Tea or coffee? While both are popular drinks, each has unique properties that make them ideal for different situations and people. Plus, tea has some unique benefits that coffee simply can’t match — at least not naturally — such as containing l-theanine.
While both beverages can help you start the day strong, tea has special properties that make it ideal for supporting your health in multiple ways that coffee can’t boast. Let’s dive into these reasons in this article.
L-theanine
L-theanine is a unique amino acid naturally present in tea leaves, most often loose-leaf options. Coffee doesn’t naturally contain l-theanine, making this an extraordinary and exclusive benefit of tea.
So, what’s so amazing about l-theanine? Here’s just a couple of its researched benefits:
- Relaxing but not sleep-inducing: L-theanine has the unique benefit of calming the mind without inducing drowsiness, which is why green tea can be a soothing option even though it contains some caffeine. Studies have shown that l-theanine crosses the blood-brain barrier within 30 minutes and was more effective in relaxing participants who scored higher on the anxiety scale. In other words, those struggling with high levels of stress and anxiety may feel l-theanine’s relaxing effects more deeply.
- Improved sleep quality: According to the Cleveland Clinic, l-theanine may help you improve your sleep quality if you experience disruptive sleep or struggle with falling asleep. However, for this benefit, don’t pair it with a caffeinated tea like black tea right before bed.
- Boosting mental sharpness and clarity: In addition to improving stress-related symptoms, l-theanine was found to improve cognitive function, such as executive function and verbal fluency, within four weeks of continual use. This study also noted that l-theanine was well tolerated and safe overall. If you want the benefit of coffee without the jitters, this is one way that green, white, oolong or black tea may help.
- Improved mental health: A study following 60 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder discovered that l-theanine reduced anxiety and improved overall symptoms. Another study on participants with pre-existing mental illnesses found that the l-theanine group experienced significant improvements in their anxiety and stress levels, which is a fantastic find!
Herbal Benefits
Tea comes in many varieties, extending beyond the type of tea alone (e.g., green, black, white, etc.). You can formulate tea with specific health benefits in mind, which is something we specialize in!
Here are just a couple of our most unique health-boosting tea formulas, which are curated with specific herbs to optimize your health:
- After Dinner Tea: This tea promotes healthy digestion and the absorption of nutrients. It can also soothe the stomach. Herbs like papaya leaf, lemon balm, ginger root, and cardamom promote these effects.
- Anti-Smoking Tea: This tea encourages the process of withdrawal from smoking habits by using herbs that support detox and promote the restoration of nerve tissues and cells.
- Calcium Support: Need more calcium? This tea contains easily absorbed calcium and magnesium sources, such as rosehips, lemon balm, lemongrass, shavegrass, and nettles.
- Aunt Flow Tea: We’ve curated this tea to support menstrual health. It contains yummy ingredients like chocolate honeybush and potent herbs like turmeric, red raspberry leaf, valerian, and ginger.
These are just a few examples of teas that contain unique herbal ingredients to support specific needs and health goals!
For more ideas, check out our popular articles on herbs and teas for sleep and herbs for burnout.
Caffeine Differences and Benefits
In most cases, tea has less caffeine than coffee. While some types of tea, such as black tea and Yerba mate tea, have significant amounts, many others, such as white or green tea varieties, contain a low amount. Many herbal teas contain no caffeine, making them a fantastic choice for anyone who is caffeine-sensitive or wants a caffeine-free drink later in the day.
Now, caffeine has its place. After all, many of us enjoy coffee or caffeinated tea to start our day or help us through a sluggish afternoon slump. However, consuming too much caffeine (a different amount for everyone) can leave you feeling uncomfortably restless, anxious, or jittery. Some people also struggle with insomnia if they drink caffeine later in the day.
As a result, tea is a fantastic alternative to coffee. You can start your day with a stronger, robust caffeinated beverage like black tea if you so wish, then move to less caffeinated or caffeine-free options as the day progresses. In some cases, tea can give you a slower, more steady energy boost that doesn’t leave you crashing, which some people experience when drinking coffee.
Interesting in identifying which teas have the most caffeine? Learn more about which tea has the least and most amounts of caffeine in our previous article.
Antioxidant and Immune System Benefits
Teas, especially green tea, are rich in antioxidants. Many studies have found that l-theanine and antioxidants may improve the function of the body’s immune system.
While coffees have antioxidant properties, many individuals don’t enjoy the taste of coffee or prefer teas as they come in many more flavors and offer unique health benefits.
Here are just a few findings on tea’s antioxidant properties and what research has discovered:
One study reported that green tea antioxidants may be effective in preventing the flu — which we’d all love to skip out on. Notably, this study looked at healthcare workers, who are likely exposed to influenza and other diseases more than the average individual, making this an encouraging finding.
A unique study in China followed women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Researchers reported that the women who drank at least one cup of green tea a day lived longer than those who didn’t, a staggering finding indicating that the tea may enhance the immune system and survival rates.
Certain components of green tea have been shown to affect several pathological and physiological processes, like bone regeneration and the nervous system. A 2017 study identified that green tea components possess anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrosis effects. While more studies are needed on these effects, this is a fascinating read.
I hope this article inspires you to incorporate tea into your life or swap out a cup of coffee with a health-boosting tea choice. Tea goes beyond a simple caffeine source with its many herbal benefits, l-theanine contents, and antioxidant-rich nature!
Cheers!
Herbalist Natalie
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Natalie Hajdu-Voakes is a consulting Herbalist with over 27 years of hands-on experience and the owner of The Herb Stop. |