Here at Harney & Sons, it has occurred to us that we may be slightly biased when it comes to the fact that we believe tea is the most awesome beverage the world has ever produced.
Our natural proclivi-tea aside, there are some good reasons to consider giving up your coffee and/or soda habits and replacing them with tea. Without trying to be the New England Journal of Medicine, here are a few of the health issues at stake.
Coffee
While caffeine in moderation is fine for most individuals, the effects of excessive amounts of caffeine are well documented: poor sleep, anxiety/jitters and mood swings, not to mention health issues like increased blood pressure and blood sugar issues.
Tea is lower in caffeine than coffee. In general, a cup of tea has about 40-60mg of caffeine per cup, while the average cup of coffee has around 105mg. And while you can choose to drink decaffeinated coffee, if you are looking to eliminate caffeine completely from your life, that won’t do the trick. Like decaffeinated tea, decaf coffee also has small amounts of caffeine. To go truly cold turkey on the caffeine, herbal teas are your go-to because they have no caffeine. Or water. Water is always a good choice.
Soda
When it comes to soda, sugar is the big culprit. Research has shown that regular soda consumption can wreak long-term havoc on your body. From your heart to your brain, your teeth and your bones, your kidneys and your weight, habitual ingestion of sugary sodas are inflicting damage. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that people who drank a lot of soda had shorter telomeres in immune cells, meaning their risk of dying sooner was higher.
So, switching to diet soda will take care of the sugar issue, right? Not so fast…artificial sweeteners come with their own set of issues, such as triggering insulin which in turn sends your body into fat storage mode that can lead to weight gain (yep, weight gain from a diet soda). Diet soda has also been associated with a 36% increased risk of metabolic syndrome which can put people at high risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. There are other issues that have been linked to diet soda as well.
Tea
Unlike soda, tea can have a positive effect on your health.
First, as we mentioned earlier, there is significantly less caffeine in a standard cup of black tea than in coffee. White teas and matcha do have more caffeine than black tea, but still not as much as coffee. Other things that affect the caffeine level of tea are the number and type of tea leaves as well as how it is brewed. If you’re looking to lower or eliminate your caffeine, decaffeinated teas contain significantly less caffeine. Flavored teas also have less caffeine because some of the tea is replaced with fruits and other flavors. And herbal teas, which really aren’t tea at all, are naturally caffeine-free.
Tea also has its own unique amino acid, L-theanine, that stimulates the production of dopamine and serotonin creating a much calmer stimulation than the caffeine found in coffee. Also, the high levels of antioxidants found in tea slow the absorption of caffeine; this means you don’t get the immediate buzz and then the crash that follows. It’s more like a time-release of caffeine. Antioxidants are beneficial in general, so the more you get of them the better.
Studies have shown that tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke and is good for your immune system. Some herbal teas like chamomile and mint are good for the digestive system, and ginger tea can calm nausea. Finally, tea without any milk or sugar is completely free of calories. The only other beverage that can make the same natural claim is water. Did we mention we’re also fans of water?
Ready to make the switch to tea? You’ve come to the right place! Harney & Sons have a tea-mendous number of delicious choices. Shop our collection today and before you know it, you’ll have dropped coffee and soda like they dated your sister
Learn more about tea with these quick reads:
8 comments
Jessica
I don’t drink coffee, but I love the smell of it. I did drink soda, but recently I learned I have high blood pressure and Hepatitis C. So I decided it was to stop since some of the people in my life have stopped drinking soda. I decided to drink tea and I am so glad I did.
I don’t drink coffee, but I love the smell of it. I did drink soda, but recently I learned I have high blood pressure and Hepatitis C. So I decided it was to stop since some of the people in my life have stopped drinking soda. I decided to drink tea and I am so glad I did.
Kathy
I never drank coffee, but I do enjoy the smell. I used to drink a cup of tea in the morning then would switch to soda. For health reasons I have completely cut out drinking pop for several years now. My beverage of choice is tea. I always enjoy starting my day with a hot cup of tea no matter what the weather; even if it is 90 degrees out. I have been drinking H&S Teas for several years now. I enjoy a variety of flavors and during the summer I enjoy making Sun Tea; something my mother always did. Whether I am working at home, around the house or just taking time to relax I always have a cup of tea on hand. And, I will use the same teabag throuhgout the day; something my father did when he drank tea.
