Is tea really healthier than coffee?

YuanJia131

The commonality between coffee and tea is that both contain caffeine.

Caffeine itself is a xanthine alkaloid, which serves as a potent neurotoxin for small insects, thereby protecting the plant and acting as an insecticide.

For humans, caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, providing short-term alertness.

Tea contains theobromine, which is similar to caffeine and also acts as a stimulant, though it is milder than caffeine. Additionally, theanine found in tea leaves is another gentle and long-lasting anti-fatigue substance.

Simply put, the stimulant in coffee is caffeine alone, while tea contains both caffeine and "caffeine-like" substances such as theophylline, theanine, and theobromine, which have more complex effects.