For the record, we’re a coffee crowd here at RunCharlotte. But, sometimes that large Chick-fil-A tea hits just right, doesn’t it? And if you grew up down south, you probably know from sweet tea. Ditch all that sugar, and for the most part, you’re left with the energy drink that dates to 2700 BCE.
That’s a lot of history and a lot of time to study the effects tea has on a person. For centuries, the Chinese used tea as a medicinal beverage before it ever became a daily drink. Today, we have a pretty good grip on the science and nutrition that makes tea the real deal.
Tea Provides Protection
For starters, “tea contains polyphenols, known as catechins, which are antioxidants that can be beneficial for our health,” says Matt Dengler, dietician and owner of RxRD Nutrition. “Antioxidants prevent or delay cell damage and may play a role in the prevention of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.”
Good to know. And as you might suspect, or already know, not all teas are created equally. Dengler says green teas contains a higher amount of antioxidants compared to other kinds of tea, and research shows there is a positive link between green tea consumption and cardiovascular health.
Herbal teas may contain unique benefits. Peppermint tea contains menthol, which can help soothe an upset stomach and improve GI issues. Chamomile tea can be used to ease anxiety and act as a sleep aid, and ginger tea can help reduce inflammation and help with nausea and motion sickness.
Caffeine and tea
While tea contains caffeine, it does not contain as much as a cup of coffee. So if you’re looking for that “jolt” that coffee can deliver, tea falls a little short.
For reference:
- One 8-oz cup of coffee contains 95mg
- An equal amount of black tea contains 48mg
- An equal amount of green tea contains 29mg
- Most herbal teas contain very little caffeine
Compared to energy drinks, tea contains far less caffeine, says Dengler. Most 12-16oz contain between 200-300 mg of caffeine. Also, many energy drinks also contain added sugar, additives, and legal stimulants which can elevate heart rate and blood pressure.
Tea and performance
Research shows that green tea consumption may be beneficial for athletic performance, says Dengler.
Prolonged or high-intensity physical activity increases energy requirements in the body’s tissues, which in turn can induce muscle damage and cause fatigue. This is referred to as oxidative stress.
Due to a high amount of catechins, the consumption of green tea can be protective against oxidative stress which is normally produced during prolonged or high-intensity exercise. It’s tea for the win here.
While nothing’s perfect, tea has some distinct benefits for runners and endurance athletes. Canned or bottled teas with flavorings and sugars will outweigh most of the upshots of including tea in your routine. But brewing up some tea is not much more difficult than boiling water, and that’s a pretty low bar to hop for a performance and recovery boost that’s easy to swallow.
