Millions of people drink coffee to kick off their morning, get through long meetings, and generally increase their energy levels throughout the day. Studies regularly list the benefits of drinking coffee, but there are just as many—if not more—health benefits of drinking tea. While coffee has been around for several hundreds of years, tea goes back at least 5,000 years to Ancient China.
If you’ve never been a tea drinker, you might be surprised at how much it can help you, whether you need a morning pick-me-up or want to brighten your mood. To improve your energy, try a product like Total Tea’s Herbal Energy Tea, which has a unique blend of herbs and is packed full of antioxidants to give you long-lasting energy all day. Here are eight great reasons to swap your coffee for tea tomorrow morning.
1. Tea gives you energy without a caffeine crash
There are several benefits of drinking natural herbal tea in the morning, rather than coffee. While coffee is known for boosting energy levels, its effects can wear off suddenly, causing the dreaded crash. Tea, on the other hand, has a high level of antioxidants and amino acids like L-theanine that slow the body’s absorption of caffeine to prevent a crash. Tea is one of the only natural sources of L-theanine, an amino acid that helps regulate emotions, mood, concentration, alertness, and sleep. Generally speaking, coffee also has more than twice as much caffeine as tea, but you don’t need as much caffeine when your body absorbs it more slowly, and its effects last longer.
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2. The antioxidants in tea help fight inflammation
Antioxidants don’t just slow down the absorption of caffeine; they also help fight inflammation. In tea, plant chemicals called flavonoids (a type of antioxidant) reduce inflammation, which can lower the amount of plaque buildup in arteries. Green tea has been shown to have slightly higher levels of these antioxidants than black tea.
Thanks to the benefits of antioxidants, regular tea drinkers (those consuming three or more cups of green or black tea per day) have a 21% lower risk of stroke than those who don’t. Feel free to read more about Total Tea’s green tea and black tea!
3. Tea has a gentler diuretic effect than coffee
Caffeine is a diuretic, which is any substance that increases urination. Coffee has more caffeine, so it has a stronger diuretic effect than tea. Diuretics can make you dehydrated, so whether you’re drinking tea or coffee, be sure to balance it out with some water as well. Total Tea Detox Tea can help flush out toxins and clean your colon. Plus, it can suppress your appetite and help you lose weight.
4. Studies show tea drinkers have a higher bone density
Osteoporosis, or thinning bones, is a serious concern for aging adults. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study in 2007 that concluded that regular tea drinkers had a higher bone density than women who didn’t drink tea. The study provides evidence that green tea has bioactive ingredients that offer some protection against osteoporosis and bone fractures.
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5. There are many distinct and different flavors of tea
While coffee lovers may argue that coffee has different flavors, the differences can be subtle. On the other hand, you will not mistake a peppermint tea for chamomile. Tea comes in more than 3,000 varieties and tons of different natural flavors, so no matter what your taste buds might enjoy, you’ll find a tea that hits the spot.
6. Tea is great for dieters
The combination of caffeine and catechins work together to help the body burn more calories. Caffeine is a stimulant that increases fat burning while suppressing your appetite, while catechins (especially epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG) boost metabolism and reduce fat. Drinking Total Tea Energy Tea in the morning is a great way to naturally start your day with more energy and increase your metabolism.
7. Tea is more accessible than coffee
A cup of tea only requires about a tablespoon of leaves, making it super portable and easy to brew with hot water in the microwave or teapot. There’s no fancy brewing method required—simply put your tea bag (or leaves in an infuser) in hot water for a few minutes, and voila! While many companies make coffee that you can use on-the-go, it usually lacks flavor.
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8. Tea can be a natural remedy
True tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant, while herbal teas can be made from dried flowers or herbs. Both types have been used as natural remedies for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Try chamomile tea for stress and anxiety, black tea for headaches, and peppermint tea for nausea.
Many teas are considered supplements, which means the FDA doesn’t regulate them. Because of this, you’ll want to look for companies that have rigorous testing standards. Total Tea tests both the raw materials and finished products for integrity, purity, and potency. The company’s manufacturing facility is SQF Level 2 Certified, Kosher Certified, and they obtain Certificates of Analysis from suppliers. Total Tea also ensures that its organic herbal teas are certified organic at the source. Last but not least, the company’s tea bags meet food-grade standards, and each shipment includes a quality-control report. A healthy life is a happy life, so it’s important to do your due diligence on anything you put in your body.
Written by Abbie Mood for Matcha in partnership with Total Tea.