Coffee Alternatives With Caffeine
We’ve all heard the saying that too much of something good can be dangerous, right? Some people think an exception to this piece of common knowledge is coffee. While a properly brewed cup will give you the push you may need to kickstart your day, drinking too much coffee can cause various health issues. In light of this revelation, we’ve put together a list of healthier alternatives that still contain caffeine, albeit in smaller amounts.
Why You Should Take a Break From Coffee
Some individuals feel the need to go to the bathroom immediately after drinking coffee. For others, coffee makes their heart race. Some suffer from caffeine withdrawal, making it difficult to start the day energized without having a cup or two of coffee. There are many reasons why people don’t like coffee or may want to cut back–whatever the case, it might be a good idea to consider what to drink if you don’t like coffee to kickstart your day.
What Are Viable Alternatives to Coffee?
- Black Tea
This is one of the best alternatives to coffee. The good news is that unlike coffee, which may sometimes take ages to brew, it only takes a couple of minutes to make yourself a cup of tea. Just like coffee, you can add milk and or sugar to soften or sweeten the flavor.
One of the advantages of black tea is that it contains antioxidants, which have a number of health benefits, including glowing skin. Additionally, you’re most likely to experience the energy boost from this tea throughout the day as opposed to just a few hours with coffee.
- Matcha
Match is a type of black tea that is packed with more caffeine. Black tea and matcha share some similarities; however, matcha is grown in the shade, which helps it have more L-theanine. Like tea, L-theanine gives you an energy boost throughout the day.
Additionally, when preparing matcha tea, the leaves are used in the concoction, which means you’ll be getting more of its natural benefits.
- Yerba Mate
Primarily grown in South America, mate has a lot of health benefits while still packing as much caffeine as coffee. With yerba mate, however, you have to watch out for the quantity you consume. This is especially true if you experience side effects when you drink coffee, as you will most likely have the same reactions with this beverage.
- Cocoa
One of the allures of cocoa is that you can drink it at room temperature or hot. It’s made from the cocoa plant and has a lot of benefits, including being an antioxidant, and is rich in essential minerals. Unlike coffee, it stimulates your brain only slightly, but is strong enough to give the same kind of buzz you get from coffee.
- Guayusa
This drink comes from the Guayusa plant and is similar to yerba mate–however, it contains less caffeine. Most people find it more palatable than yerba mate and consider it a healthier alternative to coffee. Moreover, guayusa contains more antioxidant properties than green tea–the only downside is that it’s not nearly as easy to find.
Non-Caffeinated Alternatives to Coffee
In addition to caffeinated options to coffee, there are many suitable non-caffeinated alternatives. Most of these are made from herbs and roots, such as ginseng tea. Other teas include sage, rosemary, and rhodiola rosea, among other ingredients.
Of course, to enjoy more health benefits–including colon cleansing and healthy skin–you should consider drinking fresh juices or naturally flavored water.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of the side effects brought about by coffee, you should consider kickstarting your day by drinking healthier alternatives. You don’t have to give up coffee altogether, but you should drink it in moderation and substitute some days of the week with healthier caffeinated and non-caffeinated alternatives. You should also consider speaking to a nutritionist if you’re still on the fence about the benefits of taking a break from coffee.
Not ready to give up your daily cup of joe and ready to upgrade your coffee machine? Take a look at our recent Jura ENA 4 review.
