Coffee and Chai tea have long been engaged in a fierce battle of how to start the morning. They both have benefits, but is there really a superior beverage?
Coffee provides a quick energy boost in the morning, but a cup of tea relaxes you after a hectic day. Below is everything you need to know about coffee and chai tea, including the health benefits of each to help you decide which one is better for you and why.
All About Coffee
Table of Contents
What is Coffee
Coffee is a brewed drink made from roasted coffee beans. Coffee can be prepared in several ways, such as espresso, caffe latte, French press, iced coffee, and so on. Coffees are healthier when consumed directly from a coffee machine, without milk, because you will get a richer caffeine content. However, decaf coffee is now available for people who want to limit their caffeine intake for health reasons.
More than 80% of the adult population in the United States drinks coffee, and there are obvious reasons why coffee is overly loved by many. Coffee is a versatile drink that you can drink whenever that can complement any meal or snack. Another remarkable thing is its taste is unmatched and distinct. Its aromatic smell is undeniably wonderful that it is enough to awaken your senses.
Health benefits of Coffee
Caffeine Boost
Coffee has higher caffeine content than tea. For every one cup of brewed coffee, 100 milligrams of caffeine is present while for tea, the quantity is between 50-70 mg. Caffeine is a stimulant that will get you awake and alert. It reduces fatigue, increases alertness and clear thinking.
Coffee and tea both provide energy, but since coffee has greater caffeine than tea, it will naturally provide greater energy. In addition, caffeine in coffee kicks in more quickly because it absorbs rapidly in the stream, while tea works rather slow.
Coffee Can Prevent Many Diseases
The caffeine in coffee is possibly effective for:
- Managing diabetes: people with diabetes wh oregularly drinks coffee has slightly lower risk of dying
- Lowers risk for heart disease: Regular coffee drinkers have slightly lower risk of ding from any heart disease
- Decreased risk for Parkinson disease: regular consumption of coffee decreases risk of Parkinson disease
Coffee is Ideal for Weight Loss
If you want to burn calories while working out, then you should have a shot of espresso or black coffee to jump-start your metabolism and burn higher calories. Black tea, which is the usual base of Chai, is your beverage of choice if you’re merely attempting to lose weight by dieting.
All About Chai Tea
What is Chai Tea
Chai Tea is a black tea originated in India made with various spices, including cardamom, ginger, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon. Chai tea includes several ingredients, unlike coffee which is relatively simple in composition. The standard North American Chai tea is prepared with tea, spices, milk, and sweetener, combining a warm, aromatic, and sweet cinnamon-y flavor perfect for winter weather.
Dirty Chai
Black tea in Chai contains a significant amount of caffeine enough to give a kick of energy in the morning. But days that you need a hefty punch of caffeine, dirty chai will do the trick. Dirty chai is prepared with a shot of espresso and milk. The latte can either be served hot or cold, sweetened or unsweetened. Cold dirty chai is either comes in an iced latte or a blended latte. The blend of tea and coffee delivers an irresistible smokey finish.
Health Benefits of Chai Tea
Chai Tea has Antioxidants
Coffee and tea both have antioxidants, but tea wins with greater amount . Chai tea, like other teas, is well-known as a potent source of antioxidants. Black tea, the usual base for chai tea, is full of antioxidants that fight oxidative stress, preventing free radicals from damaging cells. The spices added to the chai tea, especially ginger, clove, and cinnamon, adds even more antioxidants to combat oxidative stress. A spectrum of chronic illnesses, including cancer, heart, and neurological diseases are connected to oxidative stress. Hence, chai tea can is supportive of overall health with its excellent antioxidant properties.
Chai Tea has Anti-inflammatory Properties
As chai tea combats oxidative stress, it also slows down inflammation. The spices also present in the mix target inflammation. Ginger, cloves, and cinnamon have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Chai Tea Promotes Heart Health and Blood Glucose
The antioxidants in Chai tea can protect against heart disease and the critical risk factors for heart disease: it lowers high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. Black tea also helps decrease blood sugar after a meal. Certain studies show that cinnamon in Chai helps to reduce sugar cravings. Cinnamon also helps keep blood sugar levels balanced, making it easier to lose and maintain a healthy weight. It metabolizes carbohydrates and glucose.
Chai Tea Provides a Mental Boost
The black tea in Chai improves concentration and mood. The drink has a considerable amount of caffeine and L-theanine. Caffeine is known to help relieve fatigue while helping increase attention, while L-theanine reduces stress. These two go hand-in-hand to enhance focus and cognitive performance.
The Bottomline
It is all about your taste. Coffee and chai tea both have their merits, so it is a long debate to support your superior beverage.
Both a cup of coffee and chai tea offers a healthy dose of caffeine to start your day, though not in equal amount. Coffee will definitely fire you up, but Chai tea will give a more delicate caffeinated hug.
If you want to reduce your coffee intake or want a healthier alternative to coffee, chai takes the honors. Not only is it aromatic and flavorful but it comes with health benefits while keeping your caffeine static.
But if you still haven’t decided between chai and coffee, you can go for dirty chai which is a hybrid of chai and coffee. You can even spice it up by adding milk froth using a milk frother.
There is no clear winner; it’s about personal preference. Let the kettle boil, then prepare your favorite drink and savor.