Most of us start the day with a cup of tea or coffee. If we don’t do this, the day may drag along with us. Most people drink green tea or coffee because of their unique taste and health benefits. Some people say that green tea is a better alternative to coffee than coffee because it has less caffeine and is healthier. Is that right? So, how much caffeine is in coffee and how much is in green tea?
Green tea has about one-third as much caffeine as coffee. Coffee has 96 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces (240 mL), while green tea has only 29 mg per 8 ounces (240 mL). There’s no question that coffee has a lot more caffeine than green tea.
Let’s find out which one is better for you and what else is in both coffee and green tea.
Compared to coffee, how much caffeine is in green tea?
Healthline says that the amount of caffeine in green tea ranges from 25 to 50 milligrammes (mg), depending on how the tea was brewed or processed. The way that tea is made can also change how strong it is. Most of the time, loose leaf tea has less caffeine than bagged tea, but matcha powder often has more.
A standard eight-ounce cup of brewed coffee, on the other hand, has about 96 milligrammes of caffeine (about one cup). A single shot of espresso, which is about an ounce, has about 64 milligrammes of caffeine, while eight ounces of brewed instant coffee have about 62 milligrammes.
Does green tea have less caffeine than coffee?
Yes, there is less caffeine in green tea than in coffee. Coffee has about three to four times as much caffeine as green tea. A serving of 8 ounces (240 mL) of coffee has 96 mg of caffeine, while the same amount of green tea has only 29 mg.
Is green tea’s caffeine better than coffee’s?
Even though neither is better than the other, some people may feel different after drinking green tea or coffee with caffeine. In a study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that the amino acid L-theanine, which is found in tea, makes the brain feel more relaxed and alert.
While a 2018 study from Cambridge University looks into the link between caffeine and more anxiety, it suggests that caffeine can “play a role in making anxiety and sleep problems worse.”
So, if you like coffee but sometimes feel anxious after drinking it, switching to green tea may help you feel more mentally alert while giving you less caffeine.
What’s good for your health about both coffee and green tea?
Both coffee and green tea are good for you in many ways. Harvard Health Publishing says that drinking coffee in small amounts may protect against type 2 diabetes, liver cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. A study that came out in 2015 in the journal Circulation suggests that it may also lower the risk of dying from heart or brain disease.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), on the other hand, is the main disease-preventing ingredient in green tea. It has been studied for its possible benefits in preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Green tea drinkers are also less likely to get diabetes, a stroke, or depression. They also have lower levels of glucose, abdominal fat, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Is it bad to drink too much of either of them?
Green tea and coffee are both safe and good for you if you don’t drink too much of them. When something is done too much, it can hurt you. A study found that 400 mg of caffeine a day is a safe amount for adults. But the recommended daily limit for teens is 100 mg and for children it is 2.5 mg/kg.
And in the case of green tea, too many tannins can stop iron from being absorbed, which can lead to not getting enough iron. So drink these two things that contain caffeine in moderation.
Should you give up coffee and switch to green tea?
If you are sensitive to caffeine or get jitters or anxiety after drinking coffee, green tea or herbal tea without caffeine is a great alternative. Keep in mind that green tea does have some caffeine, but it has a lot less than coffee.
But if you want a caffeinated drink to help you concentrate or improve your athletic performance before a workout, coffee might be a better choice.
Bottom Line
Both coffee and green tea have caffeine and antioxidants, which are good for your body. As a bonus, these drinks might help protect against health problems. But keep in mind that you should limit your intake to stay healthy.