Khaberni - There are lists that include many foods and drinks along with lifestyle changes to stimulate the brain and prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but what always comes to mind first is which antioxidant drink benefits the brain more than others.
Many believe that starting the day with coffee is the best way to stimulate the brain and focus on work without feeling sleepy all day, while others believe that green tea is better as it boosts energy, detoxifies the body, and improves cognitive functions.
According to a report published by "Economic Times", a deep answer to this common question: Which is better for the brain: green tea or coffee? can be obtained through Dr. Robert Loewe, a neuroscientist, as he explains the benefits of the two drinks as follows:
Coffee: A Brain Stimulant in a Cup
Coffee is more than just a morning ritual; it can be a powerful ally for the brain. A cup of fresh, sugar-free coffee might be the only way to start the day. Research shows that regular coffee consumption is associated with decreased accumulation of plaques, which are considered key indicators of aging and a cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
Research published on "PubMed Central" titled "A Cup of Coffee for a Longer Brain Life", indicates that coffee contains more than 1000 bioactive compounds, including caffeine, polyphenols, antioxidants, and trigonelline, many of which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anticancer, and heart-protective effects.
Coffee might also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by up to 65% and Parkinson's disease by 29%. However, as there are advantages, there are also drawbacks. It can interfere with iron absorption, osteoporosis drugs, and even some antibiotics.
Green Tea: Cognitive Enhancer
Green tea is distinguished for its cognitive-boosting benefits, along with providing calming energy. A study titled "A Longitudinal Cohort Study Demonstrating the Positive Impact of Moderate Green Tea and Coffee Consumption on Dementia Prevention" concluded that consuming 2-3 cups daily significantly reduces the risk of cognitive decline, specifically a decrease of 44% compared to non-tea drinkers.
However, this effect was observed only in the elderly, while no notable effect was observed in the entire sample that included younger individuals. It is noteworthy that consuming green tea excessively is not necessarily better, and higher doses of green tea (4 cups or more) did not enhance the benefits.
Benefits of Coffee
According to Dr. Robert Loewe, coffee enhances cognitive ability, increases focus, strengthens memory, and increases attention span. It is also rich in polyphenols, which give coffee its dark color and are a great addition to gut health, as a healthy gut microbiome is closely linked to improved brain functions.
Organic Coffee
One piece of advice from Dr. Robert Loewe remains: choose organic coffee to avoid exposure to pesticides commonly found in traditional coffee beans, and prepare it with fluoride-free, distilled, or reverse osmosis water to reap the best benefits.
Advantages of Green Tea
As for green tea, Dr. Robert Loewe says it helps with energy balance since it contains caffeine but also includes L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm and relaxation. It is also beneficial for gut health and contains polyphenols, like coffee that supports gut health and feeds the brain (through the gut-brain axis).
Which is better?
Both coffee and green tea offer strong benefits, but coffee can be more stimulating, while green tea provides smoother and calmer energy. Ultimately, Dr. Loewe emphasizes that the best choice is what a person enjoys and suits them.
