Coffee is healthier than juice

The doctor advises parents to allow their children to drink caffeinated drinks because they may be healthier than juices.

Medical experts claim that eight cups of coffee per day can help in fighting heart diseases, that it improves the functioning of the brain and prolongs life. The effect is the same whether the caffeine comes from the tea or coffee.

Expert in the field of nutrition, Carrie Ruxton, said that she investigated 47 caffeine studies and that she came to the conclusion that drinks with caffeine, such as tea and coffee, have a positive impact on health and a short-term memory, Daily Telegraph reports.

Previous research has identified the connection of antioxidants and drinks rich in flavonoids with prevention of heart diseases and the occurrence of certain types of cancer.

Ruxton says that the optimal daily caffeine intake of 400 mg is essential for the reduction of cardiovascular diseases. This was proven by three studies that included over 90,000 patients. Research included some patients who smoked and it was proven that the input of caffeine reduced their chances of getting heart attack by 20 percent.

- People who do not consume drinks with caffeine could miss a potential benefit for their health - says the doctor, and suggests that there is no need for parents to prevent their children from consuming tea and coffee. In fact, in some circumstances, they may be a better option than juice, she said.

- Drinks with caffeine are demonized for no reason. Black tea, for example, contains polyphenol, which is a natural antioxidant. This substance is useful in many biochemical processes in the body because it protects cells from harmful free radicals - Raxton warns.

German Green Cross says that coffee speeds up digestion process and that it protects the elderly from diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and liver cirrhosis.

Coffee contains a large number of other healthy ingredients, such as chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant that halves the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease.