Research in Asian populations<\/a> found a similar effect, with people who drink five cups of coffee a day seeing as much as a 28 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality.<\/p>\n Polyphenols in coffee are thought to offer serious health benefits.<\/p>\n These antioxidant-rich micronutrients protect against things like inflammation and oxidative stress, which contribute to a wide array of ailments, from cardiovascular disease to neurodegenerative conditions.<\/p>\n Caffeine may offer similar effects, although these vary more dramatically from person to person.<\/p>\n Green tea is the other steamy big hitter, with a solid base of evidence to support the hype. Again, research<\/a> shows that regular consumption leads to reductions in the risk of cancer, heart disease<\/a> and all-cause mortality.<\/p>\n And again, it\u2019s polyphenols doing the heavy lifting, with one \u2013 epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) \u2013 sometimes singled out. A large 2025 meta-analysis<\/a> found that regular consumption of EGCG could even prevent some cancers.<\/p>\n If you prefer black tea, as many of us in Western countries do, know that it\u2019s generally considered less potent than either coffee or green tea \u2013 but there are still health benefits at the bottom of your mug.<\/p>\n Research has shown that black tea can reduce blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, and regular consumption is also linked to slower cognitive decline in later years.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a more modest effect on all-cause mortality, but one study<\/a>, again using UK Biobank data, found that if you drink more than two cups of tea a day, your risk is reduced by 9 to 13 per cent.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, researchers have largely debunked the myth that adding milk to your tea undoes the health benefits.<\/p>\n There are other drinks, too. Herbal teas typically have strong polyphenol profiles, and some have been shown to be effective in specific aspects of health.<\/p>\n Peppermint tea<\/a> can reduce IBS symptoms, for example. Chamomile tea<\/a> has been linked to improved sleep<\/a> quality when it\u2019s taken regularly. And hibiscus tea<\/a> has shown promise for reducing blood pressure.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, science has yet to fully investigate whether a traditional hot toddy is actually any good for cold symptoms.<\/p>\n The hot liquid may help clear nasal pathways, honey may suppress coughing and there\u2019s some evidence around vitamin C from the lemon. The whisky, however, is more what you might call \u2018subjectively medicinal\u2019.<\/p>\n This article is an answer to the question (asked by Jodie Whitehead, Wormington) ‘What’s the best hot drink for your health?’<\/p>\n To submit your questions, email us at questions@sciencefocus.com, or message our Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a>, or Instagram<\/a> pages (don’t forget to include your name and location).<\/p>\n Check out our ultimate fun facts<\/a> page for more mind-blowing science<\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n![\"Pouring](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/hot-drink-health-green-tea.jpg\")
Green tea can have benefits across a range of health conditions – Image credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n