These are the reasons you should consider switching from coffee to tea

We love coffee. It’s one of the most delicious and delightfully caffeinated beverages out there. But there’s more to the world of hot drinks than coffee. In fact, there’s one alternative in particular that might be better for you in the long run. We’re talking about switching from coffee to tea.

If you’re a dedicated coffee fan, this might be a hard fact to swallow, but bear with us. Your beloved espresso might not be as good for you as you always imagined, and there’s some science to back up this claim. Although coffee has some essential nutrients and is also known to reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes, there are some downsides of throwing back multiple lattes in a day, such as increased anxiety and trouble sleeping at night. Tea, on the other hand, isn’t as likely to give you these same problems. Hate to break it to ya, but you might be better off trading in your cappuccino for a black tea.

Here are nine reasons to consider switching from coffee to tea.

1You’ll stay awake longer

Everyone likes to think that coffee is the pinnacle of caffeine, but tea can provide you with plenty of energy, with some to spare. A serving of black tea contains between 14-70 mg of caffeine, while a cup of green tea has 24-45 mg. The best part is, you don’t have to worry about the dreaded caffeine crash — tea is much kinder and gentler than its jitter-inducing coffee counterpart, which means you might be able to go about your day longer than usual.

2Tea is rich in antioxidants

You can only eat so many blueberries before you need a change of pace, and tea is the perfect solution. Green tea is famous for its healing benefits, but many white teas are packed full of antioxidants that can fight off an assortment of health problems and leaving you feeling great. Do some experimenting and find out which blend packs the most punch while providing you with the flavors you crave.

3You’ll keep yourself better hydrated

Since tea is pretty much just water with dried leaves thrown in, you’ll be closer to reaching your daily amount of H20. All that added water will pump up your system and keep you in tip top condition, and anything that gets you drinking more water is a good move indeed. Besides, an excess amount of coffee (which is anymore than 3 cups) is known to dehydrate you, but the same amount of tea won’t rob you of fluids.

4Tea detoxifies your system

Certain tea blends are ideal for the person who wants to cleanse and get all that nasty stuff out of their system (particularly if you went a little wild this weekend when it comes to eating and drinking). Detoxify your body by opting for teas rich in antioxidants (as mentioned above). They’ll flush out the free radicals in your body, leaving you feeling healthier and looking fantastic.

5You’ll sleep better at night

In a study done at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, it was determined that people who down a lot of coffee have a harder time falling asleep at night. Those who had a taste for tea drifted off far more easily and had an overall better quality of sleep. Researchers believe it’s because of the amount of caffeine in these beverages, and how the body reacts to them. So sip some tea — even the caffeinated varieties — and you can still enjoy some sweet dreams.

6It can be a lifesaver — literally

Research has shown that people who regularly and consistently consume tea are at a lower risk for certain kinds of cancers and tumors. Although scientists haven’t quite worked out how or why this is so (a lot think it’s those antioxidants at work again), the medicinal properties of tea have been well established for thousands of years. Additionally, drinking tea has been linked to lower instances of diabetes and heart attacks. Who knew a little drink could pack such a big punch?

7It makes you feel better in the blink of an eye

For centuries, tea has been the drink we turn to when we’re feeling down in the dumps. Whether we’re upset about a rough day at work or fighting off the sniffles, a hot cup of tea (often with a liberal dose of honey) is the key to boosting your mood and leaving you feeling a little better about life in general. When you’re feeling sick or under the weather, you turn to tea to comfort you. Even without all those health benefits, tea is what you turn to when you need a boost — and with good reason. Is there anything quite as soothing as a hot cup of perfectly steeped tea?

8You can drink a lot of tea without much consequence

After a few cups of coffee, even the most dedicated fan feels jittery and off-balance. Tea is much gentler on the system, meaning you can down way more as you go through your day. Experts suggest you aim for about 6-8 cups of tea a day to reap all the health benefits your tea can offer.

9Tea won’t exacerbate anxiety or stress

Unfortunately, coffee can be troublesome for people who struggle with anxiety. It’s an extremely strong stimulant that reduces the levels of serotonin in your brain, leading to an increase of anxious thoughts. Your “fight or flight” response will kick, which could make you feel like you’re on the brink of an anxiety attack. Tea isn’t linked to this kind of stressful response the same way coffee is, so if you’re someone who lives with anxiety, you might want to consider throwing in the coffee towel.