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Ryoga

I Replaced Coffee With Green Tea and Black Tea for 30 Days

Updated: Dec 21, 2023


An Illustration of a cup of black tea, green tea, and black coffee


Have you ever pondered the idea of swapping your daily coffee for tea? If yes, then you're about to embark on an exciting journey with me. In this article, we will delve into the world of green and black teas and their potential benefits over coffee. Buckle up, folks, and let's brew some knowledge!



Context


Being an ardent coffee lover, previously, I experimented impact of caffeine detox for 30 days, and this time I experimented with replacing coffee with green and black tea for an entire month. The motivation behind this was a blend of curiosity and the intriguing benefits associated with tea.



Benefits of Green and Black Tea


Before we dive into the adventure, let's understand why I chose these two types of tea. Both green and black tea have a plethora of benefits, including:



  1. Kill Bacteria in the mouth and prevent bad breath

  2. Reducing bad odor and improving body odor

  3. Enhancing metabolism for weight management

  4. Boosting heart health

  5. Improving the immune system

  6. Enhancing brain health

  7. Reducing the risk of cancer


Notably, green tea contains a higher amount of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant, than black tea.



Benefits of Coffee: Why We Love It


Don't get me wrong. I didn't decide to swap coffee because it's bad. Coffee has its own set of benefits, making it a beloved beverage for millions. These include:



  1. Rich in chlorogenic acids, which are potent antioxidants

  2. Contains various polyphenols, including flavonoids

  3. Improves mood and mental function

  4. May reduce the risk of certain cancers

  5. It may lower the risk of stroke



The Caffeine Factor


The universal love for coffee can be attributed to caffeine, which is known to improve mood, increase alertness, and even enhance physical performance. Regular coffee consumption is often associated with increased cognitive function and a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.



The Adventure Begins


Now that we've got our facts straight, let's jump into my month-long tea-drinking experiment.



Week 1: A New Brew


The first week was all about adjusting to the new routine. The soothing aroma of green tea was a pleasant surprise, and the taste was refreshingly different. However, I did miss my regular coffee. At this point, I didn't notice any significant changes.





Week 2: Acclimatizing to the Change


By the second week, I had gotten used to this replacement, but still missed coffee sometimes. One of the key things I noticed was the freshness in my breath post-drinking tea, which was lacking after a cup of coffee. I had sometimes experienced uncomfortable mouth conditions and bad breath after drinking coffee. This was a fascinating result of the experiment because I sometimes drink coffee at the cafe before meeting people if I arrive early. Then I need to rinse my mouth or drink water to prevent 'bad breath.' However, having tea before meeting people does not create uncomfortable mouth conditions, and I noticed that even drinking green tea or black tea makes my breath smell better. (Well, we can't really smell our breath or odor as much as when we smell others, so I won't claim incredibly good breath, but certainly drinking tea didn't create uncomfortable mouth conditions.)



Week 3: A Shift in Preference


During the third week, I started having more black tea because I was away from home. The difficulty in finding green tea at cafes and restaurants led me to try black tea. Personally, I find black tea more enjoyable, while green tea is fresher than black tea. At this stage, there were no further noticeable differences.



Week 4: The Final Stretch


In the last week of the experiment, I confess I got bored of drinking tea and missed coffee a lot. Yet, I stuck to my plan and completed the month.



Conclusion: Was It Worth It?


Did green tea or black tea improve my odor and enhance my brain health? Honestly, I have no clue! I hope it made me smell better than Sauvage by Dior. But one significant difference I noticed was an improvement in my oral health. Drinking tea kept my mouth fresh and free from bad breath, which was a common issue post-coffee consumption. So, if you have a habit of drinking coffee and care about your breath condition before meeting someone, it's better to choose tea over coffee.



Life Post-Experiment


After 30 days of abstinence, I finally savored my favorite cup of coffee, and it was nothing short of a celebration for my taste buds. However, the experiment made me appreciate the taste and benefits of both green and black tea. Especially when dining out or meeting someone, I now prefer ordering tea over coffee due to its oral health benefits.


In conclusion, while coffee remains a favored beverage for many, including myself, it was enlightening to explore the world of tea. Its unique flavors and health benefits make it a worthy contender as a daily drink. So, if you're up for a change or just curious, try tea, and who knows, you might find a new favorite!


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