Almost everyone in this world starts their day with a cup of tea or coffee. Both beverages are stocked with antioxidants that can reduce cholesterol, safeguard against depression, and even fight off diabetes. Both contain caffeine in some amount. Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It increases alertness, but at the same time it impairs your fine motor skills.
A study in the "Journal of Nutrition" found that incorporating black tea into a diet low in fat could help reduce levels of LDL, the type of cholesterol most often responsible for heart disease. In the study, drinking as many as five servings of tea each day brought down all levels of cholesterol; notably, participants who drank black tea with caffeine had lower total cholesterol levels than those in the study who drank a caffeine-free placebo.
Drinking tea goes back 5,000 years to China, where it was first cultivated. Green tea has many health benefits because it contains antioxidants called polyphenols. Green and black teas are believed to help protect against many types of cancer.
There is significantly less caffeine in the average cup of tea - especially when including green and white teas brewed at shorter times and cooler temperatures. . L-theanine, an amino acid found only in tea, reduces stress and promotes relaxation. It works with caffeine in a synergistic way to calm the body without reducing caffeine alertness. The high levels of antioxidants found in tea slow the absorption of caffeine. The greatest impact on caffeine content is the water temperature and length of steeping time. Black, Oolong, Green and White tea leaves themselves have surprisingly similar caffeine content. But a tea steeped for five minutes in boiling water is going to transfer a LOT more caffeine to the cup than a tea steeped for two minutes at 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Let's be clear: Oxidation does NOT increase the amount of caffeine in tea. Green tea has many health benefits because it contains antioxidants called polyphenols. Green and black teas are believed to help protect against many types of cancer.
If one wants to eliminates caffeine intake completely, one must switch to herbal tea. All real tea comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, which contains caffeine. Herbal infusions, such as Chamomile, Rooibos and Peppermint, are made from botanicals not related to Camellia sinensis, and they are naturally caffeine free. Many of the benefits in both black tea and coffee come from the antioxidants found in the beans and leaves. But caffeine, found in both drinks, offers its own set of perks. A study in "Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental" found that consuming a combination of caffeine and glucose after fasting overnight improved reaction time and verbal memory. In other words, dunking your donut in coffee or tea each morning could make you smarter.