Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: Student Life

Media Credit: Erin Cooper // STAR

Coffee-a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans. Tea-a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water. The battle of coffee versus tea has seemed to go on for years. Every place has its tea drinkers and coffee drinkers. The reason being each individual has their own wants and needs they require from a drink. Coffee may be too strong for one person, while tea may be too weak for another. The caffeine content in the drinks is quite different. Green tea has only 30mg of caffeine while coffee contains 100mg. Though the levels of caffeine are noticeably different, tea boasts greater health benefits - especially Green tea. 

"Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one" is a very well known ancient Chinese proverb. Studies show that the Chinese used green tea long before our researchers and doctors undersootd its medical benefits. They used green tea to treat different ailments including headaches and depression. Green tea remains a staple of good mental and physical health. 

"The individuals who do buy coffee normally comment on how they are trying to lose weight or live a healthier life by buying green tea instead of coffee," said Java City employee Laura Cooper. Laura Cooper is a student at University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW). She works at the university coffee shop located in the library. "It seems people know green tea is better for them but very few college students are buying it," said Cooper. "It's not even the most popular tea we sell when we do sell tea." 

Though many individuals realize tea is the healthier choice, coffee is still the number one drink purchased at coffee shops. What many people may not realize is how much of a better choice green tea really is. "I've heard that green tea can help you lose weight, but that is all I really know it does for sure," said 75-year old Gloria Mullings.

Green tea has proven to help individuals lose weight if consumed three or more times daily, however there are many more health benefits.  Green tea has been found to help prevent and kill cancer cells, prevent rheumatoid arthritis, lower cholesterol levels, ameliorate and prevent cardiovascular disease, help the immune system, and heal infections faster. 

With the new rise in anti-aging creams and plastic surgery, one would think green tea would be the number one choice. Green tea has been linked to slowing the process of aging, yet many walk past it in the grocery stores and purchase coffee instead. Coffee, on the other hand, has been linked to making skin age faster because of the high amounts of caffeine.

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