Americans love coffee, and the British love tea; both have their benefits

Coffee or Tea in the Morning: Which is the Better Choice? The answers may surprise you based on expert research.

For many people, a caffeinated beverage is part of their morning ritual. This is most commonly coffee or tea, two drinks that are very popular, especially at the beginning of the day. But if you’re concerned about overall wellness, you might be wondering whether either drink is better for you. We asked dietitians to help us determine the better morning drink and the effects each beverage has on the body.

Benefits of Drinking Coffee

If you enjoy coffee, you'll be happy to learn that it has many advantages. According to registered dietitian Maddie Pasquariello, MS, RDN, "brewed coffee provides antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid and other polyphenols." Additionally, as Pasquariello points out, antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals to shield the body from cellular damage. This could lower the chance of developing long-term illnesses like cancer and heart disease.

"The antioxidants in coffee can also support brain health, metabolic function, and liver detox pathways," explains registered dietitian Samantha Peterson, MS, RD. Even the caffeine in coffee has some health benefits, as it can help protect against inflammation, according to Pasquariello.

Are you prepared for a plot twist? No beverage is better than tea or coffee in the morning. "Overall, the difference between swapping tea for coffee or vise versa won't make a huge difference when it comes to your overall health, with all else being equal," Pasquariello says.

You can get more polyphenols and caffeine from black coffee than from black or green tea, but nutrition is more complicated. “Your health is so much more than habits and components,

How to Choose

How do you decide between coffee and tea if neither beverage is technically superior? Peterson suggests taking into account things like energy stability, mood, focus, digestion, and sleep quality. "It's less about one being 'right' and more about honoring your unique needs," she says.

For example, if you need a stronger cognitive kickstart or you're engaging in high-intensity mental or physical work in the morning, coffee might be the way to go. That's because it offers a more immediate energy boost, per Peterson. "It's also a great option for those who metabolize caffeine well and don't experience negative side effects like anxiety, digestive upset, or disrupted sleep," she says.

Tea, in contrast, gives a calmer, longer-lasting energy boost. If coffee makes you jittery, or you find it difficult to drink, this may be the better option.