If you are looking for the highest source of antioxidants in a beverage or food, some think that the best source of antioxidants is coffee. Others think tea is a healthier source of antioxidants.
Coffee Has More Antioxidants Per Cup
While both coffee and tea are high in antioxidants that help neutralize harmful free radicals in our bodies, there are more antioxidants in a cup of coffee than in a cup of tea. Instant coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which is known to be the main antioxidant in coffee. And with more than half of Americans drinking coffee every day, Americans are getting more of their antioxidants from coffee than from any other dietary source. However, too much coffee can make you jittery and potentially cause high blood pressure and increased heart rates. Drinking more than two cups of coffee per day is not recommended.
Get More Antioxidants From More Cups of Tea Per Day
Black tea, oolong tea, and green tea may not be as high in antioxidants as coffee is, but because they can be sipped all day long, they are actually better sources of antioxidants. Tea is rich in polyphenols, which are antioxidants. Tea possibly contains 10 times the amount of polyphenols that are found in fruits and vegetables.
The biggest benefit of tea is that it is healthy for most people to drink six to eight cups of tea per day. When you compare the amount of antioxidants in eight cups of tea to the amount of antioxidants in two cups of coffee, tea wins.
Green teas and black teas contain the same amount of polyphenals, which are the antioxidants found in tea.
Some believe that herbal teas also contain antioxidants. More research is needed to prove the health benefits of herbal teas.
Antioxidants from Tea May Also Prevent Skin Cancer
While antioxidants from both coffee and tea are proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and other age-related diseases, studies have also found that the antioxidants from drinking tea can help prevent skin cancer. It has also been proven that tea extracts applied to the skin in the form of lotion can block sun damage that leads to skin cancer.
