Tea the Ultimate Alternative to Coffee

Coffee is one of America’s favorite energythe production of the oxidating criminals known as
boosters. With 70-100mg of caffeine per cup, it“free radicals.” Tea also contains
can give you the liquid lift you¹re looking forpolyphenols, which numerous studies have shown
when you’re trying to pull an all-night studyto be of value in treating cancer, countering blood
session or you just need to wake up and startdisease and lowering high cholesterol levels.
your day. Though coffee can be very tasty –As we have seen, however, avoiding or limiting
and comes in several hundred flavors and stylesthe intake of caffeine, although a positive step for
including various mochas, cappuccinos andmany, is not the only reason for choosing green
espressos – it¹s not as healthy for you astea (or any other kind) as a replacement for
tea. Tea, in general, is a good thing, but right nowcoffee. Particularly for those of you who are
we’ll talk about green tea in particular, andattempting to balance all the areas of your life
why it is a healthy alternative to coffee. We can– mental, physical, emotional, spiritual – and
start with that one word: caffeine.be consistent in your new healthy habits,
Pharmacologically, caffeine is a stimulant, and itsintegrating green tea into your diet can have a
properties are what makes coffee both a blessingnumber of positive effects, remedial and ongong.
and, for some, a bit of a curse. For the uninitiated,News from the laboratory
taking that first sip of espresso can feel almostGreen tea just happens to be the tea that,
like a rush of adrenaline, and can elevate botharguably, is most laden with health-promoting
energy levels and mood. However, caffeine has aattributes. Among the antioxidants it contains is a
dark side, too. It¹s called “crashing.” Aspowerful polyphenol called catechin. Catechin has
the effects of the stimulant wear off, it canbeen shown to possess antibiotic properties due
cause a person to feel tired, anxious, dizzy and/orto its role in disrupting a specific step in bacterial
nervous. Caffeine can even cause the heart toDNA replication. The National Cancer Institute
behave erratically in some individuals. Some peoplereports that, “In the laboratory, studies have
may still be in denial concerning this matter, butshown tea catechins act as powerful inhibitors of
the plain, unambiguous fact is that caffeine is acancer.” So, although coffee can be quite
strong, mildly addictive drug.tasty and gives you a rush of energy, it¹s not
Green tea, on the other hand, is much healthier.as healthy as the alternative, tea. Tea can be
Because it contains a little less than half thetasty, still give you a pleasant lift if you want one
caffeine of coffee, it can still give you a mild jolt ifand benefit your body, too.
you’re looking for one. However, the caffeineThe most important thing, if you are doing
is just one of four key constituents in green tearesearch in a quest for a treatment or cure for
(the others: tannin, essential oils and vitamins) andyourself or a loved one, is to “stick with the
therefore works differently in your system thanscience.” Anecdotal evidence, stories from
does the caffeine in coffee. The good news ispatients and even physicians, has a definite role,
that the caffeine in tea worksparticularly in pointing out new directions for
“synergistically” with the otherresearch, as well as for the refinement of current
components to stimulate the circulation andapplications. The results of clinical trials, of course,
metabolism. As more oxygen is circulated throughare essential to the standing of any claims made
the brain, muscle functions improve, mentalfor any pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or
activity increases and reaction time decreases.cosmeceutical. The standard the Food and Drug
An effective elixir, naturallyAdministration (FDA) uses is “safe and
The tannin in green tea works with the caffeineeffective.”
to bring about a relaxing and stabilizing effect. ThisBe careful that you do not start diagnosing and
is because the caffeine is absorbed more slowly,prescribing for yourself, without any objective
thus doing away with the dread "caffeine shock"input from one or more real, professional health
coffee drinkers know so well. In addition, thepractitioners – doctors, medical chemists,
L-theanine in green tea – an amino acid, foundpharmacists or specialists in other, recognized
only in tea plants and some mushrooms – hasemerging fields. It is important to have a
been shown to stimulate production of alpha braincomplete health and wellness plan, and not simply
waves. The alpha state that the L-theaninereact to changing physical symptoms and
promotes is likened to one of “relaxedconditions.
awareness,” in that it has a decided calmingTake a proactive approach, whether it is green
effect on the body without causing drowsiness ortea or some other supplement or combination of
diminished mental functions.them, by doing your homework and getting good
Of course, among the most beneficial parts ofadvice. Be careful to balance taking charge of
drinking tea, as apposed to coffee, is the level ofyour “physical destiny” with the humility
antioxidants that it contains, higher even thaninherent in negotiating with both fate and nature.
some fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants act asThe fact is, you can change your destiny, with
“cell bodyguards,” protecting you againstnature’s help. Green tea, among many other
harmful sun, pollution and even stress, by reducinggood things, can help you in a lot of ways.