Tea triumphs over coffee: New study shows a surprising way to lower stroke risk

T’is the victory season for tea-lovers as it is quite a solemn one for the coffee-addicts!
A new study provides insight into how to make healthy beverage choices with tea, appearing to lead the pack ahead of coffee — at least when it comes to the risk of stroke.
As per one analysis, frequent consumption of caffeinated beverage increased the risk of stroke. It showed, drinking more than four cups of coffee a day also increased the risk of stroke, while tea lowered the risk.
Stroke is the leading cause of death in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries blood to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. As a result, part of the brain can’t get the blood and oxygen it needs, which leads to brain cells dying.

In the United States, stroke is a leading cause of death for Americans. Each year, more than 795,000 Americans have a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and overconsumption of caffeinated drinks or simply too much coffee might be a contributing factor.

How much coffee is too much coffee?

Drinking too much coffee can cause a variety of side effects, including:

Short-term effects: Increased heart rate, breathing, and mental alertness, as well as increased physical energy. These effects can last up to 12 hours.

Long-term effects: Anxiety, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms like headaches, nervousness, and fatigue. Withdrawal can start as soon as 12 hours after your last cup of coffee and can last up to one to two days.
Other side effects: Insomnia, frequent urination, dehydration, dizziness, headaches, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excitability, trembling hands, and upset stomach.
Serious side effects: Rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition where damaged muscle fibers enter the bloodstream, leading to kidney failure and other problems.
Overdose: In extremely rare cases, it’s possible to overdose on caffeine, which can cause confusion, hallucinations, and vomiting.
Withdrawal: Withdrawal can occur as soon as 12 hours after your last cup of coffee and can last up to one to two days. Symptoms include headache, nervousness, and fatigue.
Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others, and how you react may be determined by how much caffeine you’re used to drinking. For most people, it’s not harmful to consume up to 400mg of caffeine a day.

Tea-totalling for the win!

On the other hand, tea can be a more beneficial alternative drink. Drinking tea can have many health benefits, including:

Reduced risk of death: Drinking at least two cups of black tea per day can lower the risk of death from any cause by 9–13%.
Improved blood sugar: Black tea can improve blood sugar levels, especially after meals.
Reduced risk of cancer: The

polyphenols in tea

may help fight certain types of cancer, including oral, squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer, and possibly breast, gynecological, lung, and thyroid cancers.
Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke: Drinking tea may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Improved brain function: Black tea can improve executive function and memory tasks.
Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes: Observational research suggests that drinking 2–3 cups of tea daily may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Improved bone health: Tea may help protect your bones.
Improved skin health: Green tea can be anti-inflammatory, which may help keep your skin clear and glowing.
Improved mood and memory: Milk tea can have antidepressant effects due to the presence of nutrients, such as tryptophan.

Take your pick:

There are many reasons to consider switching from coffee to tea, such as:

Caffeine content: Tea has less caffeine than coffee, which can be beneficial if you want to reduce your caffeine intake or experience fewer jitters and crashes.
Antioxidants: Teas, especially green and black teas, are rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, which can help protect against diseases like heart disease and certain types of cancer.
L-theanine: Tea contains L-theanine, a chemical that can help you stay mentally alert for longer when combined with caffeine.
Dental health: Green tea can reduce oral bacteria, which can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It can also kill microbes that cause bad breath.
Mood: Coffee can be problematic for people with anxiety because it reduces serotonin levels, which can lead to depression or anxious thoughts. Tea is a good alternative for people with anxiety.
Cholesterol: Unfiltered coffee drinks like French pressed coffee or espresso can increase LDL, or “bad”, cholesterol. Switching to tea can help lower cholesterol.