Tea vs Coffee: Which One Is Healthier?

When you’re choosing your daily brew—tea or coffee—you’re not just picking a flavor. For centuries, people have debated which one is better for your health. In Europe, tea once faced skepticism similar to coffee’s early reputation. But is there real evidence that one is healthier than the other? And what does history—and science—actually say?

Quick answer: A 1700s twin experiment found the tea-drinking brother lived to 87, the coffee-drinker to 83—but a 1999 Scottish study warned tea’s flavonoids might harm cells. Meanwhile, a U.S. study showed tea drinkers had a 44% lower heart attack risk, while more coffee correlated with lower death risk. Verdict? Both have pros and cons.

The Origins of the Tea vs Coffee Debate

When tea first arrived in Europe, not everyone trusted it. During the reign of Swedish King Gustav III in the 18th century, public opinion was split: some hailed tea as a miraculous Eastern tonic, while others condemned it—like coffee—as addictive and harmful.

The Infamous Twin Experiment

King Gustav III decided to test these claims firsthand. He took a pair of identical twins imprisoned for life and commuted their death sentences under one condition: the older brother had to drink five cups of tea daily, the younger five cups of coffee—every day, for life. The king wanted to see which drink caused more harm. Surprisingly, the tea-drinking twin lived to 87; the coffee drinker made it to 83. While both outlived average life expectancy at the time, the king concluded that both beverages were safe—though perhaps tea had a slight edge.

1990s Studies: Conflicting Results

Fast forward to 1999. The Liberation Daily published an article titled “Drinking Tea Is Not Better Than Drinking Coffee,” quoting a Scottish professor who criticized the notion that tea was healthier. His research indicated that the flavonoids in black tea—compounds also found in fruits and vegetables—could damage cells and potentially contribute to heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

But that wasn’t the whole story. Another U.S. study from around the same time offered different results: people who drank at least one cup of tea per day had a 44% lower risk of heart attack compared to non-tea drinkers. Meanwhile, a ten-year study led by Scotland’s Dr. Tunstall tracked 11,000 Scots aged 40 to 59. It found that the more coffee participants drank, the lower their risk of heart disease and death—while the opposite trend appeared with tea.

What Does This Mean for Coffee and Tea Drinkers Today?

Historical experiments and decades-old studies can’t give us definitive answers, but they do highlight how perceptions of tea and coffee have shifted. Tea was once feared as dangerous, then championed as medicinal, and later suspected of causing cellular harm. Coffee, meanwhile, went from being demonized to linked with reduced mortality and heart risk in some studies. Neither drink is a miracle cure—and both have complex effects on health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the twin experiment prove tea is better than coffee?

No. The 18th-century Swedish experiment showed the tea-drinking twin lived to 87 and the coffee-drinker to 83, but both outlived typical life expectancy. King Gustav III concluded both drinks were safe, with a slight hint that tea might be better—but the sample size was just two people, making it anecdotal, not scientific proof.

What did the Scottish professor say about tea in 1999?

A Scottish professor cited research claiming that tea’s flavonoids—compounds that can be beneficial in some contexts—might damage cells and contribute to heart disease, stroke, and cancer. However, this claim was not universally accepted and stood in contrast to other studies.

Didn’t a U.S. study say tea reduces heart attack risk?

Yes. A U.S. study found that people who drank one or more cups of tea per day had a 44% lower risk of heart attack than those who didn’t drink tea. That suggests potential cardiovascular benefits from regular tea consumption.

What did the Scottish study find about coffee and death risk?

Dr. Tunstall’s ten-year study of 11,000 Scots aged 40–59 found that higher coffee consumption correlated with a lower risk of heart disease and death. In contrast, more tea drinking showed the opposite trend in that particular research.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Tea & Coffee Lovers

For those torn between tea and coffee, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for a tea-like floral and juicy profile with notes of bergamot and stone fruit—perfect for filter brewing. Pair it with Yirgacheffe for bright citrus and jasmine tones, or go deeper with PWN Golden Mandheling, offering a syrupy body and spicy sweetness. All three highlight the complexity that makes specialty coffee and tea so compelling. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.