It's no secret that many of us need a cup of coffee in the morning before starting our day, so it's easy to forget that coffee isn't the only beverage that contains caffeine. Sodas, tea, and energy drinks also contain this energizing compound. Science shows that moderate caffeine consumption can have many wonderful health benefits.
However, consuming too much can be harmful to you.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a natural stimulant most commonly found in tea, coffee, and cocoa plants. It works by stimulating the brain and central nervous system, helping you stay alert and prevent fatigue.
Coffee was reportedly discovered many years later by an Ethiopian shepherd who noticed the extra energy it gave his goats. Caffeinated soft drinks arrived on the market in the late 19th century, and energy drinks soon followed.
What is healthier, soda or coffee?
Some days, you just want to reach into the fridge for a bottle of ice-cold soda to get that sugar rush or add a little caffeine to your day. However, when it comes to its health benefits, you may have to think twice.
Studies have shown that consuming one can of soda per day, whether sugar-sweetened or diet, can increase a person's risk of stroke over time by 16 percent.
Although soda can help with basic hydration, it has little nutritional value and, therefore, isn't very beneficial for your health. Soft drinks also have incredibly high levels of sugar, which can lead to an increased risk of inflammation and a variety of other diseases and health problems.
When it comes to coffee versus soda, espresso definitely seems to be ahead due to the benefits of its caffeine levels. However, not all coffee is created equal. It depends on what you're making at home or what you're ordering at a local cafe. Whether you opt for a shot of espresso or a coffee on its own is definitely a healthier option.
However, let's not forget that there's a world of creamy coffees, sugary Frappuccinos, and enormous portions, where sugar reigns supreme and the calories can far outweigh the health benefits of caffeine.
Coffee has more health benefits than soft drinks.
When consumed in moderation, coffee has many health benefits. Drinking too much can lead to caffeine dependence and interfere with sleep. In moderation, many studies have shown that coffee:
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
- Reduces the risk of stroke
- Reduces the risk of liver cancer and liver disease
- Reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease
- It could protect against Alzheimer's disease
Continuing with the comparisons between soda and coffee, and the caffeine intake that can come from both beverages, if we compare it specifically with Coca-Cola, we see that coffee has a higher caffeine content. A 12-ounce cup of coffee has at least 140 mg of caffeine or more. That's about three to four times more caffeine than a soda.
You might be surprised to learn that diet soda actually contains more caffeine than its regular counterpart. According to Coca-Cola's website, the caffeine content of regular Coca-Cola is 34 mg per 12 oz can, while Diet Coke's caffeine content is 46 mg.
In summary
If you need something to keep you up late, choose wisely—a regular shot of espresso or an 8-ounce cup of brewed black coffee may be just the boost you need instead of a weaker beverage like soda.
When it comes to your health, both coffee and tea have health benefits that support free radicals and can prevent diseases such as Parkinson's, heart disease, liver disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, gallstones, and can also aid in weight loss.
Adding sugar, syrups, cream, or other sweeteners to your coffee will add calories and potential health risks. If you're looking for these things, tea is a great option to keep your sugar levels down. But if you're not a tea fan and coffee is your cup of tea, you can never go wrong with a pure black cup of coffee.