Tea and Coffee (Health benefits and beyond)

 "He (Jean-Christophe, the child) opens the piano, and brings up a chair, and perches on it. His shoulders just about reach the keyboard...His heart beats as he lays his finger on the key...Suddenly a sound issues from it; there are deep sounds and high sounds...they seem to call to you, to draw you away farther - farther and farther into mysterious regions...They are like spirits...

[But when his father commenced piano lessons] "There was an end of the magic sounds, and fascinating monsters, and the universe of dreams felt in one moment...Nothing but scales and exercises - dry, monotonous, dull..."  (Jean-Christophe, Romain Rolland)

Researching the health benefits of tea and coffee triggered a similar sentiment within me. To me tea and coffee were not merely beverages; they always came as an experience. Tea reminded me of animated discussion with my friends about Rawls' theory of justice, leisurely sitting on the university lawns. It brought back memories of waking in the middle of the night by loud announcement of the vendor 'Chai Garam, Chai Garam...' when my train halted at some small station for two minutes. The drowsiness of the station seemed to stretch those two minutes to infinity...! Tea added an extra warmth of camaraderie with my jawans, sipping hot tea together on the high-altitude treks of the Kumaon range.

Similarly, while travelling in South India, a satisfying roadside meal would always conclude with filter coffee. In Bosnia, my motherly  landlady  eagerly awaited me over a cup of strong kava (coffee) to hear about my day in the  office and share her own experiences. She didn't speak English; we conversed (often one-sided) only in Bosanski. Within three months I learned Bosanski! 

Sigh...!

Let's get down to business.

I.  Coffee

1. In 1991 International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer agency of WHO, classified coffee as possibly  carcinogenic (causing cancer). In 2016 the same agency concluded that coffee was not carcinogenic. However, the experts found limited evidence that drinking very hot beverages possibly caused esophageal cancer. (UN News, 15 June 2016)

2. One standard cup of coffee (8 oz/237 ml) contains approximately 96 mg of caffeine. (Mayo Clinic, Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more) The caffeine content in coffee may vary depending upon its processing and brewing. Caffeine is a mild stimulant which increases your alertness.

3. Caffeine in coffee taken on empty stomach is absorbed in blood faster. The fiber of food taken with coffee delays its absorption.

4. As you increase the consumption of coffee, you develop more and more tolerance to caffeine. However, drinking coffee is not an addiction; it's only a habit. Some individuals may develop 'withdrawal symptoms' like irritability or mood fluctuations for 7-10 days if they abruptly stop drinking coffee.

5. As coffee or tea are neither a food nor a food  supplement, there are no recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for them. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against consuming more than 400 mg of caffeine (approx. 4 cups of coffee) per day for a healthy adult. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises pregnant women to limit their caffeine consumption to 200 mg per day. According to American Academy of Pediatrics, children below 12 should not consume caffeine at all. 

6. Coffee is generally considered to elevate your mood, improve memory and bring a calming effect. However, when taken beyond your tolerance level, it may make you jittery, anxious, depressed and give you stomach acidity, heartburn or headache.

7. Caffeine in coffee decreases the level of melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep. Therefore, if you take coffee in the afternoon or evening, it may adversely affect your sleep.

8. Coffee  also impairs absorption of iron from your plant-based food. Therefore, it should be consumed between the meals, and not immediately after. 

9. Individuals with hypertension should consult their doctor regarding the safe limit of their daily coffee intake.

Suggestions

1. Go for decaf coffee.

2. Go slow. Enjoy your each sip with mindfulness.

II. Tea

1. Tea has less caffeine than coffee (approx. 47 mg in a standard cup, Mayo Clinic)). The quantity of caffeine depends upon the variety and brewing method of tea. Green tea has less caffeine than black tea. 

2. White tea, green tea, oolong tea and black tea are obtained from the same plant, viz., Camellia Sinensis. It is their processing, i.e., heating temperature and exposure to air that makes them different. Compared with black tea, green tea is closer to the 'original' flavor and properties of the tea plant.

3. Herbal tea is not a true tea much like soya milk isn't true milk. Herbal tea does not come from the tea plant; it is made from flowers, herbs and fruits.

4. Both green tea and black tea have almost equal health benefits. However, if compared, green tea has less caffeine and slightly stronger antioxidant properties.

5. Tea is generally an energy-boosting, pleasant beverage. However, the tannins present in tea may induce nausea if taken on empty stomach. Tannins also bind with iron and hinder absorption of iron from plant-based food. It is advisable to drink tea between  meals, not immediately after.

Tea is good; tea bags are bad

1. Most of the tea bags are made of paper, plastic or nylon. They are sealed with glue and some other chemicals. When they are dipped into hot water, they release microplastics. A study by McGill University, Canada found that a single plastic tea bag can release 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles in your cup.

2. Similarly, the chemical epichlorohydrin used for strengthening of the paper tea bag is carcinogenic. 

3. Tea bags are bad for environment. They don't decompose easily. 

4. You can't be sure about the quality and freshness of the tea kept inside a bag. They may contain molds and sometimes tiny insects also.

Finally

1. Don't consume tea or coffee if you don't enjoy it. For 'health benefits' numerous more nutritious foods exist. Life is not always about utilitarianism. You don't bring a puppy home hoping that it would lay eggs...!

2. The only thing that can stop you from drinking coffee is a bad coffee.

Medical disclaimer - The blog content is provided for general educational purpose only. It does not substitute professional medical advice. Reader is advised to consult his doctor before starting any fitness program to avoid any health risks.

Shyam Fitness Fundamentals 

Website: www. fitness-fundamentals.com

Blog: https://shyamfitnessfundamentals.blogspot.com/?m=1

E-mail: shyamfitnessfundamentals@gmail.com