The Coffee or Tea Debate Continues

Coffee or Tea?

This question has been a longtime controversy as to which is more beneficial for one’s health. In fact, each drink has its own benefits, and it is important for people to understand that there is no right or wrong answer as to which one a person prefers. Recent scientific studies can explain why that is.

The main health-related ingredient found in coffee is caffeine. There have been studies that support that caffeine is beneficial for one’s health. For instance, a study in mice concluded that caffeine helps move a protein called p27 in the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell. The increased amount of p27 recovered the mice’s heart cells after a heart attack. Coffee has also been reported to reduce risk of Alzheimer’s, Type 2 Diabetes, and liver disease.

Tea is very healthy for one’s heart as well. The ingredients found in tea are herbal leaves and caffeine. The benefits of tea vary on what type of tea the person drinks. There are six basic categories of tea, with the most common being green tea. Green tea burns fat, lowers the risk of Type 2 Diabetes and contains antioxidants. Tea is beneficial for reducing stress because of a protein that causes a calming effect.

There are false pretenses saying how coffee can stunt a person’s growth. However, this is not true because there is no evidence of it. It is possible that caffeine can eliminate calcium absorption, but it is nothing life-threatening. As long as coffee drinkers drink a good amount of  milk, they will have healthy bones due to the intake of calcium and Vitamin D.

Since both beverages cause no significant damage to the body, the real reason why people choose tea or coffee is tied to genetics. The active gene, PDSS2, can lower levels of a caffeine enzyme, which will determine if you are pro coffee or pro tea. The more active the gene, the less coffee people will drink.

“I am more of a tea person because it tastes better,” Fleetwood Senior Grace Hess said.

“I prefer to drink iced tea over hot/iced coffee because coffee makes me feel sick afterwards,” Fleetwood Senior Madeline Reitz said.

“I consider myself more of a coffee person simply because coffee gives me an energy boost and it tastes better,” Fleetwood Senior Taylor Althouse said.

“I like tea because it’s very relaxing and calming,” Fleetwood Senior Kirsten Frymoyer said.

Many students prefer one beverage over the other, and it has to do with taste and the aftereffects. Not as many chose it based on which one is healthier but instead based on what is tastier. Each person has a different active PDSS2 gene.