I Swapped Coffee for Green Tea and The Results Have Been Life-Changing

Danielle Sinay
·7-min read

A few weeks ago, I did an "elimination diet" and removed everything inflammatory from my diet for 21 days. Once it ended, I slowly added foods back in to evaluate what was hurting my stomach, and while I could continue eating dairy (phew!), I was horrified to learn that my body could no longer handle coffee.

Not just couldn't handle it; my morning latté was making me sick. No matter the type—I tried half-caf, decaf, espresso, and so many types of milk I still can't keep count—coffee was the one common denominator that never ceased to make me feel queasy.

It was devastating, but I still needed caffeine. So, I went to my local grocery store and grabbed the only other caffeinated beverage I knew and loved: Green tea. I lamented to my father over text—"Green tea's just not the same"—because despite being caffeinated, tea just never gave me the buzz that coffee did. Alas, it's not like I had a choice.

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It's sbeen over a month since CoffeeVsGreenTeaGate, and I'm pleased to report that I literally don't miss coffee at all—in fact, I don't think I'd go back to drinking it again even if I could. Why? I feel so, so much better on my green tea caffeine kick than I ever did with coffee. It might not give me that same "buzz," but it's because the energy I do feel is healthy and sustainable, as opposed to the high anxiety-inducing highs and low-lows I'd get drinking coffee. Plus, I can actually fall asleep at night!

Another one of the best green tea benefits? I genuinely like the taste of it solo, while I had to add Stevia, at least one type of milk, and foam to my coffee if I wanted to enjoy it while I sipped. This saves me quite a few calories (or points, since I'm on Weight Watchers) every single morning, which I definitely don't mind.

Related: Here's What Exactly Happens to Your Body When You Drink Herbal Tea Every Day

Intrigued by my experience, I asked a registered dietitian why my body might prefer green tea to coffee as much as it does. Ahead, see everything to know about green tea benefits vs. coffee benefits, nutritional differences between the two, which is better for energy and mental alertness, and more.

Nutritional Differences Between Green Tea and Coffee

Coffee and green tea benefits

"When consumed in moderation, both coffee and tea boast multiple health benefits, since both contain antioxidants, caffeine, vitamins, and minerals," Kathleen Moore, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells Parade. "Both green tea and coffee contain high amounts of a group of antioxidants called polyphenols."

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"Coffee contains the polyphenol called chlorogenic acid (CGA) while green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), green tea polyphenols (GPT= EC, EGC, EGCG, ECG), along with l-theanine," Moore tells Parade. "Antioxidants are important in protecting cells from damage that naturally occurs as cells age and are exposed to toxins."

Coffee benefits

There are also some studies that suggest the CGA in coffee may help protect against liver, endometrial, and skin cancer, as well as help regulate triglycerides and how the body responds to insulin, Moore adds.

Green tea benefits

Alternatively, epidemiological studies on green tea are promising with head and neck tumors, lung, prostate, breast, colorectal, endometrial, and pancreatic cancers, Moore says: "Green tea is also associated with reduced risk of stroke and diabetes, as well as increase growth of beneficial gut bacteria with ingestion."

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Studies also show green tea may improve blood pressure a few notches and reduce cholesterol, she adds.

Related: Drinking This Delicious Beverage Could Help You Burn More Calories During a Workout, Science Shows

How much caffeine is in green tea vs coffee

"In one eight-ounce cup of coffee there is approximately 90 mg of caffeine, while in the same volume of green tea, there is 45 milligrams of caffeine," says Moore. However, it's easier to control how much caffeine goes into your tea, since you can brew it for longer or shorter depending on your preference.

Energy and Mental Alertness: Which One is Better?

Comparing green tea to coffee when it comes to health is sort of like comparing apples and oranges, but we can try. According to Moore, a moderate amount of coffee (so less than four cups) daily has been found to help with memory and alertness from the caffeine and antioxidant components. "Caffeine also increases alertness and athletic performance," she says.

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On the contrary, green tea may help with stress management, sleep and mental health, she continues: "L-theanine in 6.8 ounces of green tea is shown to improve calm mental state, and studies show reduced depression," she explains.

Related: Here’s What Happens to Your Body if You Put Half-and-Half in Your Coffee Every Day

Weight Loss: Green Tea vs. Coffee for Fat Burning

Which is better for weight loss? "Caffeine stimulates adrenaline which can help break down fat, decrease appetite and improve physical activity," says Moore, and since both contain caffeine, they can theoretically both help.

However studies suggest that coffee alone, without added sugar, high-fat cream, and artificial flavorings or sweeteners; may have a more significant impact on weight loss compared to green tea because of its higher caffeine content, Moore clarifies.

Still, many ingredients in green tea have functions that may facilitate weight loss when paired with exercising, eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, practicing relaxation, and getting enough sleep: "The key ingredients are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and green tea polyphenols, along with l-theanine," Moore explains. "These flavonoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help detoxify cells, protect healthy cell growth, and reduce inflammation."

Related: Here are 50 Reasons You Should Be Drinking Green Tea

What's more, some preliminary results show increased leptin (fullness hormone) increased visceral fat breakdown with green tea.

They have something else in common, too: "In my practice, I see participants losing weight by swapping sugary drinks with coffee, tea, and/or water," Moore says.

Potential Side Effects and Downsides

"As with many things, moderation is key: some is good, and more is not necessarily better," says Moore. "Because coffee has more caffeine, it theoretically gives more energy; however, regular consumption can lead to tolerance which may prompt some to drink more."

What's more, she adds, is that drinking more than four cups (or 400 miiligrams of caffeine) is associated with health risks like heart issues, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. "This temporary boost in energy can also bring on a 'crash' for some as the caffeine wears off," she explains.

Related: This Is What Happens to Your Body When You Drink More Than One Cup of Coffee Every Day

There can be more downsides if you drink coffee or tea with too much sugar, creamers, or flavors, she adds. "Adding a splash of your favorite milk, or a small amount of real cream is fine with coffee but may counteract some of the flavonoids in green tea."

As for what you should do now? "Sit down, relax and enjoy your tea and coffee," Moore concludes. "Who knows? Perhaps the benefits are enhanced when you sip while relaxed, calm and free of distractions." Such has been the case for me, at least.

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