I never drank coffee, but I do enjoy the smell. I used to drink a cup of tea in the morning then would switch to soda. For health reasons I have completely cut out drinking pop for several years now. My beverage of choice is tea. I always enjoy starting my day with a hot cup of tea no matter what the weather; even if it is 90 degrees out. I have been drinking H&S Teas for several years now. I enjoy a variety of flavors and during the summer I enjoy making Sun Tea; something my mother always did. Whether I am working at home, around the house or just taking time to relax I always have a cup of tea on hand. And, I will use the same teabag throuhgout the day; something my father did when he drank tea.
Deborah
I have gone nearly soda free after being a drink a bottle of coca cola a day. Still occasionally have a soda, but now I just drink my various teas, going back and forth from herbal to tea.
I have gone nearly soda free after being a drink a bottle of coca cola a day. Still occasionally have a soda, but now I just drink my various teas, going back and forth from herbal to tea.
Lynn
One thing my GI doc tells me about soda is that it can cause polyps in the colon. Polyps can become cancer if not removed. Not a problem with tea.
One thing my GI doc tells me about soda is that it can cause polyps in the colon. Polyps can become cancer if not removed. Not a problem with tea.
Debbie
I have always loved tea and more so since I discovered Harney Teas as well as a few others several years ago and realized that there is great quality tea out there and not just the grocery store tea ‘dust’. I enjoy the quality of Harney teas and the wide variety of flavors. I am a heart patient and had cut way back on diet soda but wanted to quit altogether, now I drink Harney iced tea most of the day, still need my cups of hot tea later in the day or evening but I don’t miss soda a bit and feel so much better for it. Thanks Harney & Sons Tea!
I have always loved tea and more so since I discovered Harney Teas as well as a few others several years ago and realized that there is great quality tea out there and not just the grocery store tea ‘dust’. I enjoy the quality of Harney teas and the wide variety of flavors. I am a heart patient and had cut way back on diet soda but wanted to quit altogether, now I drink Harney iced tea most of the day, still need my cups of hot tea later in the day or evening but I don’t miss soda a bit and feel so much better for it. Thanks Harney & Sons Tea!
Patricia Diana Folk
This is a very helpful article, I never knew white tea and matcha are higher in caffeine than black tea.
I love your Tower of London tea with a little 2% milk and a half teaspoon of raw sugar. Wonderful and relaxing.
Tower of London
This is a very helpful article, I never knew white tea and matcha are higher in caffeine than black tea.
I love your Tower of London tea with a little 2% milk and a half teaspoon of raw sugar. Wonderful and relaxing.
Tower of London
Pamela
My introduction to tea was in my teens. The custom was to have a cup of tea after dinner. Since our retirement my husband and I enjoy a cup with lunch then again in late afternoon.
My introduction to tea was in my teens. The custom was to have a cup of tea after dinner. Since our retirement my husband and I enjoy a cup with lunch then again in late afternoon.
PJ
I have a wide variety of black loose leaf teas from Harney & Sons. Brewed strong and sweetened with white sugar, they’re delicious with mild, room temperature deli cheeses.
However, I also love classic sodas and espresso brewed from home-ground artisan coffee beans. Naturally flavored sparkling mineral waters round out my collection.
None of the other beverages mentioned have caused health or weight issues, so there’s no reason for me to give them up. All of them co-exist peacefully with your fine teas.
Using several types of decorative teaware, I brew and drink tea for pleasure only, not for medicinal purposes.
I have a wide variety of black loose leaf teas from Harney & Sons. Brewed strong and sweetened with white sugar, they’re delicious with mild, room temperature deli cheeses.
However, I also love classic sodas and espresso brewed from home-ground artisan coffee beans. Naturally flavored sparkling mineral waters round out my collection.
None of the other beverages mentioned have caused health or weight issues, so there’s no reason for me to give them up. All of them co-exist peacefully with your fine teas.
Using several types of decorative teaware, I brew and drink tea for pleasure only, not for medicinal purposes.