Hot beverages are enjoying the ‘good health’ spotlight more than ever lately, thanks to new research suggesting more pros than cons when it comes to the following drinks. According to studies conducted by Harvard University Medical School, both routine coffee and tea drinkers (minus added cream and sugar) are at lower risk for certain diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The benefits don’t stop there, let’s take a peep at some more pros a café may have to offer you:

Coffee: More Friend Than Foe?

So, what’s the real deal with coffee? For decades it was dubbed a health no-no, but various recent studies seem to debunk older ones, nudging coffee further toward the healthy food isle. More recent (and reliable) studies illustrate more benefits from drinking coffee than downfalls. While you should moderate caffeine intake, a cup of joe a day may be beneficial for many. Aside from containing disease-fighting flavonoids, coffee also contains potassium and manganese. It has been linked to lowering risk of developing certain conditions such as type 2 diabetes, gall stones and Parkinson’s disease. Check out our article on coffee and asthma to see how it may even help those with chronic respiratory issues.

The Benefits of Green and Black Tea

Tea of all kinds are quite rich in polyphenols, phytochemicals found in natural plant-based food sources that have disease-fighting antioxidant properties. Teas are shown to have anti-inflammatory properties as well. Studies have illustrated that regular tea drinking (in combination with a healthy overall lifestyle) may help with weight loss and cholesterol control. Tea in moderation doesn’t appear to have any ill health effects (except perhaps the jitters in those sensitive to caffeine), and fits into a healthy diet nicely. Green tea in particular has shown promise in reducing the risk of certain cancers such as bladder, breast, lung and stomach.

Benefits of Herbal Teas

Though research on herbal teas has been limited and generally inconclusive, certain herbal teas have shown promise when it comes to aiding health, for example:

• Oolong tea has linked to reducing cholesterol levels.
• Research suggests chamomile tea may help lower risk of developing certain types of cancer, as well as vision and kidney problems.
• Peppermint tea has anti-inflammatory effects and can help calm the intestinal tract, easing symptoms such as bloating and nausea (except for those who have GERD, peppermint can exacerbate that disorder).
• Ginger tea also helps calm a bad stomach.

Hot Cocoa? Yes Please!

Cocoa is a nutritional powerhouse. It is rich in flavonoids, magnesium, manganese, calcium and zinc. Cocoa can help aid cramps, lower the risk of heart disease, among many other health benefits. Notice we said “hot cocoa” and not “hot chocolate”, as many store-bought hot chocolates contain unhealthful ingredients that counteract the health benefits of cocoa. To really get the best health effects of this yummy beverage, use real cocoa, your favorite kind of milk and stevia to sweeten.
There you have it! Some good reasons to keep sipping your favorite hot beverages! Though, it is important to note that drinking tea or coffee alone won’t make you immune to developing the aforementioned diseases, however, combining these drinks with a healthy diet that is rich in produce and low in processed and red meat will definitely help lower your risk of developing disease. Thanks for visiting DocChat!