My morning routine is sacred to me. Get up, shower, do my skincare, brush my teeth, take my supplements, put on my make-up, get dressed and run to the office. But the routine doesn’t stop there, on the contrary—my favourite part is at my desk: the first hot drink. And yes, I say hot drink because I’ve switched to this category a month ago. I used to go straight to the coffee machine and drink my coffee either with soy milk or black, as long as it was nice and hot. But now the kettle is my new destination, because I’ve been drinking green tea instead of coffee for a month now.
7 reasons why green tea is healthier than coffee
I was never a typical “coffee junkie”, but two to three cups of coffee were already part of my day. The first in the morning, the second after lunch and another one in the afternoon if needed. Not an exceptionally high consumption, but I still found that it made me alert, but also restless and a little shaky. I had read many times both on social media and online that green tea was a healthier alternative to coffee, and my research actually revealed a whole list of benefits that encouraged me to start my experiment.
L-theanine for relaxation and concentration
Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that has a calming effect and can increase concentration at the same time. In combination with caffeine, L-theanine promotes a relaxed but alert mindideal for focused work.
Mild caffeine content
A cup of green tea generally contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee. Depending on the variety, green tea contains 20 to 50 mg of caffeine, whereas coffee contains 80 to 120 mg per cup. In addition, the caffeine in green tea is released much more slowly than in coffee, as it is bound to L-theanine. It therefore takes a little longer for the stimulating effect to kick in, but it also lasts longer. The result is a gentle, lasting energy boost–without the typical “crash” of coffee.
Less acid–easier on the stomach
As coffee is more acidic, it can cause stomach irritation or heartburn. Green tea is generally gentler on the stomach and less likely to cause digestive problems.
More antioxidants—good for your health
Unlike black tea, green tea is not fermented and therefore contains natural antioxidants, especially catechins, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, support cell health and strengthen the immune system. Green tea also surpasses the antioxidant content of coffee, which is usually roasted.
Good for the heart
Some studies show that green tea has a positive effect on the heart. Evidence suggests that regular consumption could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, as the antioxidants reduce inflammation, which in turn can lead to many chronic diseases and some cancers.
Stimulates the metabolism
Green tea stimulates the metabolism and can increase energy expenditure. Studies suggest that the combination of caffeine and catechins in green tea may have a reducing effect on fat digestion and absorption in the stomach and intestines.
Less trembling or nervousness
Some people react to coffee with nervousness, trembling or a racing heart. As the caffeine in green tea is released more slowly, these side effects are less common.
Self-test: I drank green tea instead of coffee for a month
What helped me to start my experiment was that I generally like green tea–not everyone does. Especially in the first few days, I still missed the more intense taste of coffee, which always made me think “you’re about to wake up”. But after a week, I got used to my new hot drink and drank my three cups a day.
The first thing I noticed was that my energy levels somehow felt more “balanced”. Although I don’t get a sudden boost in the morning–hello, good morning–the afternoon slump is also much less pronounced. I also have no problems falling asleep in the evening (I usually have my last cup of tea around 4 pm). When I had coffee late at night, I sometimes found it difficult.
What I also noticed is that I tolerate green tea better. As I like to have a drink before I eat, my morning coffee has given me heartburn a few times–with green tea this doesn’t happen. The list of positive effects goes on, I am less shaky and can concentrate better throughout the day. In fact, I also have the feeling that my ravenous appetite, which used to appear in the afternoon at the latest, has decreased and I’m not constantly thinking about the next snack.
My conclusion after a month of green tea
After a month, I can say that I am a fan of green tea. Taken together, all these factors just somehow make me feel more balanced, relaxed and yet alert. I can no longer imagine my routine without green tea. During the week, I simply stick to green tea in a bag, but when I have a little more time, I like to have a matcha latte with soy milk. Even though I gave up coffee completely in the first month, I will still have coffee from time to time in the future if I feel like it. After all, the important thing is to have fun–and for me, a cup of coffee is somehow still part of Sunday cake.
This story first appeared on Vogue.de