I visited our local library last week and was surprised to see a cheerful sign at the door that invited patrons in for “Books and Brews!”
Not brews that may first come to mind. These were various teas and coffees lovingly prepared by librarians (another reason why I love our small town) for those of us who like to nestle with our computers in quiet corners.
When I asked for a chai spice tea sweetened with a small stick of honey (25 cents extra) the young lady behind the desk asked, ““Are you a tea drinker?”
“Yes, but I love coffee as well,” I admitted.
“Me, too!” she continued. “But this time of year, I really enjoy a nice cup of tea.”
Same. Especially when sniffles or sneezing come my way, I gravitate toward tea over my beloved coffee. And probably for good reason.
According to the Global Tea Institute at the University of California Davis, before tea was a common beverage, it was considered a medicine. In fact, these experts say that “tea plays a healthy role in maintaining the human body, mind, and spirit.”
A 2020 article in Frontiers in Immunology credits various substances in green and black teas (same plant, just different processing methods) with their role in boosting the body’s ability to ward off diseases and infections. Those include nutrients like zinc, copper and manganese as well as “bioactive” ingredients that enhance the immune system.
And the relaxation we feel when sipping tea? It’s real, due to substances such as theanine, an amino acid that can have a calming effect on the body and mind.
Coffee, too, has real benefits, according to a recent study published in Nature Biology involving almost 23,000 participants from the U.S and the U.K. These scientists tracked how three different levels of coffee drinking—less than 3 cups a year, up to 3 cups a day or more than 3 cups a day—correlated with the type or amount of certain bacteria in the gut (home to our microbiome).
They found that coffee intake stimulated the growth of 100-plus types of good bugs in the gut—especially one called L. asaccharolyticus. This beneficial gut bacteria was up to eight times more abundant in high coffee drinkers compared to those who rarely drank coffee.
And good news, these effects held true with both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees. These researchers attributed this change in microbes to the presences of polyphenols—antioxidant substances known for their role in stimulating a healthier mix of good gut bacteria.
So, take some time, if you choose, for a nice cup of tea or coffee. It just might bring you some peace and good will.
Barbara Intermill is a registered dietitian nutritionist and syndicated columnist. She is the author of “Quinn-Essential Nutrition: The Uncomplicated Science of Eating.” Email her at barbara@quinnessentialnutrition.com.