Tea, coffee and cocoa are popular drinks. Tea is the second most commonly drunk beverage in the world after water. As well as being pleasant to drink and possessing psychological benefits due to the comfort they provide, particularly on a cold night, tea, coffee and cocoa also possess significant physiological health effects. All three drinks are high in antioxidants and although these antioxidants vary between the drinks, they all provide significant general antioxidant protection. In addition, tea, coffee and cocoa also possess methylxanthines including caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. Methylxanthines are able to stimulate the metabolism and this may explain the weight loss effects of the drinks as well as their cardioprotective effects. In terms of “which drink is best”, this is a difficult question to answer because this depends on so many factors. As an overall health strategy, drinking all three drinks in moderate amounts as part of a healthy diet would seem to provide significant overall health benefits to most people.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
