Are there any differences between the caffeine in tea and coffee?
Caffeine is caffeine. The only difference between the caffeine in tea and coffee is possibly the amount, and sometimes not even then. There are other differences between the two drinks, but it isn’t in the caffeine. Caffeine itself is a relatively benign substance. In excessive doses it can cause heart palpitations, upset stomach and insomnia. But it can also relax the airways in asthmatics during an attack, and it boosts the effect of pain relievers like asprin. And it is a relatively mild stimulant compared to most others. Caffeine may even help protect against Parkinson’s (according to a single, limited study.) Incidentally, tea turns out to have substances that may be good for you in various ways, including helping protect your teeth, believe it or not. It also has substances called flavonoids may help lower blood cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. (Actually there is more in chocolate.) It also has antioxidants (specifically, “polyphenols”) which theoretically may help prevent cance
