11 Evidence-Based Facts: Coffee vs Tea Health Benefits Compared

9. How preparation and additives change benefits

The health effects seen in studies usually reflect plain or lightly prepared tea and coffee. In real life, many cultural preparations add milk, sugar, spices, or condensed milk—each of which changes the nutritional outcome. Masala chai adds spices with their own benefits, but often includes sugar and milk that raise calorie and fat content. Filter coffee with a dash of sugar or a heavy sludge of milk alters the beverage’s metabolic effect. Evidence suggests that heavy sweetening or calorie-dense additions can blunt or reverse the positive associations seen with plain coffee or tea. If you enjoy traditional flavours, small adjustments—less sugar, lighter milk, or a shorter steep—can preserve the sensory joy while keeping health advantages. For example, use a modest teaspoon of jaggery, shorter brew times for strong teas, or skim/plant milk options to reduce saturated fat while keeping flavour.