Is Green Tea Healthier Than Black Tea? - Green Tea Quiz

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As the fermented drink Kombucha has continued to become more and more popular in the health community, the main component in its composition, fermented black tea, has seen a rise in popularity as well.

While black tea has been heralded for its antioxidant properties and its innate ability to reduce LDL cholesterol levels (as shown in an article published by the National Institute of Health), many consumers wonder if they're making the right choice in the age-old battle between black tea and green tea.

In this article, we've done the research for you and have compiled a list of five reasons explaining why green tea is in fact a healthier choice when considering which tea you should be brewing.

5 Reasons Why Green Tea is Healthier

1. Stronger Antioxidant Properties

Green and black tea are made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. In fact, the only true difference between the two beverages is that black tea has gone through the process known as fermentation.

As such, they both contain many of the same antioxidant properties, including catechins, theaflavins, and thearubigins, which go a long way in promoting overall health and wellness.

However, as shown by an article published by the National Institute of Health, green tea also contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant linked to the inhibition of cancer cells, i.e., the reduction of amyloid plaque that builds up in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. The production of anti-fatigue toxins allows for continued stamina during strenuous activities.

2. Contains Less Caffeine

Caffeine has been a no-fly zone for many in the health community for some time, and as knowledge and research deepen, caffeine's long-term negative effects on the body have become more and more pronounced. As such, minimizing the amount of caffeine consumed daily has become essential for most individuals concerned about their health. Green tea contains only 35mg of caffeine per serving, compared to the large range of caffeine that can be found in its fermented cousin. For example, black tea can carry anywhere from 39 to a whopping 109mg of caffeine in a single serving of 8 oz. cup!

However, Matcha, a form of powdered green tea, contains more caffeine than black tea due to its use of the entire tea leaf. As such, caffeine intake is relatively high when compared to regular green or black tea, with mg per serving size (1/2 teaspoon of powder to a full teaspoon of powder) ranging from 34 to 68mg.

Read the extensive article I have written about green tea and caffeine here.

3. Less Acidic

Like most plants, tea leaves have naturally low acidity levels, but the oxidation process (fermentation) performed to create black tea inherently boosts acidity within the tea leaf. As such, the increase in acidity inhibits black tea’s natural ability to efficiently detoxify the body, an ability that green tea retains. As such, green tea drinkers can experience a stronger immune system, a boosted metabolism, and even a brighter skin tone.

Beverages low in acidity also help balance the body's natural pH levels, which, in conjunction with being extremely rich in EGCG, means that green tea can be an excellent dietary tool for combating cancer cells and hindering their progression.

4. Clean Mouth, Clean Body

Green tea is an excellent tool for continued dental care. It is a little-known fact that the catechins in green tea have been shown to be responsible for the death of oral bacteria in tea drinkers. A recent medical study showed that catechins found in green tea and its extracts can inhibit the growth of Porphyromonas Gingivalis and even work toward reversing the effects of the gum disease gingivitis. Even further, due to the reduced presence of oral bacteria, many green tea drinkers have reported a reduction in the frequency with which they acquired the influenza virus. While the same can be said for black tea, the lack of fermentation makes for a more potent dosage of catechins.

Read more about how green tea is good for teeth.

5. Burns More Body Fat

If your waistline is in danger, then have no fear because it's catechins to the rescue! That's right, catechins are excellent fat burners. The potent dosage of EGCG in green tea helps inhibit an enzyme that breaks down the hormone norepinephrine, allowing norepinephrine to multiply, which creates a stronger signal that tells fat cells to break down fat rather than store it. With less fat being stored, the body has more energy and begins to shed fat at a more rapid pace. Based on this, it's no wonder the latest fitness craze involves weight-loss teas that just happen to contain green tea extract.

Read more about how green tea can help you lose fat.

Although green tea has won today's battle in deciding which tea is the healthiest, both green and black tea contain a plethora of chemical properties that can lead to increased health, wellbeing, and better functionality of the heart, brain, and liver. In place of traditional beverages like soda or coffee, you can't go wrong substituting green or black tea. That being said, if you're looking for the pinnacle of health drinks that just happen to be tasty, green tea is the way to go.