Coffee of tea? Hot or Cold?

With summer on the brink of arrival, it seems like hot coffee dispensers everywhere are gathering dust, jealous of cold delights like Frappuccinos and ice teas garnering all the attention. Of course, it’s obvious that chilled coffees and teas are selling out quicker as the heat rises, but what about the health benefits of each brew and each temperature?

While both coffees and teas do have similar nutritional benefits (including disease-combating antioxidants), the temperatures in which they are consumed have varying perks. Coffee, when served as a cold brew rather than hot, releases acidic oils that prove beneficial for your stomach, because cold coffee possesses more alkaline, a substance which helps the body and digestive system remain in a more stable condition – the same goes for iced teas. Iced tea both replenishes your body’s natural fluid levels, and drinking it unsweetened increases your body’s intake of “essential nutrients and compounds”, according to SF Gate. Both coffee and tea have manganese, a nutrient which supports bone health and a steady metabolism, but you might want to consider a more tea-oriented drink routine over coffee if you suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes, since tea contains more manganese per serving as well as less caffeine when served cold. Along with the added nutritional benefits, both drinks are best served (and flavored) with healthier alternatives like dairy-free milks and creamers, especially nut-based milks like almond and cashew. But, make sure you purchase the unsweetened varieties, for the added sugars pack both unwanted and unnecessary calories.

So, which cold drink will you treat yourself to this summer?

By Arielle Tipa