as:

Sleep disorders : Caffeine in green tea can cause insomnia if consumed in the evening.

Reduced iron absorption : Tannins in green tea may interfere with iron absorption, especially when consumed during or immediately after meals.

Nausea or stomach upset : Drinking green tea on an empty stomach may cause nausea or stomach irritation.

Drug interactions : Green tea may affect the effectiveness of certain medications, such as anticoagulants or blood pressure medications.

Therefore, to optimize the positive benefits of green tea, you should not drink too much to avoid unwanted side effects. The appropriate frequency of drinking green tea is about 2-3 times a day, in the morning or early afternoon to help the body absorb well while still maintaining a comfortable feeling. However, pregnant women, people with liver disease or those taking medication should consult a doctor before drinking green tea regularly.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/loi-ich-tra-xanh-khac-ca-phe-the-nao-185250606120226646.htm