Enjoyed worldwide, tea ranks second after water for the most consumed drink globally. While the quintessentially British milky breakfast tea still scores the highest for popularity, the unoxidized green version is becoming increasingly prevalent. Both versions have their merits, but which comes out on top, Green Tea vs. Black Tea, in the battle of the brews?
GREEN TEA
Cancer
Abundant in EGCG, an antioxidant that can fight cancer and bacterial cells and protect your brain and liver1.
Caffeine
Rich in L-theanine, an amino acid that’s calming and can balance the effects of caffeine3.
Brain
The bioactive compounds present can have various protective effects on the brain and may reduce the risk of dementia5.
Fat Loss
It may boost metabolic rate and increase fat burning in the short term7.
Mood
Increases the body’s tolerance to fatigue and helps in dealing with exhaustion9.
BLACK TEA
Cancer
It contains polyphenols, which may help fight cancer cells and overcome the spread of hormone-dependent breast tumors2.
Caffeine
It contains more caffeine than green tea and stimulates your nervous system by blocking the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine4.
Brain
High L-theanine acid increases alpha activity in the brain, which can help improve focus and alertness6.
Fat Loss
It contains theaflavins, which may improve blood vessel function and support fat loss8.
Mood
Aids the release of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin4.
WINNER: Green Tea
Renowned for being a superfood, the cancer-battling properties of green tea means it gets the green light. They both derive from the same plant, but the minimal processing of green tea and the beverage’s omission of milk and sweetener place this variety at the top of the podium.
[1] Int J Food Sci Nutr [2] Eur J Cancer [3] Pharmacogn Mag. [4] Hum Brain Mapp. [5] Adv Exp Med Biol [6] Randomized Controlled Trial [7] J. Agric. Food Chem. [8] Lipids Health Dis. [9] J Nutr.
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