Coffee or tea?! Which would you choose? ⠀
Lately, I have been on a tea kick – Green, Hibiscus, Earl Grey – you name it – I’ve probably have been having a cup most days of the week. And really, you can reasonably argue that both have equally positive health benefits. ⠀
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Tea, for example, is rich in antioxidants, and in a recent study, it was found that tea drinkers were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to their peers. ⠀
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Coffee, on the other hand, has had some promising findings in the area of gut microbiome health – which also can influence your cardiovascular disease risk and your overall immune system health. ⠀
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No matter which one you choose – it’s vital to keep in mind HOW MUCH tea and coffee you are consuming every day due to caffeine. Caffeine sensitivity is more common than one might think (estimated to be about 10% of the population), and most people don’t even know they have it – or that it could be the cause a variety of symptoms – like headaches, anxiety or heart palpations. Genetics, medications, and sex can all influence the risk of you being sensitive to caffeine. Besides tea and coffee, caffeine is also found in cacao beans (chocolate- my fav), and kola nuts (the ingredient they use to make cola). ⠀
For me, I found out that I was sensitive to caffeine after I became a mom. I know, tragic. I mean, I use to drink SO MUCH coffee and tea daily just to make it through the day – and I would still feel exhausted most of the time.
However, after my anxiety started to increase, I started having a hard time sleeping, and my heart would sometimes do a “flip-flop,” I started looking for answers. After completing food sensitivity testing (the MRT) and utilizing my mindful eating practices, I began to become more aware of what drinks, foods, and chemicals (like caffeine) I was actually consuming daily and how it was making my body feel. I found that caffeine was the main culprit that affected my energy and my stress level. Over time, I was able to determine a “safe” amount for me to consume – which equals out to be about 1 cup of tea or coffee daily. (continued in comments..)
